The Sun.
London, England, 1832-08-28 00:00:00

IRELAND-DUBLIN, AUG. 2:).

" And lean looked prophets whisper fearful change;
Rich men look sad ; and ruffians dance and leap."
Shakespeare.
In a recent number of The Sun it was an-
nounced that there were " mysterious hints of a
rebellion in Ireland," which, however, you pru-
dently treated as the machinations Of some
"'zealous officials." A few observations on the
more than usually distracted state in which so-
ciety is here at this moment, will account for
the facility with which such rumours may be
originated, and believed by a great many, That
there are some mischievous officials in this
country who look forward to
,every thing dis-
turbing the peaceable portion of the people as a
means of benefiting themselves, there can be no
doubt. Such characters are to be found among
every class and sect among us, but more parti-
cularly among the ascendancy faction, a party
much more alive to their own interest, and
having more tact to promote it, than their ad-
versaries. Among these adversaries, however,
whom I call the Catholics, and such Protestants
as are independent of the patronage afforded
under the old system of exclusive favouritism,
there are many persons whom the aspect of the
times affects so much as to realize the description
of approaching troub'es above quoted. When
society becomes unhinged, there are always per-
sons ready to prognosticate greater changes than
are even requisite to restore it to its proper tone
and functions ; and a whisper of this kind, having
once gone forth, never fails to alarm some indi-
viduals who have something to lose ; and others
who, having with their good name lost all they
might have, see no chance left them but what
may turn up in a national tumult and confusion.
In fact, though there are not the least grounds
for apprehending a rebellion, or any thing worse
in this country than ordinary agitation and
blood-letting, it is by no means strange that
there should be not only rumours, but threats of
the kind, in our present distracted state. For
you have the haughty ascendancy man in alarm
at the certainty that his monopoly is doomed to
destruction, and, therefore, exerting himself per
fas atque nefizs to ward off the blow impending
over himself and his family prospects. Hence
the twisting and turning, lying and braggardism,
of a certain class of Orangemen. On the other
hand, there are among the opposite party some
with empty heads and emptier pockets, whose
antic tricks and extravagant expectations alarm
some honest and sober folk of every persuasion.
Then there are a few partizans of a higher grade,
among both factions, who, whatever may be their
own views and motives, greatly stimulate by
speeches and writings their followers to they
know not what. In this state of things, it is no
wonder there should be rumours of rebellion na-
turally concocted by the ignorant, and indus-
triously circulated by the speculative and malig-
gcwtet\;er,pteleprlee;isnaot
nant for their own selfish purposes.
You may depend on
present no machinery for a rebellion in Ireland ;
there
personsis noof
influenceorganizationo r
proffering their
counsel or assistance ; and, consequently, no de-
finite system of opposition to the authority of
Government. The determination to pay no
more tithes might be regarded as a negative to
this assertion, were it not well known that there
is nothing latent, nothing secret nor concealed,
in this determination, which may be said to have
its existence only in publicity. The great pe-
culiarity of the means by which tithes have been
morally extinguished, and will in time be com-
pletely eradicated from this island, is its avoid-
ance of a collision with the law—a peculiarity
worthy of the just and enlightened spirit that
suggested it. It admits the legality of demand-
ing tithes, but declares that such a demand from
Catholics is against reason and justice ; and,
therefore, while it dissuades from a violation of
the law, it inculcates a reluctant submission until
reason and justice shall have prevailed in the
hearts of our rulers, and tithe persecution be re-
linquished for ever. The following is in effect
the plan suggested, and universally understood :
Not to commit outrage upon the law or its
agents, but to protest by word and deed in every
legitimate way against the demand as unreason-
able and iniquitous, and ore which no Protes-
tant government in the present state of the world
can long continue to sanction. Tithe is the
paramount and crying grievance of this land, and
one which the Government should not have suf-
fered to remain one month after its condemna-
tion by the parliamentary committees of inquiry.
Whatever confusion, anarchy, and bloodshed per-
vade this devoted land are justly chargeable to the
Ministry, until the Catholic people of Ireland
shall have been completely freed from this ano-
malous impost. For what are the consequences
of temporising and delay on this subject? The
rancour and opposition of the ultra factions
of this country, not only against each other,
but against Government itself. The Marquis
of Anglesea, who, whatever may be his merits
or demerits as a statesman, has unquestionably
exerted himself more than any former governor
to establish equality of right in Ireland, is so
furiously attacked by the extreme factions, that
it is impossible for the cool and impartial ob-
server not to suspect the motives by which these
parties, or their leaders, are actuated. Both assail
him for not encouraging themselves by the op-
pression of their adversaries, while his Lordship
seems disposed to hold the balance even,
and give a triumph to neither, but distribute
justice to all. He has, for instance, sent Serjeant
O'Loghlen to inquire into the cause of the late
meeting at Blarney, a circumstance which; con-
sidering the individual selected, and the occasion
of the inquiry, ought to give general satisfaction.
Yet such cannot be anticipated from the state in
which we are, which is truly lamentable, inas-
much as the clamour and noise kept up by the
" extremes," will not permit the rational and
quiet portion of the community to judge calmly,
and express their cool opinions upon any subject.
I have already stated that there is not the least
reason for apprehending a rebellion ; of this you
may rest assured. At the same time you should be
informed that there are many individuals, Catho-
lic and Protestant, whom the conduct of the
agitators renders very uneasy and timorous.
While one party cries out for the abolition of
tithes and church rates, and makes preparationsPrbament who
will not pledge himself
to return no member to the new a
to their views, and the
other party as strenuously exert themselves to
send such a number of Protestant ascendancy men
as will frighten Government into the policy of still
upholding that party in Ireland, the notes of pre-
a ation on both sides arc sufficient to convince all
p at least, that the struggle
aY terminate
of " weak nerves,
erErlilleatoenitlelsStOst7 Besides,thingllio serious
)otlisaitiii position
o
mere
, election f
t"
wtee.
I
the dominant parties, we should recollect, threa-
tenseachhostilityther, am to
do
thus
Governmentilc
)aesitself, as
t
a very disagree-
able agsre to
able dilemma, should it appear at the next
election that they have respectively that influ-
ence over the country which they profess to hold.
But I think the result will prove the contrary.

In fact, you arc not to understand that the entire
population of Ireland is divided between these
two noisy factions—quite otherwise. The agi-
tators, after all, on both sides, are contemptible
in numbers and intellect, with a few exceptions.
But the leading grievances of which they com-
plain enlist on one side or the other the feelings
and jtidgriient of; the niere
.ninnerons and influ-
ential, who, if these grievances did nit eXisti
would range themselves on the side of peace and
good order, and assist Government in preserving
both. As long, however, as Government
allows the Catholics to complain of the injustice
of tithes and church rates, and thus, by permit-
ting agitation on thcsc matters, suffers the Pro-
testants to feel alarm, lest their i'dligiori; rents,
and every thing dear to them may ultimately
share the fate of these universally-condemned
exactions, the country must continue in its
present state of agitation and disquietude.—
Will Government, therefore, continue to look
on thus, while such a state of things procrasti-
nates the improvement of the condition of the
kingdom ? Will Earl Grey, Lord Brougham,
and the other intelligent Members of the Cabinet
thus prolong the miseries of Ireland, at the ex-
penrse of the finances of the country, its strength
and happiness in the eyes of foreign nations, and
their own future fame and character? Why not
deal out justice at once, with a liberal hand ;
and thus, if not completely suppress all the in-
centives to anarchy and rebellion, at least enlist
on their side all those whose peaceable habits,
property, and rights, are worth preserving td
the country. If they are unfortunately indis-
posed to abolish great grievances, and reduceto
a state of equality his Majesty's subjects in this
kingdom, who have hitherto been a dominant,
supercilious, and favoured party, they must mis-
take the spirit of the age in which they live, as
well as the duties of British Statesmen, and
must expect such a state of things as Lord
Brougham has denominated rebellion, to be per-
manent in Ireland.