The Sun.
London, England, 1829-01-05 00:00:00

CATHOLIC ASSOCIATION.

(From the' Dublin Freeman's Journal of Friday.)

The Chair was taken yesterday, at three o'clock, by Sir
THOMAS ESMONDE. MAURICH O'CoNNFIL, Esq., acted
as Secretary. Rent for the week, 483/. Bs. 6.311.

THE MARQUIS OF ANGLESEA'S LETTER.
The Hou. and Learned Member (Mr. O'CoNNeLs) in
- rising to express his most heartfelt congratulations to the
Association on the auspicious commencement of the new
year, in the reception of a most valuable and. acceptable
New Year's Gift from one of the braves: soldiers and the
most honest and upright Statesmen of the present day---
alluded to the admirable, and he would say invaluable letter
of the Marquis of Anglesea to Dr. Curtis, which he would
de himself and them the great, gratification of reading. True
• as the steel is to the adamant, the illustrious writer gives a
practical developement of sentiments which proclaim his
virtues in the cabinet as no way inferior to his glories in
the field. . The illUstrious Duke now at the head of his
Majesty's Government, is no less indebted to the Noble
Marquis for his support while his colleague in the State,
than by his bloOd when his companion in the field he Con-
tributed-to raise him to that pinnacle of glory on which 4
is now placed. The Noble Marquis, by the honest and
straight-forward course he has adopted is the conciliator of
the people--he brings their hearts and the affections of the
Irish people to the support of the Throne and Constitution
—the vigour which he possessed as a soldier, he made use
of like a freeman—if his country owes him much for the
glories, which by his• blond he contributed to achieve for
her in the field, she owes him much more for having by
his councit and conduct in the Cabinet, 'effected the rege-
neration of the people. Look back to the period of the
Noble Marquis's benevolent administration—but ten short
months have elapsed—they were ten months of peace—
the country has been free from offence and crime; and
daring the same period, since 1772, the people have
never been recognized as so obedient to the law, and
so respectful to the authorities. Let this, then, be the
criterion whereby to appreciate the merits of his ad-
ministration. The dignified impartiality of the course
he has pursued in the admiration of government
intrusted to him, has afforded snore substantial
and solid support to the Throne and Constitution, than
even his heroic and.valorous'exploita in the bloody field of
Waterloo. I hail, said the Learned Member, the Noble
Alarquis's conduct on this occasion as glorious to himself as
it is:auspicious to. our best hopes, of being admitted to a
share in that Constitution which we so highly prize, and
round which we shall vigorously rally. We want the Con-
stitution, the whole Constitution, and we will take nothing
less than the Constitution ; and notwithstanding the oblivi-
ous antidote' of the Noble Duke, we will not remain one
moment tranquil till it is attained. In point of composition
this invaluable document is the production of a scholar.
Its advice ahould be written in letters of gold. Such
council will render the British empire secure, and make
the people happy. I cannot, however, but dissent in some
respects from the Noble Marquis's suggestion, as.to the
adoption of all constitutional means to forward our cause.
Though a measure be constitutional it may-not be always
legal- Unless it is so we shall ever decline to resort to it.
The Noble writer has, in this instance, followed the dic-
tates of his proud feelings as an Englishman—he has
shown the' bright metal of his polished mind—and, while
his cheerisig communication adds confidence to our hopes,
throws a brightness over our prospects. The sentiments
contained in it, will be a source of unutterable woe to the
Brunswickers. The Learned Gentleman then moved a
vote of thanks to the 'Noble Marquis.
Mr. O'Coaisisr. then moved the following resolutions:
1. That the Marquis of Anglesea, by his distinct and
unequivocal declaration, in the letter addressed by him to '
the Roman Catholic Primate of Ireland, that the settle-
ment of the 'Catholic question can alone give peace and
Prosperity to all classes of his Majesty's subjects in this
kingdom, has manifested equal manliness of character, true
political sagacity, and disinterested integrity of purpose.
2. That this country owes to the Marquis of Anglesea a
moat important obligation for standing forward in this
peculiar crisis, as the avowed and unhesitating champion
of her rights, and contributing the weight:sof his official
authority and experience to the testimonies which so many
Wise men have given of the necessity of tranquillising Ire-
land by doing justice to her.
3. That as the Duke of, Wellington has reaped the ad-
vantage of the bravery and skill of the Marquis of An-
glesea, in the bloodiest and the best fought field to which
he is indebted for his present power, we have a right to
expect that in discharging the high trust whiels is vested
in hiM for the benefit of the empire, he *will avail himself
of the political wisdom of his military auxiliary in the
Scbievernent of that noble victory, by which prejudice will
be effectually conquered, and faction will be permanently
subdued.

4. 'That the best practical encomium which we can be-
stow, upon the man,: who, beyond any other Lord Lieute-
nant, is entitled to our lasting confidence and gratitude is,
to regulate our proceedings' by the adoption'of his advice.
Mr. Simla said, I second the fOur resolutions fodnded
°Pon the letter of the Lord Lieutenant to the head of the
Roman Catbdlic hierarchy. I shall begin With the Duke's
letter. 'I do not mean either to Ratter him or to condemn
him.- Let us look at him and his manifesto with impar-
tiality, and even, if it be possible, with favour. . The Duke
'4 Wellington (for Sir Arthur Wellesley, the quondam
(letetarY for Ireland, now the Premier of the Imperial
was once a page in the Castle. Wherefore do
loeution this? Jot as a circumstance degrading to him,
1"c, into what a gigantic altitude has the pigmy who sus-
tained the gown of a Lady Lieutenant ascended ! I state
e fact, because his early life, and the way in which a
Portion of his manhood have pissed, have formed the im-
'eressions upon which it is probable that he is at this nso-
'nein acting. He was born among Irish Protestants,
'sod he takes the view • which, an Irish Protestant
Will be apt to take of the power of the party to
Which be originally belonged. He thinks, he scarcely
feels as yet, that Catholic Emancipation should
be passed ; and while he admits that the question
should be settled, be stands, dismayed by the Brunswick
?halal-ix; and the array of :Orangeism, which his hesitation
has contributed, if not to create, at least to strengthen and
eonselidate.—:(Cheets.)—afie talks of the spirit of party
having been mixed up with the question. What does he
mean ? He doets not distinctly tell us, but we can readily.
• He refers to the Brunswick organization. The
protestant, or rather the Castle page, for a complete
slisnrption of hisi early predelictions has not yet. taken
Plate, pursues the great Statesman, and the dwarf of
the Melds-park encumbers the giant of Waterloo.—
(Hear, hear, and loud cheers.)—He talks of
the
Duke of Wellington should remember that he wag
,he man who seconded the address to the crown in the
Parhament in 1793, recommending a partial Cam
t •
bc'ila emancipation: He then called himself the Hon. Mr.
Arthur Wesley, adopting the naive of the Celebrated
fanatie; and I would to God that he had something of
that enthusiasts olitics ' which distinguished his re •
la's • P
religion. His speech is remarkably like that
lLigis tie lately delivered. He expresses a hope that all
Passion anti prejudice be laid aside. The Duke
should recollect that there . was just as
much passion and
prejudice at work at that moment as there are now ip ope-
tattoo. In the preceding Session the Catholic Bill was lost
;" li!e ;Fish Parliament Ilya vast majority (upwards of 200),
but saa
instant the . Government . seriously took the
litestion up, the measure was carried without an effort.
Ilotiv dos it happen that the Doke now sees nothing but
difficulties, when before he advanced without impedi-
ment? - Ate the Government deterred 'upon other occa-
-8
i"8 by such. apprehensions? When measures of vigour
tare requisite, and the spirit of popular insubordination is
to bt S'til)Pressed, does the minister stand aghast ? I.ook
at the tux Actse--when upwards of 600 persons lay Maimed
a,n(l• wounded try 04. savage yeomanry at Peterloo, and
(ne public- mind was in a state of violent, escasperatien,
were the Government appalled by the outcries of the
Pe"Ple?--(Cheers.)_No—they carried measures of ex-
sseiap coercion without the least difficulty, and trod upon
some of the lieet franchises of the subject. The right of
Petition, and the 'liberty of the press were both shovelled
into an Act of Parliament, where they remained buried
oblivion "• indetal. Wherefore, then, is it that when
rights are to be subtracted, the minister- should be all
courage, and when rights are to be conceded, the minister
should become imbecile in his apprehensions and impotent
iai dais dismay ?—(Cheers.)—What does he dread ? Let
him deClare that. the question must be carried, and at once
the spirit of party whieli owes its origin in a great degree
to strange vacillations, will be at once salnlaed. How can
tLie hero in the field be such a dastard in the CAinet..—
hour can the victor of Napoleon tremble before Mr. Peel?
I turn from' the letter to the Duke, to that of the Lord
entenant. Who is he?—an Englishman and a soldier,
afd; aceoadingly, before lie knew Ireland__lreland now
know. him -,4;',ll.(loiiti cheers),-he spoke of Its with the
~b'llghtiness of his country, and the deinuanoar of his pro-
l"410a. He was exceedingly unpopular here, on account of
a strong strategic phrase. The King selected him as his
'i'presentative—we watched the hilt of his sabre as he en-
tered our city—he saw Ireland—he had the ocular proof
of our sufferings, and' then, after a brief experience, the
magnanimity of his nature, and the generosity of his clic-
,acter, overcame hie prejudices, and he has rushed for-
ward as the devoted champion of this country, which hag
nothing to give him but her grateful and enthusiastic heart.
(hood cheers.) Mr, O'Connell has spoken of raising a monus