The Sun.
London, England, 1819-02-08 00:00:00

•titiject

The Roman Catholics demand power! What
use may he made of it, when obthined, it an ex-
periment too dangerous to be hazarded. But that
this is what they really seek, and on!y seek, is
demonstrable. Why else does the mania extend
to those alone who are capable of receiving poli-
tical power ? The lower orders in general are
contented, and well they may be, for they have
'nothing to Complain of. The higher think them-
pelves enslaved, because they are not pertnitted to

itCe.

llot, say the liberal Protestaots, would that
evrty %vers. removed from nil our fellow
sojects, and that all were plAced +won an Nitta!

hmting.

So say we too, as tar as the free en-

j-ytticittl of their opiliiotts, proper' y, ant:Albert y

extends. But why give to itiy stiltiect the power
of cluing things for which he is by his situation
1' Grant to butchers, brkers, carpen•
tvrs, the power of being chosen Fell
.o‘es of the
Colleges of Pitysicians, Surgeons, or any other
scientific bodies, without examinatioth, wbot ex-
cellent wank would they make in their Commit-
tees ! But a Papist, I contend, is as much dis-
rinalified for governing a Protestant State as a
baker is fir directing the Board of Longitude.—
Ile can have no feeling for its greatest objects.
The case indeed is tpuch worse, for the artisan
would bring only ignorance into the Committee,
While the Romanist would come charged with
hostile dispositions. He cannot know the nature
of our principles, because he disdains to study
them; he must infallibly act against hem, because
he thinks them damnable. If a pious Papist con-
demns a Protestant to the flames, for the good of
his soul, will he not much more labour to over-
turn a Protestant' Government, for the good, as
he must think, of millions of souls He is there-
fore of necessity disqualified to govern us ; per-
mit him to do it, and you either expose him or

rui►► us.

IloAm.', is allowed to have been a very liberal
Bishop, too much so for those who have a sincere
tachment to our National Church. Yet let us
take his opinion ,on this subject. " It is," be

say', " their religion and their conscience ; it is
inculcated upon them, as the great condition of
their acceptance with God, that no good nature of
their own, no obligations from others, no ties of
oaths and solemn assurances, no regard to truth,
Justice, or honour, are to restrain them from any
thing, let it be of wh tt sort soever, that is for
the security or temporal advancement of their
Chnrch."—Serra. xi.

LOCKE was also liberal ; but what says he ?
" Those have no right to be tolerated by the Ma-
gistrate, who will not own and teach the duty of
tolerating all men in matters of religion."—
Works, vo% 71.

Now tLe persons in qr.estion are fully tolerated,
yet witli tlts.t they arc not. contented ; which
being the eve, can the Magistrate with any rea-.
son be asked ro go still further ? Would LocKa,
who denied the first step, have allowed the se-
cond ?

But many Notestants desire to grant them all
they ask. Alas, too many ! But may not the rage
for power operate here also ? It the Roman Ca-
tholics are ,made an active political power, they
will take some decided part in politics. They will
mightily strengthen the hands either of the Go-
vernment, or of the Opposition. Bath sides hope
for them. Government may with some reason
hope that gratitude for favours granted will, for
a time at least, attach them to that party. Oppo-
sition may he still more sanguine, in,the hope of
their support to such measures as Government
cannot yet countenance. Besides, they too will
have to say, we laboured hard for you, now serve
us in our turn. Both may be in part mistaken,
for political gratitude is naturally short lived. But,
at all events, a mighty engine will be set to work,
whose operation, till we are able to calculate, we
certainly ought not to trust. A high-pressure
steam-engine, without due regulation, may blow
the whole machine to atoms.

LOLLARD.

Thursday the Columissioners for ascertaining
the longitude at sea held their first meeting at
Admiralty, under the provisions of the Act of the
last Session of Parliament.

Orders have been received to dismantle the
deFor near this town : in consequence, the men
arc daily employed in packing up the stores, con-
sisting of minAets for 12,000 men, accoutrements,
swot ds, pistols, &c. and a large quantity, of am-
munition. Atter the stores have been removed,
the building is expected to come to the hammer.—
(Chelmsford Chronicle.)