The Sun.
London, England, 1829-03-19 00:00:00

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fiaenee Over the people of Ireland. The Hon. Gentlemati
had even agreed that this must be the case; and he would
go fnrther and state, that in consequence of the commu-
nications he had had with a great many of the Catholic
Clergy, he believed they would find great difficulty to
maintain the Catholic religion to the extent it now ea--
isted in that country, after this Bill was passed. He felt
confident that the competition between the' Ministers of
the two religions, under the circumstances of equal, full,
and perfect toleration in which they would now embaik in
the discussion, would be entirely favourable to the growth
and spread of Protestant principles.—(Hear.)—The Ca-
tholic Clergy would find themselves in a new situation,
when they had to contend before a people not inflamed by
long-endured grievances that theirs was the religion of reason
and the Gospel, and that it was every way superior to the
Protestant doctrines. So far from being likely to enter
upon so difficult a task—and he was strongly of opinion
that a very difficult task it would be—they would rather
confine themselves to preserve their own religion in its pre-
sent state. With regard to the influence of the Catholic
Clergy over the people, he believed it was greatly exagge-
rated. He could say, from his own knowledge, that dur-
ing the first and second year after the establishment of the
Catholic Association, the Catholic Clergy abstained from
becoming patties to its proceedings. They disclaimed
any disposition to embark in political affairs, and
they adhered to that resolution until the state of
the country reached such a crisis that the Association
succeeded in making the Irish people believe that any
body who did not take a part with them was an enemy to
Catholic interests and to the Catholic religion. It then be-
came a question, whether the Clergy should follow the
stream of public opinion, or take an opposite course, and
run the risk of losing all their influence over the people.
In support of his statement he could refer to a speech made
ed to.Derthrffitetrattd-which would also shew a little
very recently, and since the measures of relief had been
proof of the influence of the Catholic Clergy being turned •
tr very good account. He alluded to the speech of Dr.
Curtis, the Titular Archbishop of Armagh, who, at a
meeting of the Catholic Clergy at Newry, on 'the 18th of
February last; had remarked that " the Bishops of the Ca -
tholiC Church had lately taken a Considerable share in po-
litical affairs, a great deatinore perhaps than was con-
sistent with the condition of retirement in which they had
hitherto lived. The cause of this interference with their
duties as ministers of the Catholic religion had, however,
altogether ceased in consequence of a communication made
by his Majesty at the beginning of the present session of
Parliament." The Catholic Archbishop went on to say
That being the case, it was, for the future, his deter-
mination, so far from continuing to take part in political :
affairs, wholly to withdraw from them, and at the same
time to assure the public that this was the course most
suitable to the occupation he filled." He (Sir H. Parnell)
was aware that a Catholic priest who had taken a very
active, and even a fatiguing part in the business of the As-
sociation, had, at a meeting lately held, to take into con-
sideration the Bill for regulating the elective franchise of
Ireland, refused to agree to that Bill ; and had stated, that
as the grievances osi the Catholics were likely to be re-
dresse4, he would take no part in the proceedings, but
would exercise his judgment as to the Disfranchisement
Bill. This was almost a single instance of the sort.' The
influence of the Clergy had formerly, in many instances,
been exercised against the feelings of the country, and
against its best interests; but he trusted it would now ro-
ceive a new direction, and be brought into action to sup.
port the laws, and establish the tranquillity of the land.
He thought also that the greatest possible change for
the better would result to the people at large; for it was
the vice of the particular system of government until lately
pursued in Ireland, that it generated a feeling of hostility
among the people in the administration of the law—(lleac,
hear !)—and this to such a degree that it was almost im-
possible to obtain evidence against the criminals when
offences were committed, and it was commonly known. •
that no person was willing to give information for their
detection; and that even when detected, and put into gaol, '
there was great difficulty in convicting them, and there
was in every stage of their administration great difficulty ;
in carrying the laws into effect. lie trusted that when •
this Bill was passed the feelings that had hitherto prevailed
among the Catholics would cease, as Aley were evidently •
injurious to the vital interests of,society, and that the law
i
would have full effect, without. any of those disthrbances
'which had rendered the state of that country such as it had •
been unhappily for too many years. The principal effect
on which he placed his hope of security would be the re-
sult that would ensue from the improvement of the condi-
tion of the people. As this took place, those interests es-
sentially connected with order and justice would extend
themselves through the community, and produce an accu-
mulation of profits, which would increase the wealth of
the country, and give general employment to the people.
In this way, he looked to the future improvement of their
condition ; for when with the wages of industry they
could earn their subsistence, better habits would spread
among them, and the progress of civilization would be ex-
tended nearer to the degree in which it existed among the
labouring classes in this country. From this improvement
of the Irish people, great advantage would also follow to
the interests of the working classes of England. For at
present the Irish labourers, not being able to earn even a
scanty subs;stence at home, were necessitated to come over
to this country in great numbers, and by their competi':ion
the rate of labour was greatly reduced. This w'auld
be
put an end to as soon as the Irish people coal maintain
themselves in their country. He would sleA tros.hle the
House at any greater length, but he bad felt it 'As duty to
make these observations—particularly those with regard to
the Catholic clergy, because he could not tit silent and
hear with satisfaction their character and conduct cen-
sured, knowing, as he did, that their time and efforts had
to promote and pre-
itt every puillity of thoesisribcleonwrnatryy.
AMORE apologised for presuming to ad-
dsbeerreec'eso:ttdmhhepaTtltoljr)a'HLen'Lqlouse, but he felt so strongly on this ques-
tion that lie must throw himself on their indulgence. He
had risen in the discharge of a painful duty which the De..
cessity of the case had imposed on him. He was sassailalo
that no support of his could do justice to thak cause of
which he was a humble and sealous, but inelicient &Ives
cate. But still he should think himaelf unavortils elf h
seat in that House if he gave avote, on,
the. couastai au) ~ warning
voice when he considered,
the Constitu-
of that immense importance, and (Aid, noti;,.4 *)''-e't!""
tion to be both in danger.--(Chew.
to toilots. the advice given It was his wish
SPlech from the n
Thre" his Majesty's gracious
into the discussion " ".tid he should therefore enter
because,
with temperance and moderation,"
.
a me opinions lie did of the measures of his
Majesty'' dovernment, he was desirous, in justice to him-
and to those who did him the honour to sit with him,
to spew how undeserved were those epithets which had
been used so freely with regard to theirconduct in opposing
thc,se measures—he referred to the terms " base, infita
Luaus, and factious," which had been applied to thorn ;
and they had been also described as " bigots," and mess
"who had not the common feelings of Christians, but, who
would gloat their eyes with delight in seeing the Wood of
their Roman Catholic fellow-subjects shed, and who would
look with complacency at the prospect of rt civil war, to
which their efforts were directed."
" Falsus honor jurat et inendax infm-kia terret
Quern nisi mendosum et iasseadamm ?"—(Cheers.)
If those (continued the Noble laord) who spread such fal.
sifying calumnies, tltiajc to intimidate or deter us from
70 Coe purer religion of the Reformed Establish
pursuing tlaa duty forced upon us by those measures, they
will 4,.d themselves mistaken.—(Cheers,) It is not
my
in!et?-tiOP to compare the doctrines of the Church of Berra,
i have no wish to say any thing to, offthe f
those who teach or profess the. en. emings
religious sentimlents. I have known
many %Matt Cathol:, 17,1.ent.
for I have lived on twee Of the greatest
very sineera isa their re
withigiox;
many followers c 4 chure)%, and
•":"eve ntratactrie are
many I?aiesta of that church, to',, and I must say that
*Y. are mesa of the naost charltable benevolent, and de-
vout character. But thou
g have the greatest respect
foZ them personally3 it
is another question whether I
shall intrust theta with the direction • •
of political powes
If I feel myself eompelled to oppose Majesty's
his Govern.
meat, I do so, 'with great regret; and if I should express
myself a',,-eao,gly, it will be because I feel bitterly at time re-
!neßl,4lll?ce of the deceptive practices followed isy his Ma-.
joy's Ministers, and especially by the Right Hon. Gent.
the Secretary of' State, which has cause;l a, general expres-
sion of`the feelings of the country, when, tlaey came forward
with these measures.—(FlearThe Right Hon. Ger,e,
made a triumphant progress, through the northern parts of
the country, and hegdseeeches delivered in support of INT,
testant priaci*s, and gave no hint as to his intausios.
must 19;4 to, a__Reman Catholic Poet for a passage which,
test of §erittture, tray serve as a motto to the mod*
of his progress,-
" Dknnk at a Borough ; cj' At a Ball,
kaithful at Lancaster, fabte4 Whiteliall—( Loud cheers.)"
If the Right lion. Gent., had come to this House, and sail
that his opinions, k been_ changed, from the knowledge ‘C.
the affairs pp the country Which he had gained officially or
otherAK:aa, anti therefore that he bad found it nemsary
as adopt opinions different from those he before. held..
that would have heel. 4, fair and intelligible course,—
But I own that ssix coentlence in the Right. IJon. Curet..
was mach shaken by the course whirls he. adopted; foe
he tees us that his opinions re/Asia unchanged;, that
he now sees all the dangers attending concessions, to the
Roman Catholics which he ever law, but that he now pee-