The Sun.
London, England, 1828-10-09 00:00:00

SIR JOHN SINCLAIR.

THOUGHTS ON CATHOLIC EMANCIPATION, AND
ON THE PROPOSAL .OP DISSOLVING THE. UNION
BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND.

BY THE RIGHT HON. SIR JOHN SINCLAIR, BART.

I have, for several years past, taken a deep inte-
rest
in the questton of Catholic Emancipation. So
long ago as the year 1810, when that much-respected
Nobleman Lord Fingall was a resident in Edin-
burgh, we had frequent discussions on this most im•
portant subject. We sketched out a plan of con-
cession, which, as a Member of the House of Com-
mons, I had some intention of bringing forward ;
but since other propositions 'then' in contemplation
seemed more likely to be powerfully supported in
Parliament,l refrained from involving myself in the
question. 4 As n sincere friend 'to the 'CauSe, I can-
not avoid expressing my deep regret, at the alarm-
ing violence with which the discussion is now car-
ried on. Whenever nations or individuals yield to
threats, there is no saying to what a state of degrada-
tion they may ultimately be reduced. Why then
should the Catholics attempt to carry by intimida-
tion, what may be acquired by favour? The three
nations have, it may be said, entered into a partner-
ship for the general good. Is it then reasonable
that the youngest in the firm should authoritatively
demand, that the other twe partners should'make
every sacrifice that he requires, while he offers no-
thing satisfactory in return ?
The question of securities, on which so much
hinges, does aot appear to me difficult to settle.
Parliament is ready to grant the Catholics all the
privileges which it is possible to bestow UpOn them
cOnsistently with the safety of the Protestant reli.
gion. The Catholics, on the other hand, cannot re-
fuse to grant the same securities to their Sovereign
and fellow-subjects, to which tte adherents to the
Church of Rome have acceded in other countries.
Indeed the Catholic Church of Ireland is more in-
dependent of the Pope than most of the Catholic
Churches in Europe, affil consequently the members
of that Church can have little difficulty in entering
into afair agreement with their Protestant brethren;
in particular they cannot well object to the follow•
ing articles in the declaration drawn up by the cele-
brated Bossuet, in 1682, which were afterwards
sanctioned by the Galilean Church, and are still in
force in France.

• I. That the Roman Pontiff has no right over the
temporalities of the Kingdom, either directly or in-
directly: _

2. That the Roman Pontiff does not possess the
power of excommunicating the King, nor absolving
his subjects from their oath of fidelity ' - and
3. That the Bulls'of the Roman Pontiff have no
authority in France, without .the consent of the Gal-
lica') (or,lrish) Church.
There is every reason to hope that. the Irish Ca-
tholic -Church as a body, though some individuals
may object.to them, would concur in these resolu-
tions. A foundation would thus be laid for the
amicable adjustment of the other points at issue.
Two difficulties, however, would remain;--l. As
to election of the Irish Bishops; and, 2. As to the
Maintenance of the Irish clergy. But these diffi-
culties may be surmounted in the following wanner :
1.7-ettoeosEn monE OF APPOINTING THE ROMAN CATUO.

LIC BISHOP/I IN IRELAND.

As the Pope can claim no authority in Iceland,
but in spiritual matters, it is only necessary for him
to:take care, that no person shall be capable of being
appointed a Bishop, who is not qualified; by his reli-
gious endowments, to fill that situation with advan-

The plan was afterwards communicated to the late Mr.
Grattan, who, in aletter to the author, dated Ist February,
1820, did not object to it, but he stated, " That the specific
measure to be proposed .must depend on the circumstances
of the time in which the question is brought forward,"
which he thought were favourable-to his own plan ; but,
most ktnfortunittelh atrow' unouccestilvii