The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-01-06 00:00:00

DINNER TO GEORGE ROBERT DAWSON,
ESQ. M.P.

[From the Londondrrry North Wrst Parmer of Saturday lashl.
On Wednesday, a grand dinner was given by upwards of one
hundred anti fifty Gentlemen of this county to Mr. Dawson. in
compliment of his don inguished services as Member for the county.
anti as a proof of the high regard which all his constituents have
both for his public and his private conduct.
This city esbibited a gay appearance on the momingpf the day.
from the number of gentlemen flocking in from all parts of the
county to pay this compliment to th'lr distinguished representa-
tive, and we do not think that nn any similar occasion we ever
witnessed so large an a.sambly of wealthy and independent indi-
' iriduala. It must have proved a most gratifying day to Mr. Daw-
son, and is the proudest trlump:i of integrity and honesty which
we have witnessed for many years.
Precisely at at% o'clock, Mr. Dawson was received in the recep.
; tint) room by the Steivards. Sir G. F. Hill, Sir Robert Bateson.
i Sir Robert Ferguson, Sir James Bruce, Barns— Barre Heretofore,
Cannily Gage, W. H. Ash, and Marcus S. Hill, Esqrs. Shortly
alit., wards the company proceeded to the dinner apartment, while
the Londonderry Band played the ntoional anthem.
Maims M'Causland, or Fruithiil, Esq. the High Sheriff, took

the Chait7.
" The King." Three times three. " find save the King."
• " The Duke of York and the Army." Three times three.
(Applause, hold and long reiteration.) " Duke of York's March."
•• The DuPe of Clarence and the Navy." (Great cheering.)
" Rule Britannia."
" The Lord Lieutenant and prosperity to Ireland "—throe time%
three. " St. Patrick's Day."
" The Glorious, Pious. and Immortal Memory."—(This toast
was drank with a degree of enthusiasm which it is impossible to
describe.) "" Boyne Water."
The PnEsinsta•r then introduced the health of Mr. Dawson in
the following worts
6' Gent:one/I.—l am about to announce a toast which, I ant
sure, will he received by this company with the greatest entlitt.
siasm-11 mean the health of our distingnished Representatke,
0. R. Dawson, Esq., who has, this evening, hononrad us with
his company. Many gentlemen may differ with hint on some poli-
tical questions, but I am certain we all feel, in common, the claim be
he
upon our gratitude, for the drcirtod and manly part lie took cn
the vital question of Catholic Entancipation, during the late 5E400.11
of Parliament, and that, by so doing, he expressed the sentimen's
of the wealthy and respectable residents of this cony... He has
now, Gentlemen, been three times elected your Bepresenitifive, end
eaclSession has droved him more worthy of your confidence. His
high situation makes his constant attendance in Parliament nem-
Nary ; his abilities enable, and his inclinations lead him, to study
the interests of this county in particular, and of Ireland in general.
Ile would therefore conclude by proposing his health with every
demonstration of applause Which It is pose' hie to confer upopidm."
" George Hobert Dawson, F:sq. and long may lie continue our
Representative."—Three times three. "Orange and Blue."
It is impossible to convey any idea of the enthusiasm with ivhich
this toast was received. Ihe acclamations of the company lasted
for several minutes; they were succeeded by the clapping of hands
and every other demonstration of public feeling; after that soh.
sided, the fettling of the company broke forth into a teeth repetition
of the same ard-ur. Mr. Dawson was evidently overpowered, and,
upon recovering ltimself, spoke to the following effect :-
1 " When he looked around and beheld the company with which

he was surrounded, when he hated the voice of 'approbation stir
sounding in his ears, it was impossible not to reel proud at such a
moment. Years of devotion to the public service would be amply
repaid by such a tribute of public approbation, and whatever may
baltis fate in life, whether prosperous or unhappy, he should look
back to this moment as one of thchappiest periods of his existence,
as the best reward for his humble services, as die noblest incentive
to continued exertion. This public and avowed expression of their
approbation had left him nothing more to wish for. Fortune had
made him independent; lie had no occasion, as he ousted he had
Dever 010114 an inclination, tool-melt to the powerful, or cringe to
the wealthy ; but he did cherish an ambition to gain the 'Nina
will of his fellow-citizens by a sincere devotion to their cause, tied
by a deitite to contribute his bumbleaservicento promote the general
goad. To find that he had succeeded in this honest ambition was
his best and greatest reward ; and when be looked around and be.
held the large, the independent company bete assembled; when
he saw gentlemen of the first fortune and station in the county.
merchants of the firs: respectability and character, the Clergy of
the Established Church, and the allergy of the Presbyterian per-
suasion, both combining all the character, information, and piety
so befitting to make them the. ornaments of their altered 'order ;
when he saw citizens of this retail: spirited and intelligent city,
all assembled here to pay him the compliment of approving of
his public exertiods, he should, indeed, be insensible to the best
feelings of human nature, if he did not feel more than ordinary
pride and gratitude on such an occasion. Gentlemen, be assured
that no man living can appreciate the compliment in a more grate-
ful manner than the individual 'No now &Omega you—it is, in-
deed, the best recompense for the devotion of time, and, be might
add. for the sacrifice of health, which a punctual attendance upon
Parliamentary and official ditties entails upon public men. To re-
present our fellow-citizens in Parliament, is, no doubt, the high-
est honour to which any commoner can aspire ; but it is often
forgotten, in the attainment of this honour, how much itf private
happiness and domestic comfort is sacrificed. The experience
of ten years had convinced him, that a consciencious discharge
of Parliamentary labour leaves a man no other satisfaction then
that which arises from the consciousness_ of performing our duty.
If it wee sat from this hope--a hope confirmed by the delight.
ful testimony which your presence this evening affords, what
could compensate for the sacrifice of time and the almost total
loan of domestic comfort and private society which the daily at-
tendance in Parliament entails ? On such an occasion he might
allude to the execution of his Parliamentary duties without an;
imputation of vanity, and, lie might say, that during ten long
years he was neeer absent from his place in Parliament upon
317 discussion relating to the affairs or interests of Ireland.
~ hen he reflected, therefore, that these discussions have em.
brazed every subject connected witlethe prosperity, the peace, and
the internal management of the country, had he not reason to be
proud of their approbation at having preserved a steady and con.
sistent course ? During the last four years, the attention of Probe
ment had been almost exclusively devoted to Irish business. States..
men of the first rank, and men of the tiest-tate talents, have applied
themselves incesnintly to devise remedies for the unfortunate out.
dition of the country, and it is not too much to say that no natiot
in the sante period has had so many abuses reformed, act rushy sa•
lutary laws enacted, and such a inundation laid for future prosperity
and lumpiness as Ireland. This attention has pervaded every part
of oar dioneatic administration. The collection of the revenue has
been simplified, and a more complete identification of the interest
of the two countries has been made, by removing absurd re.
strictions upon trade, and by introducing one common system
of managing the pecuniary affairs of the two islands. The Courts
of Justice have been regulated, from the highest officer dowr
through every gradation of persons connected with the admi
nistratiun of justice; the most wholesome laws have been in.
troduced Inc regulating the property of the Church, and for
establishing its character eat on the surest foundations, namely,
.he good will and affection of the people. The peace of the
country has been secured by a wise and efficient system of
constabulary, and a system of examination into every abuse, and
of collection for every evil, hare been the sole study both of the
English and Irish Government. Ile was aware that this was not
the proper opportunity for discussing such subjects, and he should
not abuse their patience by a recapitulation of the labours of Par.
!lament in the affairs of Ireland. This much, however, he wrighi
be permitted to say, that the prosperity of the country and the con.
tenement of the people. at least in thin part of the empire, are to
best penes of the soundness and wisdom of those views *hive
his ]Majesty's Government have adopted for establishing the
wealth, the peace, and the prosperity of Ireland. There is,
however, one question of tuck paramount importance, with respect
to Ireland, that it is impossible to omit it even in the sketch of it'
history—he meant the Catholic Question. It is impossible to OW
rate the interest which it excites in every part of the empire ; it i
he was aware, the chief inducement of gathering together th
reopectahle assemblage ; and in every part of the county
which lie had visited, he had found the sante zeal, the sane
determination, to resist any further encroachment upon th
Constitution. Ilappy, indeed, would it be, if the Protestant
of Ireland were alive to the dangers of their own situation•
hut they seem to labour under a blind infatuation as to a
signs of the times, or imprudently yield up their judgmet
to false notions of liberality. The engines with which tho Cat h
lies work in both countries are admirably suited to effect their oh
jects ; anti, unless their artifices are held up to public examinatiote
they may prove successful when it will be too late to cournerat
them. In Ireland they work by intimidation—in England by'
slower but not less sure method of disarming tire hostility of I
people, by publications which either conceal the errors of their ret,
gion, or which contradict the accusations of history ugainat them,
The system in Ireland is short and simple. The country is empha.
tically called their own inheritance, and every man who venture
to give an opinion adverse to their interest, be he high or be he los
is denounced as en enemy to his country. The 1110f1 outrageous
reproaches, and the most unmeasured abuse, are pouted forth
against all *lto do not enlist under their banners ; and at one time
the manly and constitutional declaration of the heir presumptive of
the Crown is seized hold of, in order to level the most personal
abase against him, and the most disgusting souks upon hr
; and at another time the manifestation of public feeling
England draws forth from one of Cie oracles of the factisn a deli
berate declaration. that he glories in the disasters and misfortunes
of the times. In England each nn attempt would be too monstrous
to succeed ; and, it' begun, would et once cause such an alarm and
commotion, that no power of man could stem the torrent against
them. The cool, calculating, and acute leaders of the Catholics
in England have recourse, therefore. to the slower method of
seeming and undermining the Constitution ; and it Is wonderful
nab what apathy they have been allowed hitherto -to carry on
their operations. A few examples will suffice to give sonic notion
of these proceedings. It is the object of the Catholic writers in
England (and some most acute and intelligent men are employed
in the task), it in the object of die Catholic writers to lull
the suspicions of the people of England, by mitigating the harsh
tenets of their religion, and by falsifying or (tenpin; all the
which history present, agitates 01e111. It is now asserted
England had better have remained a Catholic country, as
Retiormation has neither tended to the establishment of liberty
nor to the eneonragement of literature—that the Church of Eng-
land is.quad in intolerance to the Church of Rome—that the
doctrine of indulgence* is harmless—that auricular confession,
the acknowledged practice or the Protestant Church—that pray
ere for the deed, and purgatory, have been maintained by some
of the most eminent of the Protestant Divines—that be iavotatior