The Sun.
London, England, 1835-10-31 00:00:00

abandon Repeal—and to become hearty supporters of
the Melbourne Ministry, thus supplying the most
abundant source of strength in a great national
struggle. This strength consists of, at least, six out
of seven millions of people, including not merely the
great body of the people—the labourers and working
tradesmen, and yeomen farmers, " our country's pride"
—but the higher class of persons, few of whom, since
Emancipation, interfered in public matters, or gave
their full concurrence and approbation to any Govern-
ment. By this class, I mean that great mass of poli-
tically inert matter, always intent on their agricultural
or commercial pursuits, and caring little about con-
tending parties, except so far as their manoeuvres afford
entertainment for their hours of relaxation—that in-
dependent class, which Swifl would call " prudent
men," solely intent on their own interest—who are
ready to chant with Cromwell, or cry with Charles,
when the contest is decided. The state of the regis-
tries here, shows how many of this class are now ac-
tive in the Liberal cause ; and the O'Connell tribute,
next month, is likely to afford further proof of their
impatience of Tory policy. There is another power-
ful accession, not hitherto reckoned upon. Many of
the Irish ascendancy party, over whom Sir Robert
Peel's candid declarations, not less than the other
signs of the times, have diffused some light, are be-
ginning to understand, that, if Sir Robert again
became Premier by any possibility, it could not
be under such circumstances as would uphold the
ancient regime. These, you may be assured, think
of ratting; under the conviction, that come what
will, things cannot go on as they used to do ;
and that, to retain their fair chances of patro-
nage, and their natural position in society, they
had better conform to the necessity of the times.
But there are other favourable appearances—an
approximation to a perfect union and good under-
standing between Irishmen of the higher and better
informed classes, is likely to take place. The recently
' published letters of Dr. Murray, Catholic Archbi-
shop of Dublin, and the Rev. Dr. Hincks, an ex-
Fellow of our University, show how such an under-
standing and union may exist, compatibly with the
civil and conscientiously-religious principles of the
members of both Churches. Doctor Murray has dis-
tinctly assured his fellow-subjects that there is nothing
in the religion which he professes, that can militate
with the happiness of English and Irish men of every
persuasion ; but that, on the contrary, its ministers arc
bound to inculcate universal charity and good-will,
without the slightest interference with men's temporal
interests. Doctor Hincks's letter is _ equally impor-
tant at this crisis. Besides laying down those broad
principles of ecclesiastical polity, understood by those
who sincerely practice the reformed religion, he shows
clearly, by logical and Scriptural argument, that the
opposition. to Lord Morpeth's Tithe Bill was con-
trary to common-sense, to the true interests of Pro-
testantism, and to the spirit of Christianity. I
mention the letters of both these gentlemen, not merely
because they deserve special attention just now, but
because I know they speak the feelings and sentiments
of a great portion of the best-informed classes of so-
ciety in this country—both Catholic and Protestant.
From all these circumstances, it must appear that
Whiggism is in the ascendant on this side of the
Channel ; and that, though there may be difficulties in
the way of an immediate amelioration of the affairs of
this long distracted country, the present Government
has powers of the most ample description to surmount
them ; and to bestow on us those blessings, peace, and
prosperity, to which we have ever been strangers in
our native land. But, above all, be it remembered—
and the Liberal press should impress on the friends of
Government, and on Government itself, these maxims
—that no favourable disposition of the people—no
talents or influence of individuals—no extent of the
knowledge and civilization of the nineteenth century—
can be half so effectual in aiding the Whigs to com-
plete our political redemption, as the practice and full
development of those theories and principles, which
they have themselves so honourably clung to, through
good and evil report, and from which neither interest,
power, nor pleasure, have hitherto tempted them to
deviate. Let them only persevere in carrying into
effect that part of Doctor Doyle's suggestions, not yet
complied with—let them rescue millions from an ha-
bitual state of famine and nakedness—thus rendering
property secure, and giving to capital and industry
a resting place; let them no longer permit a quarter
of a million of men to retain amongst them the ex-
clusive possession of honours and emoluments—let
not one class of religionists be bound to bear almost
exclusively the burden of two Churches—let them, in
fine, satisfy the good sense of the country, and they
will not only find all Ireland quick and zealous in as-
sisting them, but they will promote the strength, wel-
fare, and glory of the United Empire. They have
now in their hands the means of accomplishing all
these objects, amid—" lime genera officiorum qui per-
sequuntur, cum summii utilitate magnam
sibi adipiscentur, et gratiam et glortanz."

MEETING AT NAVAN TO ADDRESS

THE LORD LIEUTENANT.

Last I'Vednesday a meeting of the Nobility, Gentry, and
Freeholders o: the County Meath was held in the Court-
house of Navan, for tlle purpose of preparing a congratu-
latory address to his Exceliatcy Earl Mulgrave, on his ap-
pointment as Chief Governor of that country, and on the
measures which have characterised his Excellency's Govern-
ment since his arrival in Ireland. The Court-house was
thronged with spectators, and not only was the door beset
with individuals anxious to obtain a hearing, but the line of
street opposite the Court-house was filled with as dense a
crowd as that by which the interior of the building was filled,
The Marquis of Headfort was in the Chair. Resolutions
expressive of public confidence in the present Administra-
tion, especially as evidenced by the appointment of Lord
Mu'grave, were proposed in addresses of great ability, by
V.,'„ S. Crawford, Esq., M.P. ; Mr. S. Winter ; M. L.
Chaps: an, Esq., M.P. ; Lord Killeen ; and by Mr. Dalton,
step-son to the Marquis of Headfort.
The last named gentleman, in the course of an olottnent
but brief address, said he wished that the individual who
had expressed himself of opinion that there was no loyalty
in the county Meath, except what appertained to his own
particular class, were here. How would that personage be
surprised to find there assembled the highest and the lowest
—the great landed proprietor and the humblest tenant, the
Catholic and the Protestant—all met together, not for a
factious purpose, not to embarrass the Government by agi-
tation, but, on the contrary, convened and meeting for the
sole purpose of suitably addressing. his Majesty's represen-
tative ?—( Hear, hear.) Political and prwdial disturbances
have ceased—agitation has ceased. But notwithstanding
all his exertions, Lord Mulgrave has not sueceeded in con-
ciliating the faction, They might forgive him for being a
Reformer, because every roan professes to be a Reformer
now--(Laughter)--but they can't forgive him what, in their
eyes, is an unpardonable fault—his popularity--,(Cheers,)
I cannot (proceeded Mr. Dalton) conclude without ex-
prlP,ssing a wish, equivalent to prayer, which I am sure will
find an teeho in every bosom here, Long may Earl Mul-
grave continue to govern eight millions of people, not as Pro-
testant and Catholic—not as serfs and oppressors—not as
a discordant mass of conflicting materials—but as the sub-
ject,,i of one common nation, whose happiness is not mu-
tually inconii.stent ; but who, to use his own words, are to
be raised to that pitch of prosperity of which they are
susceptible, by the equal administration of equal laws.
The resolutions having been all agreed to, an address
founded on them was unanimously adopted.
The meeting was afterwards addressed by Dr. Mullen,
(secretary to the County Liberal club,) Mr. Ford, the Rev.
Mr. Tiiite, and Sir Francis Macdunuoll, The two first-
mentioned geritivmen animadverted in the strongest terms
of indignation on the II aNclacity" exhibited by the High
Sherif, in refusing to convene tha meeting, upon the ori- '
ginal requisition which was presented to hiM. The Sheriff
„.a,:eneatedly groaned during the delivery of these addresses
with all intensity and hP4rfiness which is peculiar to
an indignant Irish audience. Mn)Jell gave a glowing
picture of the Orange orgies which are pe:riox#POY tI.PIP"
bratcd in the Summer-hill Lodge, and in which 1-he (1.4041
Mr. Fowler ;(theislipriff), the Hon. Randall Plunkett, ant
others, as being dis4lngAii,s4ed Allrantes. The refuse' of
the Sheriff to convene Ow ,meeting }}c tf.114t9 M4lictous
scheme concocted there, The HPP, Mr. 1104tt
heartily groaned as was the Sheriff provion4y,
At five o'clock, Lord KILLEEN was moved into the
chair, when, gpon the motion of Sir F. MACDONNELL, se-
conded by LACILEI.44 Pi SMITH, Esq., a resolution was
passed, conveying to the iNtaxchtitis qf Jicadfort, in the most
flattering terms, the thanks of the meeting nor ffor his
presence and dignified conduct in the chair 490:44 ncea--
sion, but for his .u,n,i(oirmk Aqicacir of the rights of the
people,
The meeting tten adjourned in the most .pees#c vd
•
orderly manner.