The Sun.
London, England, 1829-03-06 00:00:00

CATHOLICS OF IRELAND.

Mr. Secretary PEEL moved that the Clerk should read
those passages of his Majesty's most gracious Speech at the
opening of the present Session in which his Majesty re-
commended to Parliament the consideration of the state of
•

The Clerk accordingly read the passages in question, vi.'.
" His Majesty laments that in that part of the United
Kingdom an Association should still exist which is dan.•
genius to the public peace, and inconsistent with the
spirit of the Constitution ; which keeps alive discord and
amongst his Majesty's subjects ; and which must,
if permitted to continue, effectually obstruct every effort
permanently to improve the cowl:lion of Ireland.
" His Majesty confidently relies on the wisdom and on
the support of his Parliament ;• and his Majesty feels
ae-
sured that you will commit to him such powers as may en-
able his Majesty to maintain his just authority.
" His Majesty recommends that, when this essential
object shall have been accomplished, you should take into
your deliberate consideration the whole condition of Ire-
land ; and that you should review the laws which imposs
civil disabilities on his Majesty's Roman Catholic subjects.
" You will consider whether the removal of those dis-
abilities can be effected consistently, with the full and per-
manent security of our establishments in Church mid
State, with the maintenance of the Reformed Religion as
established by law, and of the rights and privileges of
the Bishops and of the Clergy of this realm, and of the
Churches committed to their charge. These are institu-

tions which must ever be held sacred in this Protestant
Kingdom, and which it is the duty and the determination
of his Majesty to preserve inviolate.
" His Majesty most earnestly recommends to you to
enter upon the consideration of a subject of such paramount
importance, deeply interesting to the best feelings of his
people, and involving the tranquillity and concord of the
United Kingdom, with the temper and the moderation
which will hest insure the successful issue of your delibe-
rations."

Mr. Secretary PEEL again rose. Although every
bench and every nook both in the body of the House and
in the side gallery were crowded with Members, the most
profound silence instantly prevailed. The Right Hon.
Gentleman, in a most earnest and impressive tone and
manner, then spoke to the following effect :
I rise, Sir, as the Minister of the State, and by the ju-t
authority which belong:.; to that State—(hear, bear)--to
vindicate the advice which was given to his Majesty by a
united Cabinet, to insert in his gracious Speech to Parlia-
ment that recommendation with respect to the condition of
Ireland and the disabilities of his Majesty's Roman Catholic
subjects which has just been read, and to submit to the con-
sideration of this House those measures by which his Ma-
jesty's Government propose to carry that recsmtnenda,
tion into effect. Sir, I rise in the spirit of peace, to pro-
pose the adjustment of the Catholic Question—( Hear,
hear, hear)--of that questiod which has occupied so
much of the time and attention of Parliament, and which
has distracted the Councils of the King for nearly SO
years. I rise to discuss this subject in the spirit which is
enjoined in one of those beautiful prayers by which on
this, and on every day, we are enjoined to lay aside all
private interest and personal views In our discussions.
" May God grant," in the words of that prayer, " that the
result of the Councils of this day may lead to the safety,
honour, and happiness of the people, to the public wealth,
and tranquillity of the realm, to the uniting and knitting
together of the hearts of all persons within the same, in
the bonds of Christian charity and peace." Sir, by the
ythel duinffidenunlbttieedslywaholichnnlt
knnw magnitude
havn to ofl theie
encountered—andinterests—by
of the extent to which these difficulties have
n—
certainly increased—and in the magnitude of these interests
through these difficulties I am supported by the conscious-
ness that I have done my duty.--(Cries of hear, hear. )_.I
have fulfilled the obligations of that solemn oath which I

have taken to his Majesty in the capacity of a responsible
Minister of the Crown, that in all matters to be treated
in his councils, I should there declare my opinion
openly and faithfully, according to my heart and con-
science. According to my heart and conscience, I believe,
the time is come when there is less danger to the general
interests of this E.npire, to the spiritual and temporal
welfare of the Protestant Church, in attempting upon safe
principles an adjustment of the Catholic Question, than in
any other cause which I can suggest to his Majesty.
have stated this opinion on a former occasion, and to this
opinion I deliberately and fixedly adhere ; unchanged
by any seurrility—(hear)—wachanged by any expression
of opinion, however general, or however limited; unchanged
by the popular estimation ; unchanged by the heavier
I ..9 of private friendship. Sir, I say, that looking back
oi. the past, surveying the present, and looking for-
s,. ,r,l to the prospects of the future, I think the time
has arrived, when an attempt should be made to ad-
just this question. I have been called upon to make
out a case for that opinion, I bare been called upon
to state the reasons why, in opposition to the coarse I
took before, I now act in this way ; and I, with the per-
mission of the House, for the satisfaction of those whu differ
from me. and the satisfaction of the people of this country,
shall strive to make out that case which I have been calhd
upon to make out. I know that I am speaking in the
presence of a House of Commons, a majority of which is
already prepared to consent to the adjustment of this flues-
tion.—(llear, hear.)—l am quite aware it is minecessaev
for me to address any argument to those with the view of