The Sun.
London, England, 1829-03-18 00:00:00

s that its admission into the citadel of the Constitution Will
rengthen the Established Church ; another (and it is far
;conger than it chuses to avow itself at present) hopes that
ich admission will lead to that union with other bodies
nfriieindly' to it, which will effect its final downfall. One
I) think, I say, that arguments so opposite would
eutralise each other. But no ! so long as they are urged
•om different mouths, they are all held irrefragable. In
ass general attack, the arrows may be shot from different
carters, but while they arc all aimed at one central mark—
'rotestantism—they are the more certain, the more
aria(' the position—from whence they are discharged.
nto these various arguments, I say, I shall not enter
t Present; one, however, distinct from them all, and
o degrading to the character of the country and the
telings of Englishmen, I shall just allude to—it is
his--that England ought to take her lessons of liberality
tom the surrounding nations. In none of these countries,
am prepared to prove, is liberty se well understood, or so
arg.,elY exercised as in this happy country ; and yet Eng-
sa,,the birth place of freedom, its assertor, its defender,
la" if° avenger—the model of all the freeinstitutions upon
'arth-osd where as abundant a degree of liberty is expe-
lenced ass is anyways consistent with its perpetuity—l say
England is by these gentlemen sent abroad on a sort of
ulYaseau tour to learn the rudiments, and imbibe the
Tirit of freedom ; to pick up the crumbs of liberality which
all from the tables where tyranny and superstition have
!eel, feasting for generations. But I will not dwell on this
legrading consideration, but proceed to observe that if we
kject to this change' in'
the Constitution of our country in
itself, we resist it yet more strenuously in consideration of
its certain consequences; consequences which are already
but ill disguised, by not a few of those who zealously sup-
port this measure. That the real liberties of the people
will be put in jeopardy I feel confident; that the united
Church of England and Ireland will be placed in peril the
moment this
to those Bill hrpassed is certain ;it will and must lead
measures as sure as consequences result from causes,
which will complete its fall. This individual act may, in-
deed, recognise its rights ; what may they next do, when you
have reinforced the ranks of the Legislation by a number of its
implacable and conscientious enemies ? The real object of at-
taelt'Eirs ita,hfts 4een often asserted here, is the establish-
ment, or.ratirer, its privileges' and immunities. The
war is commenced, and it is commenced in this place.
Tii e first parallel is nearly completed—it may point diago-
nally, another will be marked out in an opposite direction,
till the whole will be completed—till the gates of the Con-
stitution will have been approached, the breach effected,
and its ancient ramparts levelled with the dust—and the
triumph will be over the most tolerant, the most learned,
and the most efficient religious establishment any country
has ever yet been blessed with. And, Sir, can any man
flatter himself that even when this is destroyed, a long and
uninferrupted reign of quietness and peace is to ensue.
No! When the victim has been hunted down, the same
pack' which are even now upon her haunches, will scent
fresh game, and the cry against our remaining institu-
tionswill be renewed with' redoubled vigour, till nothing
be left worth either attack or defence, if indeed any thing
will after this fatal measure is carried—till all be libe-
ralized. I see, indeed, an oath is- to be taken that ver-
bally forbids Roman Catholics who take it from burning
be enabled
establishment ; they must be snore or less than men to
enabled to keep such an oath. Totally inefficient as a
security, it is immoral to present it to them ; it establishes
awar between words and principle, and oaths, and con-
science, and which will
lion. When anu finally prevail needs no explana-
mber of Roman Catholics, then, )halll!sve become seated in this House, that they shall not feel
thsiosed to lessen the influence and finally to destroy a church
which -they conscientious) abhor, is absurd. That they
should not make commonycausc for a similar purpose with
other parties inspired by similar views and feelings, is impos-
sible; and though. 1 have heard Hon. Members inveigh
strongly against the supposition, the sure operation of ade-
quate Motives will bring about this union, and will direct its
energies and its efforts against the common object of their
hostility, the establishment. Much, indeed, has been
teairl about the weakness of such a party in point of num-
' but a party acting invariably in unison on this
Point will, as has been well urged, ultimately carry it,
i:d with it all others of vital importance. They will form
the
th nucleus, of a growing party, to whom the measures of
e 'n'a'n must always be rendered pal stable, and who,
COM.
t., --lileatty, will so far dictate the future policy of the
-"untrYs Such has been the case in past times; the most
fulportant - events that have ever occurred in our history
Irloarn, ben carried by far smaller majorities than these could
.ve
bp 1.,, '‘....ig together, and consequently holding the balance
especially
the other different parties in the State; such
tisteeially that of the Revolution and Act of Settlement,
aT,:vnefaucOs which, if they could have been accomplished
- -", could have been secured only by wading to the
lihert •
bn Z.....q,R0g. land through seas of blood, had not Popery
At "Pelleil'„from. the Legislature of the country.—
the last. 'election there was no notion that Catholic
fl'anciPation .wbuld be made a Cabinet Question, and
not one candidate raised the "No Popery " cry. The
PeOple, therefore, chose their representatives as they
weft determined by local, friendly, and other neutral
eoluideretions. If it were intended, however, to re-
verse the Constitution, a Parliament ought to be called
etpressly for that purpose,. Ile would again repeat that
this • cause was dear to the hearts of Englishmen; and
they would not sit tamely by, and, without resentment,
see themselves robbed of their dearest rights. ^He cau-
ti a
else the House to bewaie of what they were doing, and
not to hurry this measure, despising the opinions of the
People. It was not yet too late to appeal to them, and re-
pose confidence in them, and let them " hear, mark, learn,
:1,4,1 inwardly digest" this important question.—(A laugh.)
, tae
Hon. Member concluded by thanking the House for
"e attention with which they had heard him. He had
Ilef)°4tlten his sentiments sincerely, out of
respect for the Pro-
etut Constitution, and not from wishing to impede the
~
"utholica in the proper exercise of any one of their rights.
"(Hear, bear:)--,-He wished it aot .to go forth that he
liti .anY personal hatred against the Irish Roman Catho-
e"(Rear, hear.)—He respected their virtue—lie rever-
hetheir talents—and he admired them for their courage.
an W°Uld not prevent them from enjoying the'exercise of
Thl one of the privileges of titeir religion, but he must de-
e:f to admitting them into the heart of our Protestant
loPtlfotion......(The Hon. Member concluded amidst loud
-199utinued cheers.)
' t, Sir
GEORGE WARRENDER rose amidst cries of
di (lJuisstiou
,o. 44 thc Amon continued so moch disturbed
wring the time that he was speaking, that we were quite
ntoaable to hear what the Hon. BaMtg••
t said. We under-
; °`l him to support the motion, and to deny. that the
under-
la against the Catholics were a part of the Constitution
a% settled at 1688. The object of the Revolution at that
Period
I-- was to secure the Crown to a Protestant King, and
titP mid not understand that at present there was any inters.
1'46 pe.k. That ortemgement.--(" Question, question.")
1 Mr.PANE rose assaiti4 '(;iio n( ti Qaestion;" but the
Ir?use seemed disposed to listen to the lion. Member.
we were quite. unable, however, to hear what the Hon.
' Member said, who • !spoke from under the gallery. We
understood him to oppose the motion, and to express his
regret that he, as well as other Members, were oblige 4 to
°Ppese a Government they felt willing 0 support,
Mr. BANKES also rose am. idst cries of ` Question,"
and 'moved an adjournment of the Debate.,-:(Cries of
i -Co on, go on," and of " Adjourn, adjourn.")
c Mr. liiecretary PEEL had no intention to resist the mo-
' ,:'°u of 'adjournment ; but he could not help thinking that
-,.‘vould conduce to the satisfaction of the House if the
I'Zission• could be continued till most of the arguments
1154 'veil heard. The House had then been only four
i allow and a qUatter opcupiq ; and if Members, ambers, 7,44
1 of the debate to commence at five or six o'clock-(calls
''‘ five")--the petitions might be presented till six
(ißonk, and then the House would be more satisfied by
/ disttntig jhrough more of
.the debate at one sitting. The
atli 'mon Would be carried on more satisfactorily, by this
Ogement, for all parties.—(Cries of " Adjourn.")
"'r ROBERT' INGLIS wished the debate adjourned
t° t
11t"h5ir day week.—(No, no.)—Only one week had been
ttale.,.-"'s 4nd it•was t too inpeb to ask the House to
il -*oge 'the time' thai hen
Was devoted to.the important booi-
' ~.."4 uf receiving the petitions Of the people.—(Laughter
;I°' na---cries of " Go on," and of " Adjourn.")
el'circi MILTON suggested to the Hon. Baronet to allow
te,e,*,tiebate to begin at six o'clock ; and as it was then only
Petiti ,
—ltoY minutes past twelve, he might go on presenting the
(et; us which he had yet to present in such numbers,—
al' °f" Go, on !" and "adjourn.")
hicr. Secretary PEEL—Those Members who wish to
question satisfactorily did, must see that it
4:: neeesiarY to have a consecutive scusse
dismission for six or
the
du hours. It could not conduce to their end to begin
:a, ,euatis at nine or ten o'clock, and after hearing two
'' hen to' adjourn—to postpone the debate night after te-
ro72,ila order to receiveTetitions, because it *as deSitted't:o
tli,,;`'lP the indignation of the people, by persuading.theni
tot their, petitions were not attended to.---(Hear, hear. )
fail- %..oever made that attempt, would find that it must
044;ih If the question were to be discussed calmly, as it
(qtt° heo kilo Home must have time for the debate.
slim.?.l us Go• on," and of " Adjourn.")
' °ANKES eirprissed 1141141 f: Willing to accede i_a,
lwi.eels proposal of beginning the debate at six "bo'cli,c.
fk..
corn ,_ 'Secretary PEEL was understood to fix the hour oa
ICednelng the debate at stibscatotcbleoelkion.
Member _
fort,HOWICK hoped for Ox-
unld state that he concurred in the arrangement.
ROBERT INGLIS made some remarks us reply,
i