indicate economic legislation which, though
sorely needed by Ireland, was hopelessly unattainable unless it could be
removed from the region of controversy. The _modus co-operandi_
suggested was as follows:--a committee sitting in the Parliamentary
recess, whence it came to be known as the Recess Committee, was to be
formed, consisting in the first instance, of Irish Members of Parliament
nominated by the leaders of the different sections. These nominees were
to invite to join them any Irishmen whose capacity, knowledge, or
experience might be of service to the Committee, irrespective of the
political party or religious persuasion to which they might belong. The
day had come, the letter went on to say, when "we Unionists, without
abating one jot of our Unionism, and Nationalists, without abating one
jot of their Nationalism, can each show our faith in the cause for which
we have fought so bitterly and so long, by sinking our party differences
for our country's good, and leaving our respective policies for the
justification of time."

Needless to say, few were sanguine enough to hope that such a committee
would ever be brought together. If that were accomplished some
prophesied that its members would but emulate the fame of the Kilkenny
cats. A severe blow was dealt to the project at the outset by the
refusal of Mr. Justin McCarthy, who then spoke for the largest section
of the Nationalist representatives, to have anything to do with it. His
reply to the letter must be given in full:--

MY DEAR MR. PLUNKETT,

I am sure I need not say that any effort to promote the general
welfare of Ireland has my fullest sympathy. I readily acknowledge
and entirely believe in the sincerity and good purpose of your
effort, but I cannot see my way to associate myself with it. Your
frank avowal in your letter of August 27th is the expression of a
belief that if your policy could be successfully carried out the
Irish people "would cease to desire Home Rule." Now, I do not
believe that anything in the way of material improvement conferred
by the Parliament at Westminster, or by Dublin Castle, could
extinguish the national desire for Home Rule. Still, I do not feel
that I could possibly take part in any organisation which had for
its object the seeking of a substitute for that which I believe to
be Ireland's greatest need--Home Rule.

Yours very truly,

JUS