When he concluded his speech, a very neutral and non-com-
mittal resolution was proposed to the meeting, thanking Lord Hartington for his speech, and hoping that, " as the result of the full consideration which is being given to the Irish Question, both in and out of Parliament, such measures will be passed as will tend to the peace and prosperity of Ireland and Great Britain," a resolution carried with very few dissentients. On this resolution Lord Hartington commented very frankly, saying that it was to him very unsatisfactory, and that he would much rather have had the feeling of the meeting directly tested by a hostile amend ment,on a resolution of direct confidence in himself. As the leaders in the Liberal Association thought this course unwise, he was willing to defer to their view ; but he could not pretend that the resolution passed in any way satisfied him, as he had hoped to challenge a direct judgment on his conduct, and it was not his doing, but against his wish, that such a challenge was held back. In fact, Lord Harlington spoke out as frankly against the temporisers as good feeling and good breeding permitted him to speak of men who obviously wished to gain time before pre- cipitating a decision. Even in Lancashire, Lord Hartington's name, though it is a great power which will draw considerable support away from Mr. Gladstone, cannot wield a magic spell like that of the Prime Minister.
