It is due to the first, because they believe that the change involves political apostasy, and an undue regard to political morality. An opportunity is now afforded you of justifying the change if you can. You may give us a new chapter on Ethics, headed thus:—“a change of principles proved to be morally wrong, but politically right.”
It is due to those who are under your influence and control. You may be enabled to give a reason for them, inasmuch as they cannot give one for themselves.
But you, doubtless, had your instructions from a certain Lord, who it is said, has subscribed a large sum to the fund to defray the expenses of the Radical Candidate.
Were your instructions imperative? If so, did you remonstrate with his Lordship? Did you not urge one plea in behalf of yourself, and another for those who must act upon your bidding. Had you not sufficient independence to tell the Lord that you had been, and that you were, a Conservative; that all the influence which your office gives you had previously been thrown into the Conservative scale; that you had taught those over whom you had been placed, and those with whom you were connected, Conservative Politics; that you could not stoop so low as to undo all that you had done; that you could not ask them to act contrary to their antecedents and convictions; and that your situation was at his Lordship’s disposal. If, Sir, you had done this, you would have been honoured in your last days, and you would have been spared the reproach that has now, I regret to say, fallen upon you.
But you may say my Lord is a Peer of the Realm, that his Lordship could not act so unconstitutionally, and that you ALONE are responsible. Be it so. Then it will make your case so much the worse. You may add that you took it upon yourself to canvass his Lordship’s Agents and Tenants, and that his Lordship did not wish to INFLUENCE them in giving their Votes, then the conclusion must be that you have EXCEEDED HIS LORDSHIP’S WISHES AND INTENTIONS.
Can you deny the part you have taken in this matter? Can you gainsay the charge that those who do not CHANGE WITH YOU MERIT YOUR HIGH DISPLEASURE; and that in one instance you have shewn it so unmistakeably that one of his Lordship’s Agents, who has held his situation for a period of 16 years, with a character unsullied, has thought it due to his honour and self-respect to give up his situation rather than lick the dust?
The names of those Clergymen who are under his Lordship’s patronage, and those Gentlemen connected with his Lordship’s Estates, who have boldly stood forth and declared their principles, notwithstanding your solicitations, will be ever mentioned with regard, respect, and esteem. The reproach will not fall upon them that in an hour of temptation they fell away from those principles which they had professed, and to which they do honour.
Waiting the favour of your public reply,
I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,