The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-02-11 00:00:00

to put then' down by another ?—(Hear, hear.)—lie could assure the
!rouse that an important change had been effected in the Catholic
mind, in their principles, and feelings, more especially during the last
two years. Many causes had combined to create this change:—
. among the principal were the relaxation of the penal code, and the
spread and increase of political information, from which they tailed
not to derive a more accurate knowledge of attars connected with
the State. The Honourable Gendeman then adverted to the va-
rious causes of irritation in Ireland; among the principal of which
he considered the episcopal charge of the Archbishop of Dublin.—
Never had any thing more unfortunate happened than the publica-
tion of that Cnarge—it had produced an disci not to be described.
The institut ion of Bible Societies had created much jealousy in the
minds of the Roman Catholic", and the inference they drew from the
activity of these bodies was, that the object of their institution was
proselytism, arid the destruction of the Roman Catholic religion in
Ireland. The fate of the Bill brought into that House in 1823, and
that of last Session, for the relief of the English Catholics, had
' produced an immense sensation, almost amounting to a conviction
that their case was hopeless, and no telief intended. Gentlemen
might talk of an union between the two countries. Where did it
exist ?—Oa paper. It was, in the strictest sense of the word, an
union by Act of Parliament. Tile present Bill is illiberal and un-
worthy of sound policy—another Act sought to be added to the
innumerable insults arid injuries already heaped upon Ireland. It
could be considered in to other light than as a firebrand, and the
destruction of the peace and prosperity of the country. It would
strike at the roots of property and life itself. Ile should sot do his
duty to that House, his constituents, and the Country, were he to re-
press the strongest expression of his disapprobation to the measure.
•He had, within the last two months, bad various opportunities of
consulting the opinions of persons well qualified, from local and
other causes, to &Iliad information on the subject. He had spoken
with Gentlemen out of that House who were avowedly hostile to
the Catholic Association ; and what were their sentiments 1—" Let
JI inisters put down the Association"--" but," they added, " let them
double the army." (Cheers from the Opposition benches.) An Hon.
Member had said this Bill would lead to a separation of the
two countries, and it was difficult to calculate the erect of the
measure upon a population such as the Irish, identified as they had
become with the objects and feelings of the Association. This was
a tact that could not be disguised, and ought not, for it was of the
utmost importance that it should be properly understood and ap-
preciated. In 1765 the pspulation of Ireland was two millions •in
1795 it had increased to tour millions ; and be felt persuaded that
its present amount was not less than eight millions. It became
the House to inquire what would be the consequence of irritating
and exciting the feelings of a population of eight million,. lie
would earnestly implore the House to pause before they took a step
which involved consequences of a netcre so momentous and dan-
gerous as were likely to ensue from the Con; emplated enactment.
Mr. L. FOSTER was desirous of explaining to she House tile
grounds of his opposition to the objects of the Catholic Association,
and his support of the Bill. He übjected to the Association, inas-
much as it assumed to itself the right of exercising the functions of
Parliament. (No, no! from the Opposition benches.) He should
continue to assert, that the Association actually Intuited the privi-
leges of that House. They may have swrificed the forms in their
proceedings, but they have preserved we spirit. Gentlemen oppo-
site were not disposed to admit his doctrine, and be was face to
confess, there was one particular in which the resemblance did not
hold. They were, it must be achnowledged, unlike Parliament in
one instance, for they arrogated to themselves the executive power,
in addition to their character of a deliberate assembly. In this they
differed from Parliament, by overstepping all authority ever claimed
by that House. The advocates of the Association might take the
benefit of the admission. 11'as it to be tolerated that an Associa-
tion should exist, assuming to itself such powers, levying moniu,
applying them to purposes unknown in secret committees, and' in
close correspondence with large bodies of men in Ireland. With
regard to the mode in which the tax was levied by this body, it
would be found that on the first application to the people at large
to contribute to it. they were generally unwilling supporters of this
novel exaction. But when their contributions were demential front
the altar, and they were given to understand sonic great benefit to
their body was expected to result from the application of these
levies, what first was an unwilling exaction became a voluntary
contribution. Ile would ask, were Ministers of religion making a
legitimate use of their influence by enforcing such payments ?
Were places dedicated to religious uses to be appropriated to such
purposes? In the paymstit of this rent the Catholics conceive they
hare accomplished some great object, and the Protestants find in it
cause for unmixed apprehension, and dismay. Disunion of the
most violent degree is a consequence, and one of the worst features
of this stale of timings. The lion. Gentleman went on to UV. that
it was the business of the Catholic Association to increase the irri-
tation existing in the minds of the people against Orangemen ; and
to represent that name as applicable in an equal degree to the wh I
of the Protestant population. It was the natural consequence, tha
the Prot./sant% thus marked out as objects of hatred and detesta-
tion must unite for purposes of self-defence, and in this mance
was generated a long train of party animosities and distressiul
events. In, opposition to the Hon. Member for die Queen's
County, who had —arrested that the operations of the Catholic As•
lodation hi.d not been productive of alarm, he could inform the
H use that so late as Christmas last a strung apprehension existed
in the mind, of many Protestants ; but he was free to add, it was
unfounded. (Hear from the Opposition.) Yet, was it the natural
consequence of the acts of the Association ? (Hear from the Trea-
sury Benches.) However, be that as it may, within ten days of
the circulation of the Address of the Catholic Association, the Pro-
tettant population Vat up prepared with arms in their hands to repel
the aggressions, such circumstances led them to expect. Under such
circumstance of agitated feeling and alarm slight matters might have
b--mmtht about a convulsion, of which few could calcula.e the probable
tree The people gave their money to the Catholic Association. They
h ..s'e taken the very best and only course to procures sufficient sup-
ply ; the contribution was founded on religious principles ; it
amounted to little short of twenty Chousand pounds, collected from
persons of all ranks, and applied to many purposes ; if to this is
added the probable annual increase at the rate of twenty-five per
cent., it will make an additional sum of five thousand pounds. Is
it for the Church this is levied ? is it right it should continue ? or
is it voluntary ? What effect will this have upon the middling
classes, whoare gifted with a bold spirit of penetration into the re-
lations of private life ? for did ever any good or any benefit arise
from religious politics ? The gentlemen of Ireland are dragged
before the Association, their acts misrepresented, the tenant set in
arms against his landlord, and the privacies of ivate life broken
in upon. Such • state of society is intolerable. View the calamity
before the consequence arrives. The influence is obvious : the Ca.
riolic Association will become the returning officers, of Ireland.
The powers the Catholic Association assumes to itself are tour.
minus. He would grant that they have in some degree contributed •
to the tranquillity which at present exists, but it was principally to •
other causes it was to be attributed. lie never before knew the '
don to be so well employed ; a great influx of wealth was flowing
into the country in defiance of that rock ; British capital is making
its way its every direction ; the modern era is throwing off its pre-
judices,
and the comic manufacture is now succeeding so rapidly,
that it will shortly exceed the linen. The old policy of
giving • monopoly in a particular branch of trade, and
granung protecting duties so high as sixty per cent. is abandoned;
in the year 1821 not a yard of been was manufactured throughout
Ireland ; in the year 182'2 the exports in that article amounted
to seventeen thousand yards ; in the year 1823 to two mil-
lions; and in the year 1824 to six millions. Yet the linen manu.
facture was not declining. it was verging to the West and South of
the Islard, and was flourishing extensively, tt- the benefit of the
people of the country. The distilleries of Ireland, before the
charge was made in the laws affecting them, about two years since,
did not menu tuacture above two-millions of gallons of spirit ; they
bower/is, in the last year, produced eighteen. The lion. Gentleman
said tooth r opportunity would present itself, of showing how
units' got into the country, and the beneficial results that followed. I
The prosperity of Ireland was hourly inert asing, and provisions
wire never so abundant. The troubles of 1822 followed on the
steps of famine, and it was then necessary to arm die polite for the
security of the peace of' the country. The commutation of tithes
Isla most tranquillising erect in the disturbed parishes and cot
air ne in these, but universally throughout the other parishes, for
they knew that they had its adoption as a remedy if they felt any I
vi nation as to ecclesiastical suits. He (Mr. F.) was not indisposed
to grant the Catholic Association their share of approbation ; but
now they were the only power capable of disturbing the existing
tranquillity. The Irish had a national prediliecton fur Parliaments.'
In 1782 meetings took place ; the Parliament were so corrupt, the
very arguments that were used then, would equally apply now.
How did they cease? in 1793 another convention assembled at
Dungannon and at Athlone, combined with Protestants. In 1816,
the Catholic Board sought to get out of the Insurrection Act, and
summoned a Parliament, consisting of the priesthood, laity, and
professional men, which did so much mischief that it was found •
necessary to adopt Pleasures for its coercion.
Mr. JOHN WILMA MS was convinced it was necessary to
oppose a measure of such importance as that now proposed, at the I
outset, as it might lead to a developement. lie could scarcely believe
it possible it was intended to carry it into execution, having heard of
no object of advantage it would be to Ireland, not the slightest
intimation given of any benefits to be bestowed on that country ; he
therefore felt it important on him to make a decisive stand at the
very first step. (In what grounds is it introduced into the House?
What is the tendency of the observations he has heard ? He would
repeat the question, and ask on what grounds the House were call.
ed on to legislate ? Whence do they arise ? from whence are they
derived ? is there no reason ? are the Roman Catholics never to be
attended to ? are they ever to be kept in expectation ? and is it on
the least expression of their disappointment these, friends are to I
turn round on them with an equivocal appeal to die policy of the I
country, which feeling is got up for the express purpose? Is it right
to take advantage of it? In the year 1800 there was alleged mil-
conduct on the part of the Catholics, on a similar threatening ap-
pearance in that country. The Honourable Gentleman deliver',
most unfair opinions in imputing certain centiments to the Roman
Catholics. He hoped the evil of these opinions would be counter-
acted.
An Hon. and Learned Gentleman at we time said, that the
Roman Catholics would be justified, and must act through the me-
dium of popular assemblies. and that applause always attends the
man who takes his position in the extreme of opinions. The state'
of the public mind, lie (Mr. Williams), contended, was to be irn• •
puted to the conduct of the Government, who continued to Noll
out hopes which were not to be realised, and to the agitation of a
question vitally affecting the interests of the country, without car.
rying it to its conclusion, and when any hasty expression of their feel-
ing takes place, the effect of hope procrastinated, the reply given is,
you have thrown the impediments in the way yonrselves. Such a sys-
tem is calculated to tantalum and exasperate persons entitled to consi-
deration, and this feeling of exasperation can be justified by the
opinions of great men gone before, as well as by the Right Hon.
the Attorney-General for Ireland. The Roman Catholic people
were not fairly dealt with. It was the bounden duty of the Govern-
ment to wake up their mind to act with cousisteocy esPiclagiou