Brian Condon: Letters and Documents in 19th Century Australian Catholic History

[Source: Adelaide Archdiocesan Archives copy. Unsigned, undated]

Has not Mr -- been always considered a sincere friend to the Emancipist party? Why then does he not vote for the Candidate selected by them? I trust I am, as every man should be who endeavours to regulate his conduct by the sacred principles of Religion, a friend to every class and to every individual of the Community but more especially to those who are oppressed, or exposed more than others to oppression, and I trust that I shall be found on all fit occasions most willing and ready to prove the sincerity of this friendship by my conduct. I am fully aware that the gentlemen for whom I intend to vote have been considered, in consequence of their connection with the league, as unfriendly and hostile to the latter class. I cannot however discover any solid ground for such a charge.

The object of the league is to prevent the continuance of transportation to this Colony, and all wise and good persons who have publicly spoken or written on the subject, acknowledge that object is a good one and greatly to the honour of that association. It may be truly said there are but few, if any, of its members that would not, by the early attainment of that object, be exposed to temporary but most serious inconvenience, whilst the persons who charge them with being influenced by motives of hostility to themselves are those who above all others are likely to receive immediate and permanent benefit from the successful termination of their efforts. It has been said the popular candidates are opposed to the Government. I reply that I do not believe either of these gentlemen capable of a hostile act, even an unfriendly opposition to the home or local Government, and that they will be found zealous supporters to all measures intended for the benefit of their adopted country.