Series 01 Part 02: Hughes family correspondence, 3 April 1917-22 September 1918 - Page 228
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[Page 228]
7.
Brendan Gavan Duffy told me that his father had also got some anonymous letters, so I can be quite sure then Judge Heydon has got plenty. Heydon wrote to me the other day thanking me for my reference to him, & for the directness of my letter generally, & he suggested a slight regret that Frank Gavan Duffy was not equally outspoken, but of course it is only fair to remember that Gavan Duffy got as near to the question as he felt he ought to, in view of the fact that he is a judge of the High Court. Dr. Mannix's reply to some of us on Monday last was a most curious effort as instead of going for us on personal grounds, as he did with Heydon, he made three very remarkable admissions: –
1.That England was justified in going to war.
2.That Australia was justified in helping her.
3.That our troops should be reinforced.
In the face of these admissions most of what he has said before as to the "sordid trade war" etc is practically dropped, & he can only argue as to whether there should be conscription or voluntary enlistment, & that, after all, is what the referendum is to settle, & is a fair political issue.
I was nearly forgetting to tell you that St. Mary's Fair in the Town Hall, was to be opened on Saturday last by the Apostolic Delegate, & I debated with myself & with Mother whether it was prudent to appear at the ceremony while party feeling within the Church was running so high. However, I decided to go, & we happened to arrive at the Town Hall just as all the Irish Societies in full green regalia had lined the steps, awaiting the arrival of the Delegate. So Mother I I walked solemnly up the steps & bobbed to the Archbishop (Kelly) who was standing at the top, & afterwards we joined in the