The Sun.
London, England, 1827-02-09 00:00:00

CATHOLIC EMANCIPATION.

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toi
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,e,sof to Catholicstaieil
gofrelait.einaaa si:,,outnddd
thoaavdedtroess a present from the
Viscount CLIEDEN, in rising to present the first
felt himself
few observe-
Lordships. He begged in particular to call their
Lordships'lat.tention to the great alteration which had taken place
in the circumstances of the Catholics within these two years. since
the question was formerly before their Lordships, they had roused
themselves, and become sensible of their strength. In one week
the Catholics of Waterford had defeated and disgraced the
most opulent Protestant family in all Ireland. There were two
other families more opulent, but they did not reside in Ire-
land, and were rather English than Irish. The members of
this family were gentlemen of unblemished character, but dis-
tinguished by their bitter hostility to the just claims of their Ca-
tholic fellow-subjects, and for that hostility alone they were de-
feated in one week on their own ground. In Louth, the Catho-
lics had defeated the oldest politician in Ireland, who was also en
able man. In the counties of Dublin and Westmeath they had
also been victorious ; and in Armagh, which was the very centre
of Orangeism, they had completely triumphed. Mr. Brownlow—
who had seen his errors, and after voting against the Catholics,
had voted for them, was opposed by the whole force of the Orange
party—was carried triumphantly through by the Catholic free-

holders. It was the fashion to abuse the Cathee priests fcr
their interference, but were not the clergy of the Established
Church as bad? He was sorry the Bench of Bishops was so empty,
or he would say more on this subject. Did not our parsoaa brawl
without mercy? The Catholic priests live with their people
they haVe no pluralities, they attend to their wants, admi-
nister to them in sickness, and console them on their death-
bed. The Noble Viscount then referred to the Test, and read an
election address from an Irish newspaper, calling on the Catholics
not to vote for any man who supported the Test, as by that means
they virtually voted against themselves, and admitted that their
own religion was idolatrous. Two years ago his Majesty had,
been advised to recommend them to, put down the Catholic
Association, and a law had been made for this purpose ; but,
had they succeeded ? He would answer, No. The thing was
impossible. The AssoCiation were the representatives of opi-
nions, and it was impossible to put down 'opinions. If the
Irish amounted to five millions, they constituted one-fourth of
our whole population ; if they amounted to seven mahout,
they were one-third ; and it was impossible to change or bob,
due the opinions of so large a body of men. If it were any
consolation to their Lordships, he could inform them that
they did not stand alone in their disappointment. The Irish
\House of Commons, in 1793, when the Ministers were frightened
mkt of their senses, which some of them seemed not yet to
hale recovered, resolved to put an cod -to the Penal Code ;
they resolved, also, to put an end to the Catholice. They then
-passed the famous Convocation Act, which only allowed the
Two Houses to meet by a special clause. But, had this put down
the Catholics? No. They had gone on increasing—had 4C•
quired power and talents—were now conscious of their strength:
The Noble Viscount then again defended the conduct of the'
Catholic Clergy, and referred to the conduct of the- English Clergy
'at Elections, three: of whom had interposed with the Merabet for.
Surrey, and requited bin, to pledge himself on this subject. 1-/'
was sorry to see them yelling the people on with the " No Popery-
cry—a yell which was as foolish as it tray wicked. People, when
at ease, might be influenced My-religious disputes; but-when thoe- •
sands and tens Of thousand families had-been broken po, and were
starving, they had no inclination to attend to theta. If the Catholic`
were not to be emancipated, we should be the laughing-stock of
the whole world ; even of the Holy Alliance, who imposed no such
restriction on their dissenting subjects. On the Continent them
were at least one hundred million peoples among whom such evlu-
sive laws were unknown. Our enemies were the only people lmo sa,IV
our conduct towards Ireland with satisfaction; and they were de-
lighted with it. Only 380 men from Bedlam could, he thought, persist'
ip refusing. the Catholics their just claims. He would put it to the,
Noble and Learned Lord on the Woolsack, if he could foresee any
other termination to this claim then granting it? The Catholics -
Cause was succeeding daily, and it must succeed. His Lordship
said, that the danger from Ireland to the whole country was very
great. The employment of steam vessels had brought Ireland
nearer to France ; and those who supposed there was no danger in
this, he would remind of what occurred when General Humbert
made his attempt on Ireland. Had he landed before the battle of
Vinegar-hill, the consequences would have been horrible. Ile had
heard prosecutions.talked of, but he Wished their Lordships to re-
flect that this was adding to the danger. The Noble Viscount
thanked their Lordships for the patience with which they had
listened to him; and concluded by saying that he had little or no
personal interest in the matter ; his race was ahnost run, and his
only motive, was to , secure the peace of Ireland and the general
prosperity 'Of the empire—which God grant ! The Noble Viscount
concluded by presenting petitions from the Roman Catholic inha-
bitants of several parishes in the County of Meath.
The Earl of ROCHFORD presented a petition
from the Owners and Occupiers of Land in the Hundred of Looee,
in the County of suffolk, -against any alteration of the Corn
Laws.—Adjourned.