The Sun.
London, England, 1837-01-23 00:00:00

IRELAND.

GENERAL ASSOCIATION.-The following are the resolutions
which we alluded to on Saturday, as having been proposed by
Mr. O'Connell at the Association last Thursday:—
" Resolved—That it is the opinion of this Association that
it is the first duty of the representatives of the Irish people to
realize, if possible, entire religious freedom for the Irish nation
in the next session, by obtaining, if that be practicable, the
total abolition of the blood-stained impost of tithes.
" That if it shall prove impracticable to obtain the entire
abolition of tithes in the next session, then it is the bounden
and sacred duty of our representatives to fall back upon the
next best measure—the abolition of part, provided the same be
accompanied by the appropriation clause.
That in thus supporting the Ministerial plan of last ses-
sion, or a more enlarged one, if practicable to enlarge it, the
Irish Members do assert and maintain that the entire should be
abolished upon the first practicable occasion."
Mr. O'CONNELL spoke to these resolutions in substance as
follows :—" There is not a man amongst us, or at least there
are but few, who at 'some time or other of his life has not
pledged himself to seek for the total abolition of tithes. That
has been my principle all along.—( Hear.) I was the first
man to proclaim that principle to the Irish nation, and, as has
been my practice, not only in that but in other instances, I
have repeated the assertion over and over again. Now, with
regard to the question of instalments of benefit, I have never
for a moment concealed that I would require a greater
concession when the time was ripe. A concession of the
entire at once is always accompanied—and such is human
nature—with a species of heartburning and dissatisfaction,
that it would be almost better to get things gradually
than leave such a corroding reflection of compulsion and
superiority behind.
,I am, therefore, for doing good, or
effecting beneficial changes gradually, but effectually ; lam
for instalments of benefits. The very fact of the payment is
an acknowledgment of the debt. Taking an instalment is no
compromise of principle; it is rather an assertion of it, and
though this may be something tedious in working out, yet the
practical utility of it is the surer from its gradual and natural
progress. It has been asserted that the Catholic question was
gained at once.--(Hear.) Now, that position I at once
deny. The first instalment of it, for it was gained by instal..
ments, was granted in 1775, the year I was born, abont 61
years ago.—( Hear.) The Learned Gentleman then alluded
to the laws relating to hereditary property with regard to the
tenure of it by Catholics in Ireland under the penal code, and
detailed the history of their circumstances until 'B2, when
they were permitted to enjoy freehold property. Upon • all
occasions it was only by instalments I got anything. I want
to know your prospect now of getting a total abolition of
tithe. A full attendance of the House is 450; if I get 1.50 to
vote for the total abolition of tithes, I'll not take an Instal-
ment. jr. IleatiMont is announced to move the amendment
to the address, Mr. Fitzstephen French to second it. I have
pledged myself in this room, and since by letter to Mr.
Beaumont, to divide him upon this occasion. It may be
said that an amendment to an address to the Icing i,Y 4re-
gatory to the diznity and respect due Monarei ; but I give
our, etiernics the tkeircfite Of this 'faltacious argume..t. I will,
if 9.0 q 912. ,Menat•er 'for Duntl4l4 Mow such fesolution,

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