The Sun.
London, England, 1829-02-06 00:00:00

SPIRIT OF THE LONDON JOURNALS.

The important Session of Parliament of 1829 was
opened yesterday, when the King's Speech was delivered
by Commissioners. The vital subject, of whieh we first
announced the approaching consideration to the gratefully
astonished countries of England and Ireland, is treated of
separately in the last division of the Speech. This is the
first time that ever the Sovereign of these realms an-
nounced and recommended to his Parliament that "they
should review the laws which impose civil disabilities on
his Majesty's Roman Catholic subjects ;—that they should
convider whether the removal of those disabilities could be
effected with the full and permanent security of our esta-
blishment in Church and State." This, therefore, if we
may speak technically, is like carrying, the " previous
question." It is allowed—nay, it is not only al-
lowed, but it is directed—to the Legislature of the
country, to consider of the removal of the disqua-
lifying Statutes by which Catholics are affected ; and
of course, the same authority or influence which, con-
trary to all precedent, now imposes the consideration of the
removal of the disabilities, evinces in those who prescribe
the consideration the conviction that the removal is indis-
pensable. Who ever knew a case, in which, it having been
carried " that this question be put," the question itself was
not also carried in the affirmative ? It is therefore cer-
tain that Catholic Emancipation will take place, sinless his
Majesty's -Ministers be defeated, and the government in
their hands prove inefficient and impotent. The Speech,
properly enough,--for there are many interests and feelings
which require attention and delicate treatment,—alludes
first to the Catholic Association, which it says must be put
down. But the fact is, if the Catholic disabilities be removed,
there is an end of the Catholic Association. There is no need
of a law upon the subject ; and we will add confidently, that
without the repeal of the disabilities, no human power
whatever—we speak with respect of the omnipotence of
Parliament—but no human power whatever oould have
prevented associations for that object. What a benefit,
thee, to the State, by one simple act of equitable and hu-
mane legislation, to dissolve that which is so justly con-
sidered in all established Governments as an object of
anxiety and fear—an association, be it avowed or secret,
for the obtainment of popular rights. We augur that
nothing more will he heard of the Catholic Association, if
the Duke of Wellington proceeds, as it his nature, bravely
and manfully to the consideration of the Catholic Ques-
tiou. With reference to the debate itself, it will be seen
that our prediction his been fulfilled in all its parts. The
Duke of Wellington, within the twenty-four hours
which we specified as the extreme limit of Lis probable
silence, has distinctly pledged himself to " bring in a
Bill for the adjustment of the Catholic Question ;" and
has stated, most happily, if not quite formally, that it
was such a Bill as had obtained his lelajesty's gracious
concurrence. We must repeat, thet wiien the question
was put directly to the Prime Minister by that star of
Brunswick the Duke of Newcastle, whether the subject
was to be referred to a committee, or to be brought for-
ward in a manner More explanatory of some definite views
6.2 the part of Ministers, the Duke of Wellington an-
swered at once, that he would do it by bill, and not re-
sort to a committee. This is straightforward through-
out. The whole force of the Orange opposition showed
itself; and, ennsidering the experience of some of the
champions, with rather snore zeal thau prudence.
Loads FJdou, Redeadele, Farnham, and Winchelsea,
talked 'eiith their accustomed eloquence : Lord Eldon
of his cone:etency,—and, to say the truth, he is a
etatteit old bull-doge though somewhat savage, and will
die game: lard Farnham reproached the Government
of the last few years fur not having used " force" to the
Association. What was predicated by the others we
really do not recollect; but it was not less wise or
fintere.ting than usual. Load Anglesea spoke with great
tw4iiit and dignity, waving the eight Anil the intention—
ed' starting his own case, the first of which lie claimed,
end the **seam] of which he did not ahandoneesuntil after
he saw the inupreseion produced by the King's recommen-
dation of the Catholic cause to Parliament—an impression
which he generously refeised to disturb by any introduction
of his " private wrongs." The Noble Marquis, with great
(-twee and neatness, prescribed Alest best recipe for demolish-
ane the Catholic Association :—"Put," said he, " the
Ceehotie Body on the same footing as to political right",
%via their Protestant fellow-subjects, and my life on it you
Win Lear no more of the Association." Thus speak right
quoit and coArmualA gfr nee. The debate in the Lower House of
Parliament derived iesehief interest front the explanatory
slate tilts and personal tieCieiea of Mr. Peel, from the cordial
eoncurrenee in the measured oefreesed by several of the
Irish Members,----froin the support teetered to Govern-
ment in carryiag through the great woe by Mr.
Brougham, and his eloquent appeal to the Catholui Asso-
ciatiore to anticipate the proposed act of dissolution by dis-
eolviog itself, Mr. Peel showed, almost in the words used
by Lord Bathurat in the Upper Hosoaa the inconvenience
and danger of haft;og a divided Cabinet az she most vital
of all questions; and oat only a divided Cabinet, hot a di-
ended Legislature, four Houses of Commons lowing decided
to make concessions which the Lords had always resisted.
The Right Honourable Gentleman mentioned, that al-
mom immediately after the last piewonetion, be and his
Noble Colleague had seen the necessity of aonsidering the
question, wide a siew to its adjustment. Though he
coacurred with his Graze in that opinion, he still felt
bitneelf so embarrassed by his former conduct, that he
wished to resign, and it was ucdq by being assured that his
resignation might be injurious to the intended policy
that be .consented to retain office. Though the speech
from the Throne, in the usual manner, only recommended
Fi.,:eliatteene to take the question into their considera-
tion, he had toe hesitation in saying, without entering
inns details, that his Majesty's Government, on its
own amponsibiliy, would introduce is Bills the mea-
sures which they wou:e! recommend. Prougham,
after congratulating the House and the ceuntey,pn what
lie considered the settlement of the great question, said,
that lie presumed the Bill to be introduced would be a
large and liberal measure, removing all disabilities, and
opening all offices but perhaps one or two, excepted
on special grounds. The Honourable end Learned Gen-
tleman expressed a hope that the Bill for ecppressing the
Association would not be of a nature to affect the rights
of the subject beyond the point to which it was intended
to apply, and that the Association would render its opera-
tion nugatory by dissolving itself, us no longer necessary
to further an end which had been obtained. We refer to
our report for tine declarations of some members who retain
their former prejudices, and are actuated by their former
alarms. As to the Association itself, we bust they will
adopt the wise suggestion thrown out by the friends of the
Catholic body in both Houses, and dissolve themselves as
soon as the King's speech reaches Dublin.— Times.
The Speech from the Throne has not disappointed the
expectations which were entertained regarding it. The
Mated Ireland forms the subject of a recommendation to
Partietnent. A fastidious critic might object to the logic
of this pact of the Speech. We are (-stet told that the
Catholic Assoeiatien, if permitted to continue, will effec-
tually abstract eyeryeffart permanent!), to improve the con-
dition of Ireland, and that his Majesty feels assured that
seta powers will be cemented to hint as may enable him
me maintain his just authority ; and then, that when this
essential nhject shall have been aecemplislied, his Majesty
recommende the taking into consideration the whole condi-
tion of irel sled, and the reviewing the laws whieh impose
Alen disabilities use his Majesty's Roman Catholic subjects.
Now the whole condition of Ireland includes necessarily
the Associathen as a park; sia, what is more, the Asso
cation is a consequence of the laws which are to be
reviewed, and had its justificatieta in thee. laws ;
and as, by removing the cause we remove the con-
eequence, the consideration of the law first claims
our attention. But what is objectionable in point of
logic may yet be advisable in point of sense; for, what-
ever conduces to the end in view cannot be isaauitable. To
the Catholics, who see that the penal laws are about to be
repealed, it must be a matter of very little consequence that
alinieterit, in order to propitiate thaw who have been
brought to their senses by the efforts of the elesaociation
;neap them a little in their humour against it. It is as
well that the Association should cease to exist before the
repeal, as after it, when there is an assurance of a repeal.
The Legislature tried formerly to put down the Catholic
Association without success ; but, as was quaintly ob-
served by Sir Joseph Yurke, " the Association had now
nothing to do but to shut up its door ; to put one of
lirabinall'e leek patent hicks upon ie, god to put the key
emnewhere where it should never be beard a zzAin." That
the Catholic Association will save the Government ell fur-
titer trouble, may be inferred from the urgent calls made
02 the Legislature by Mr. Shiet and other Members, to take
the dangerous power with which they were unfortunately.
but necessarily invested, out of their hanks. So, then,
that question, which has so long agitated the le,eripire
from one extremity to the other, may now be con-
sidered fairly settled. " I consider, Sir, (said Mr.
Brougham, in an eloquent speech), the Catholic Question
na substantially carried (hear, hear, heard). I consider
that all the essential parts of the question are irretrievably
conceded; above and before all—the admission of Roman
Catholics into both Houses of Parliament, and their equal
eligibility with Protestants to the great offires of State,
with one or two exceptions, on which it is quite unne-
cessary at present to touch, and the peculiar nature of
which is such that the Catholics themselves must admit
that it is but fair and just that they should be excluded

from them." Posterity will be as much stirpiisefl at the ob-
stinacy with which the concession of the Catholic Claims
has so long been opposed, as we are ,at the ferment
into which our forefathers were thrown by Popish
plots; and may perhaps be unable to account f. r'
the encomiums so lavishly bestowed last night on tl e
Duke of Wellington, for bringing shout a settle-
ment of this question. Thus, for instance, Mr.
Brownlotv " declared most sincerely that he would
not exchange the name of the -Noble bestower of
such a boon, of the successful advocate of Cathrilic Eman-
cipation, for that of the Great Captain with whose name
the world rung, sinking under the trophies obtained in the
Peninsula, or granted by all the acclamations bestowed
upon ensanguined triumphs at Waterloo. He confessed he
envied ;he triumphs of this singularly fortunate man. It
was not to every man that fortune gave such an heritage,
to live under the circumstances and in the times which
Would enable us to bring all the jarring and contending in-
terests of such contending parties within the possibility of
tirangement." Yet, however incomprehensible this lan-
Otago may be in after ages, the praise is not the less de-
served. The merit of a Statesman is to be estimated, not
by the- resistance which he would have had to
encounter in a future age, but what he encountered
is his own. It may be difficult for men endowed
with a common measure of understanding to compre-
hend hereafter the cause of the hallucination under
which the opponents of Emancipation laboured; but
the obstinacy of its resistance to reason is sufficiently
demonstrated by:the failure of almost every Statesman of
eminence in this country in their endeavouts to tranquil-
lize Ireland by means of doing justice to the Catholics.—
Something may be' due to fortune ; but every man cannot
take the tide at the flood which leads on to fortune; and
he who is so uniformly fortunate in his undertakings must
be deserving of his fortune, though he himself may not be
very fortunate in his endeavours to explain why he is sio.-
3lr. Peel was extremely happy in his exposition of the rea-
sons by which he was determined to assent to Emancipa-
tion. " Seeing the embarrassments which the principle
of disagreement on the subject of concession had created
hitherto in the construction of the Cabinet—seeing the
embarrassment which its prevalence extended to the admi-
nistration of affairs in Ireland—and seeing farther that these
embarrassments not only continued, but greatly increased, I
came to the conclusion that things ought not to remain
as they are." The wonder is not that he slimed see
these things now, but that he should not have seen them
long ago—not that he should have arrived at the conclu-
sion now that things ought not to remain as they are, but
that he ever arrived at any other conclusion. The Right
Honourable Gentleman was, perhaps, sefferine• under an
ophthalmia, caught at Oxford, which the Duke of Wel.
lington succeeding in curing. However this may be, let
us thank God for his now seeing 'as clearly as if he had
never had any dimness of vision. The fact is, that the
moment the Duke of Wellington declared in favour of con-
cession, there was no use in being blind any longer ; for,
as was strongly but truly observed by Mr. Brougham, the
formation of a Cabinet on the principle of continued re-
sistance to the Catholic Climes was physically impossible.

Sir (said the Learned Gentleman); leouteild tliat there
are no materials in existence for such a Cabinet. Suppose

the Right Honourable Gentleman opposite, unfortunately
for his country, unfortunately for his own reputation, had
continued to tulbere to his opinion that the Claims of
the Catholics ought never to he listened to, he alone
must have fo►med, of all the persons here—l speak, of
course, of the persons capable o f administering the affairs
of a great nation,—he alone, with the exception of one
or two other individuals on the bench above him, and with
the exception of one or two Noble Persons, Members of a
House to which it would be disorderly further to allude—
he alone must have formed the Cabinet by which continual
resistance could have been made to the settlement of the
Catholic Question." We know of nothing which so soon
opens the eyes of men as considerations of an urgent na-
ture connected with themselves personally. The dis-
tracted state of Ireland was an evil—the disagreement
the Cabinet with regard to concession, paralysing, as it
did, the action of Government, was an evil ; but these
evils might have been borne with long enough ; but the
quitting one Administration without the hope of eve,
ti►rming part of another, was an evil which could not be
borne with. Lord Eldon belongs to another age ; and a
speech from an old Puritan Divine, recommending forbear-
ance to presumed witches, would not have more surprised his
hearers, than a single liberal sentiment from his Lordship
would siaprise the present generation. What a havoc in
the Protestant Conatittigtai has he been doomed to see!—
first the repeal of the Test Laws, and now the repeal of the
last vestiges of the Penal Laws against the Catholics. Sad
inroads these on the wisdom of our ancestors. But we
will not waste words on the few unimportant advocates
which the cause of Bigotry still has in the two Houses of
Parliante4i. We find metal more attractive in the hearty
congratulations frau: iii 0;4.0# PP the great triumph yesterday
obtained by the cause of justice and pglipy. We trust that
the sanguine anticipations to which expression was yesterday
given will be realized in their utmost extent—that the dis-
tinctions of religion will hereafter i.e lost in the grand dis-
tinction of a ijiik:4 people.—Morning Chronicle.

The Duke of Wellington, it must be admitted, is as
boll in the Cabinet as in the field ; and, it he accomplishes
what he is now attempting, will not only have the mere
of obtaining a conquest over the strongest prejudices of the
country, but, whit ia of more consequence, as far as his
Grace himself is concerned, a convest over himself. The
puke's conversion, lit•wever, it must ha all:pitted, is some-
whit sudden. We do not say that his Grace has not al-
ways wished, as every fair and ratinual man in the country
has lung iirmet that the Catholic Question should be set at
rest. At the aanie time it cannot be forgotten, that onl y
two months ago, we have the Duke's recorded opinion, itn
his own letter to Dr. Curtis, that lie nuked upon its earl
settlement as utterly hopeless ; and we are at a lass to per Y
ceive what new light can, in so short a time, have arisonu"
or what 4ltered circumstances there are, which can justify'
the putting kip the King's Speech sentiments an
hopes so widely dikrent firm those so lately avowed
by the King's Minister. We du nut fiud fault with thi e
:ipparent inconsistency, though we think it pipit 1,
admitted to fro nish a reason for public men not writing
uncalled- for letters to treacherous or blabbing correspon
it is true, that we are told that the dissolution ,
the Associ44:4? must piecede any measure of concesssion
—This may, or gr 4:, be judicious. That the Asso-
ciation is what is what is dr-lici.;bsd to be in the King's
Speech—viz. "dangerous to the put& idee;:e, and in-
consistent with the spirit of the Constitution".—that, in
the stinng and appropriate language of the same import-
ant document., 4 keeps alive discord and amongst
Ilia Majesty's subject); if e 4 must, if permitted to con-
tinue, obstruct every effort pertnauerrtly to improve the
condition of Ireland"—we readily admit; in 4 on the
other laud,
we are as firmly convinced that the mem
hers of the I.4eopiation will, and not without a show of
reason, have worked 4; .own end (its avowed rather than
its real end, perhaps), and wi4 gjaim to itself the merit
of having obtained that by clamour, 444c1i the rea-
soning of Pitt, of Grenville, of Fox, Burke, Grattan,
and Cuing could never petsuade the Government or
Parliament 49 But the Duke, on the other hand,
may claim the merit ni haying turned the tables upon
the demagogues of the Aasociati.:4; the firmly believe,
would as soon see Ireland swallowed up in tle se; ay that
the object should be obtained which they profess to advo-
!cate, but by the non-obtainment of which alone they live
and have thcip being. What ! Rent and the Associa-
tion die together f Ffeageps, what a loss! 'the killing of
the golden-egg laying gonae wit? Ming to it. And now
remains the farce of snaking a virtue of np!repity. All
things must have an end. and the end of the Association
draws nigh. What will be the language which we shall
hear 41:.0,1 the omasion ? Why we shall be told that it
had always inter.gerl to dissolve itself whenever Emancipa-
tion was obtained ; and Prerelbre, if its dissolution
is accompanied by that measure, Partiatiieo ip only doing
by it what it would have done by itself. But, however
cruel it tram +giver, we must check its vanity even in its
.lying moments.—Mey .flerald.

'rho Session of Parliament vas yAitei4c.y opened by a
Royal Speech delivered by Commission, an ofOcial copy of
which is givers in 'An. Deport. As far as regards our Fo-
reign Relations, 441 ,t,4e ,c,somunications in this Royal Do-
eumvit are of a dcscription hjgli y s4isfq.ctory—alike cre-
ditable to the Went* ansl lionoitinttske to the prit.ciples of his
Majesty's Government ; ,w 1 nothing can be more gratify-
ing than the mention which is mid; 0' tli,e continued im-
provement of the Revenue, and the increaacil cgmfort and
prosperity of the People. But the most important part of
the is that which relates to the State of Ireland.—
His Majesty with all his loyal anbjeets, the long
existence in that countri,;(f:T lawless a body as that of the
Catholic Association, which is jnstiy cis;; .!ribed as dangerous
to the public peace and inconsistent with' 'de sp4-'4 the
ConsCuigiop—,, which keeps alive discord and
amongst his Sla;;ti-.y's subjects, and which must, if permitted
to eontinue,effectuallyob irt;cteyeryeffortpermanently to im-
prove the can litho] of Ireland." His *:a;egy therefore relies
and with full confidence may he rely, that -Pitiliatnept
(sanctional and applauded in their proceedings by the
general sense and voice of the nation) " will commit to
him such powers as may enable him to maintain his just
authority." When this essential object shall have been
accomplished, it is recommended to Parliament to take
into their consideration the whole condition of Ireland,

and review the laws relating to his Majesty's gown Ca-
tholic subjects. In the performance-of this task, however;
his Majesty is abundantly explicit in regard to the neces-
nary limitation of the subject :—" You will ooasider (says
'his Majesty) whether the removal of those disabilities can
be effected consistently with the full and permanent secu-
rity of our Establishments in Church and State, with tG e
maintenance of the reformed religion estahlished 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, adds his Majesty, " are institutions
which must ever be held sacred in this Protestant king-
dom," and which it is alike the duty and the determina-
tion of his Majesty to preserve inviolate." With this de-
claration on the part of his . Majesty--a declaration
every way worthy of a great and glorious Protestant
King—we are satisfied. His Majesty and his Go-
vernment are resolved to preserve inviolate the
full security of our Establishments in Church and
State ; and that security cannot remain permanent or
inviolate, if the claims of the daring Agitators are con-
ceded to their atrocious menaces. We trust, however,
that conformably to his Majesty's earnest recommendation,
Parliament will enter upon the consideration of a subject
" so deeply interesting to the best feelings of the people,"
with the temper and moderation necessary to the due con-
sideration of the subject; and in that case we shall have
but little to fear for " the permanent security of our Esta-
blishments in Church and State," In the first instance
we are most anxious for a dispassionate consideration of
the question, convinced as we fully are that the more coolly
and attentively it is discussed, the more will the danger be-
come manifest of removing front the Constitution the only
barriers by which it can be permanently secured.—
In agreeing to consider the subject, they do not
bind themselves to any specific measure, but will,
on the contrary, be perfectly free to oppose the pro-
gress of any proposition to which they may object, or
to refuse to concede a single point without the most
ample security being afforded to the Protestant Establish.
mint in Church and State. They may on this occasion
fairly and safely take for their guide the sentiments and
conduct of the immortal Pitt, who, though not an enemy
to concession, thus emphatically and forcibly expressed
himself :—" I have never been one of those who have be-
lieved that the term Emancipation is in the smallest degree
applicable to the repeal of the few remaininePenal Stit-
toes to which the Roman Catholics are still liable. I cer-
tainly was of opinion, that under a United Parliament
those privileges might be granted uuder proper guards and
ceurlitions, so as net to produce any danger to the Estab-
lished Church, or the Protestant Constitution. But,
Sir, in -delivering this frank opinion, I do not shut my
eyes to this conviction, that a Roman Catholic, how-
ever honourable his intentions may be, must feel anxious
to advance the interests of his religion—it is the nature of
man. He may disclaim and renounce this wish for a time,
but there is no man who is at all acquainted with the opera-
tions of the human heart who does not know that the Roman
Cada° lie must feel that anxiety when the power and oppor-
tunity may be favourable to him. I never thought that it
would have been wise or prudent to have- thrown down
rudely or abruptly the guards and fences of the Constitu-
tion ; but I did think that if the system I have alluded to
had been deemed proper to be adopted, it ought to have
been accompanied with those checks and guards, and with
every regulation that could have given additional respect
anal influence to the Established Church, to the support
and protection of the Protestant interests, and to the en-
couratement of every measure that could tend to propa-
sate Awl spread the example of a Protestant
religion. "
Ne,desire can be more near the heart of every true
friend of his country than that of trauquillisiug
and rendering prosperous end happy so important
a portion of the Empire as Ireland ia universally ac-
knowledged to he ; but it remains to he shown that the
means proposed are likely to produce the desired effect.
We regret to say, that we do not think they will have any
tendency. It is not by the adoption of measures
which serve only to gratify the wishes of the turbulent and
d 'affected demagogues who have so long proved themselves
t re curse of their devoted country, that so desirables result
cc us reasonably be expected. Instead of yielding to an out-
rageous and rebellious faction, who have no other feeling
Clan that which regards their own mischievous purposes,
la means be adopted for ameliorating the condition of the
wretched people who are at prasent a prey to the maphina-
taus of the worst enemies of the country, and the tranrinil-
I ty, the prosperity, and the general happiness of Ireland,
are at once accomplished. The debates in both Houses
last night upon these subjects will be found highly import-
ant. It is undeniable that a very strong feeling was mani-
fested against the avowed intentions of Ministers to admit
Roman Catholics to politiesl power in an extensive de-
gree, upon certain conditions, which we fear Fen never
prove satisfactory to the true friends of the Coustitu.
tion ; and this feeling cannot fail to be materially encrea,,ed
wheu the universal expression of the public feeling comes
to be heard within the walls of Parliament, in the innu-
merable petitions against the Catholic Claims with which
the tables of bpth Houses will shortly be crowded and
overspread. The Duke of ViVellington in the PrJs? and
Mr. Peel in the C,oininons, made most candid and manly
avowals of the views of Government on this occasion ; and
the Right Hon. Secretary entered at some length into the
necessary explanation of the motives by which Alinistere
have been acteated ip the line of conduct which to our
deep regret they have thus been itaduceil to pursue. Wt
have at preterit neither time nor space for any further ob-
servations; but we shall take an early opportunity of re-
turning to the painful subject. —Morning Post.

Assent shoula be Oven to any till for total and unqualifie
Emancipation.
Mr. SLoAss was called to the Chair, and the meeting
adjourned.