Star.
London, England, 1813-05-14 00:00:00

on great fundamental points of the Constitution,
view of repealing them simply. The wisest
Was to see what the Catholics could be indida
I, notwithstanding any reproaches that might
on such a mode of Legislation. This was the
already acted upon in Ireland, in granting pris
to the Catholics. It was the mode acted on
ly periods, such as in the statute of the sth of
ieth, for the establishment of the supremacy,
the Catholic Peerage was kept out of the Bill,
•own declaring its satisfaction with that part of
tholic body. He, therefore, approved of the dis-
t and judgment shewn in the present Bill. As
policy of it, he should endeavour to state his
distinguishing his difference of opinion from
q' the framers. The measure was wise under
securities ; and he wanted none which the
of the Catholics could not notoriously give
State. The Bill proceeded on the prin.
if granting all the powers of the Constitu-
Cath with security to our church and
The Hon. Member felt it due to the church of
Id to secure it from all that might be prejudi.
it ; and also to 'abstain from the interference
rrotestant -state with the spirituals of the Ca-
religion. BLit. the very nature of the privileges.
'onceded, and especially the legislative eligibi-
ight give a large share of authority, not mere-
general interests, but particularly the inte-
rests of the Church as connected with the State.—
That most desirable part of the measure; the bring-
ine Catholics into Parliament, would give them that ,
power : they ought, therefore, to be prepared' to ex-
pect some regulations. The concession and the power
conferred were points not to be divorced. The oath
was prescribed as the only means of security against
all the dangers which were apprehended on various
grounds. He (Lord C.) had not the slightest feel-
ing of distrust, in these tones, of the Oaths of the Ca-
tholics. They had shewn their principles by. their
seclusion from offices, on account of their conscien-
tious feelings respecting an oath. But he objected to
making an oath the sole ground of security between
Catholic and Protestant, and as meeting all probable
dangers: this shewed great poverty of legislation,' and
a want of knowledge of mankind; for society was not
to be held together; crimes prevented, and the dis-
charge of social and public duties enforced, by taking
oaths, however honest, on the construction of the
particular parties. Old honest prejudices must be
consulted, and combined for the welfare of society.
Out of the conflict of various interests must be, found
the security for all. By the combining of different
interests against each other, the general result was
brought out, which conduced to the general wel-
fare. Having no objection to 'the proposed oaths,
yet he contended generally, that oaths were not a
stricient guarantee against all dangers to society.
—He allowed that no oaths could be more compre-
hensive than those provided ; and that the small
number of those who had already taken them, formed
no objection, since even here Protestants who did "
not receive offices, did not qualify for them. The
first oath was as much a security as an oath could
be. The second oath to be proposed by a Right Ho-
nourable Gentleman was fairly arrested against all
the t" (*gees which his clauses were intended to meet.
In every view his Lordship had taken of the ques-
tion, he had gone beyond the simple security of an
oath. When any set of men were to receive great
advantages, they would be unwise to agitate the re-
moral of the theoretical inconveniences, by which they
might disturb the general temper, in seeming to ex-
tort that which they might, perhaps, gain easier at
another time. In the case of the Dissenters 13111, in
a late Session, he believed that even as a concilia-
tory measure, had it been brought in at an oppor-
tune moment, it might have disturbed the harmony
of the country, and the Councils of State. Practical
wisdom seemed to have been exceeded in one point.
R.b,Kly felt stronger than he did the impropriety of
any law entirely precluding Dissenters from holding
offices—hut he felt that there would be great reluct-
ance to s'lake an ancient established law: and the Dis.
bolters obtained relief by annual Parliamentary sus-
peas, .n. which they might not get, by other means ;
and.they had been for a lone time without, as far as
sustaining any inconvenience from the
Tes. Laws. He did not oppose the enjoyment dem-
n 3 privileges by the Catholics ; but it was iror.
t,r o' eie Right Honourable Gentleman's considera-
ti wlwther the repeal of the Test Laws should be
aptated along with this measure. The case of the
Catiiolics did not precisely apply to the Dissenters :
ye. it might be called an anomaly to refuse the re-
p 1 r.f the Tests to the Dissenters. It was of
inporrance, therefore, to consider what might be
tte effect of the present proceedings—(Near, Bear.)
II the 'Pests rested inconveniently do any portion of
ts• King's subjects, he would encounter all the diffi-
• culties of a repeal; but he doobted the prudence of
°sapling it with this measure. In Ireland there was
4,) Lev, but great numbers of Catholics; in Scotland
tone, hut very few Catholics. The annual relief
from the test laws might still be afforded; and the
emission of them now might avoid a question incon-
tetient in this country.—(Hear, !sear.)--it he was
living in this view of the matter, he should be happy
to he set right. The Right Hon. Gentleman (Mr.
Canning), in his proposed clauses, had fairly directed
them towards two great fundamental dangers : that
of foreign authority in spirituals, :;.d that of such
authority working, by means inconsistent with the
Constitution and security of this country. He was
not bigotted to any former notions, but he wished,
consistently with his duty, fairly to examine how far
his prii.ciples were satisfied by means conducive to
the welfare and support of the State. He did not
!Tile now °n details, but it must not be expected of
aim to concvde principles which were affected by de-
tads. From time to time he had alluded to the means
to be employed, and he wished to chew why he thought
the Proposed regulations would fall short of their ob.
lest- He was always for making such provisions as.
would
not wound the feelings of Catholics, nor attempt
/0 compel them to disclosures contrary to their reli-
gion but he always desired to guard against the cur-
rency of the acts of a foreign power in phis country
cPerating in the nature of laws. He admitted that
this was Attempted in one clause • but if the Right
}inn. Gentleman and himself meant the same thing,
he did not despair of coming to an understanding
ups in He would state his own measure. He had
always professed that he did not mean to exclude the
acts of the See if Rome, such as Bulls and Rescripts ;
bat he looked at their natural inffuence on men's

1111
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