MR. O'DONNELL AND THE HOME-RULE CONFERENCE. [TO THE EDITOR OF
THE " SPECTATOR.”]
SIR,—In reference to some editorial observations in your issue of last week, I have to assure you that one of the members of the Conference recently engaged in the loyal, wise, and necessary endeavour to introduce improved relations between the kingdom of Ireland and the Imperial Crown was, indeed, Mr. F. H. O'Donnell, " of the S'pectatur," according to the Manchester Guardian's report, and of several other journals to which he has the honour of giving an independent support. His solidarity with each of the organs of public opinion with which he has been or may be connected begins and ends of course with the extent to which his principles allow him to accept the duties that he is authorised to discharge. Any lower conception of an indepen- dent journalist's position would unquestionably be repudiated by the Spectator, and has never been entertained by yours, &c.,
F. HUGH O'DONNELL.
[We needed no explanation from Mr. O'Donnell to assure us absolutely that it was on no representation of his that he was apparently regarded by the Manchester Guardian as the represen- tative of this journal in the Home-Rule Conference. But with all our respect for him, which is very sincere, we thought it un- desirable that the disinterested support which our journal has given to the various changes included in Mr. Gladstone's pro- gramme of " justice to Ireland," should be misinterpreted into any leaning to the principles either of Home Rule or of Roman Catholi- cism, to which Mr. O'Donnell's earnest adhesion is well known, but with which, of course, it is quite impossible for this journal to feel any political or religious sympathy.—En. Spectator.]
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