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,