Star.
London, England, 1828-11-11 00:00:00

PROTESTANT MEETING AT NEWTON.

It having been announced that a Public Meeting
would be held at Newton Abbott, on Wednesday, for
the impose of petitioning Parliament against any fur-
ther concessions to the Roman Catholics, the streets of
that town, long before the hour apppointed for meeting,
presented evidences that the subject excited the greatest
interest both in Newton and its neighbourhood. It was
originally intended to hold the meeting at the Globe
inn, but as the house cm tained no. room large enough
to accommodate the numerous pet sons who were likely
to attend, .it was resolved that the subject should be
discussed in the open street, near the church, where
hustings were accordingly promptly erected, by laying
planks across two waggons which were brought to the,
spo'. 0 the hustings were displayed two union jacks,
and another iI4A waved from the top ()Eche church tower.
At about a quarter to oae o'clock, Colonel MALIN or Ipplepen,
was called to the Chair, at which time above 2,090 persons had

-
assembled.
Mr: DRAKE—The object of the Meeting was to peti- I
lion Parßament that the Bates!) Constitution, as estab.
lishcd by the glorious Revolution of 1688, might be
preserved unimpaired and inviolate—(Loud cheers).—
It had been stated in various quarters, that with regard
to the Catholic Question Devon was asleep. He had
him:ell seen a caricature—and we all liked a pretty
picture—(Laughter)—in which the English Counties
were revresemed in different ways, and Devon was de-
picted as enjoying a profound slumber. This mi,;ht all
be very pretty; but he thought that from riis time fur.
ward, art,enever she fell asleep, some hearty Newton
fellow would poll her by the sleeve, and waken her up
by bawling out, is Remember the sth of N ivember—
(Great laughter). After a few further remarks, Mr.
Drake read the requisition, and a lever from Captain
rellew, regretting his unavoidable absence, and ex.
pressing his er tire approval of the object of the Meet.
ing, concluding by hoping that a County Meeting
would soon express the attachment of the inhabitants of
Devon to the Con titnion.
The fallowing letter from Mr. BASTARD, our wor-
thy County Member, was then read :
" Kitley, Nov. 4, lOU.
" 11fv Dams Sia—l beg you to accept my best thanks for your
communicatioo of the hand-bill announcing a Meeting of the Inbar
ititatits of Newton and its vicinity to be held to-morrow, for the
purpose of forwarding a Petition to Government against any far.
ther concessions to the Roman Catholics. To those coocusions,
whenever the subject bu been agitated in the House of Commons,
since I have bad the honour of a seat in it, I have been invariably
opposed, front the conviction that it was a questiou not of religious
I.beny, which is already enjoyed in its fullest extent by every in.
disidual throashout the United Kingdom, but of political expe-
diency, seriou.ly affecting the vital interests of our Constitution in
Church and State.
" Entertainiug this opinion, I do not hesitate to declare. that
unless Catholic Emancipation (as it Is called) can be coupled with
aderte securities to the Protestant Estabiliasinsent. sr/6kb bas ant
yet Maur, as I Istitire, can case be devised, I wiU Lava cos-

" That your Petitioners have viewed with much regret the
proceedings that have been carrying en for a long time past in
Ireland, with the Intention of obtaining further Concessions to
the Roman Catholics. They feel themselves, therefore, called
as to express their strong attachment to those Protestant prin
*les by which our civil and religious liberties have hitherto been
preserved.
44 And they further beg leave to approach your Honourable
Hesse, humid), but earnestly harming that the Protestant COll.
siltation of the United Kingdom may be preserved entire and in-
violate. And your Petitioners will ever pray."
A Uentendoes burst of cheering followed.
Captain B. Buu.sa—l would beg to point your at-
-Itendon to that part of the Petition which refers with
,deep regret to the late disturbances in Ireland, which,
we are told, will never cease till the cis it disabilities of
the Catholics are removed. The true source of these
disturbances is the ignorance in which the priesthood
keep the agricultural population.--(cheer )---by denying
them the Bible, and by pet forming the service of heir
Church in a language which the people cannot under-
stand. Will they be mote liberal if the disabilities are
taken away?_(., No, no, they would not?) I believe
that the case would be very different. There are now
individuals in Ireland—members of the Protestant
Church—who ate endeavouring to remedy the evils of
that country, by the imparting of religions instruction
to the peasantry, and if they persevere in their benevo-
lent and philanthropic designs. we may yet live to see
Ireland happy and at peace, instead if being torn to
pieces by internal faction. By our Protestant principles
we are taught to honour the King—that King who has
taken a solemn oath to maintain our Protestant Consti-
tution in all its purity—but do we honour him when we
Allow him to fear that his subjects will not afford him
the encouraging strength of their s ippon? It is time
that we should rise to the support of our King—to ral'y
round our Constitution, and to show the woild that we
are not desirous of any change in r nr laws and institu-
tions—(" We want no change'). tient!emen, I beg to
conclude by heartily seconding the Petition which has
been proposed for your adoption—(Rattisrous cheering).
Major LINDHAM, of Livermead, near Torquay, then
offered himself to the notice of the Meeting, and com-
menced by saying, It England expects every man to do
his duty." I have never shrunk from mine, and I never
will--(Cheers). It is with sincere pleasure that I con-
gratulate the inhabitants of Newton and its vicinity at
having taken the lead, as far as regards Devon, in this
1, gloriais cause. It is the most inestimable pi ivilrge of
Englishmen to meet together for the purpose of peti-
tioning the Legislature of their coui try ; and while their
.
opinions are thus expressed in a calm, constitutional.
though firm manner, the welfare and glory of the coun-
try will remiin as firm and unshaken as the rocks by
which she is surrounded—(Cheer-). We are met to
express our determin,tion to uphold our Constitu-
tion in Church and State—(" We are, we are")—to
uphold that Constitution, which has conferred more
inestimable blessings on this land that are enjoyed
by any other country in the woad—And never was
tie expression of public feeling more called for titan
it is at the present moment—(" We will give it“).—
The Prime Minister of this kingdom has said, that ills
opinion shall be guided by the voice of the people. and
I need not say how much that opinion is worth. It has
been said that the general opinion of this country is in
favour of Catholic Emancipation ; but I do hope. Gess
denten, that you will this day aid me in showing that
your feelings, and the feelings of the county do not lie
in that direction—(Cheers). The Roman Catholics com-
plain if oppiession and hardships; and by demanding,
with threats the removal of the disabilities, show that
they are teady to take by force what the law of the
land withholds front them. But what hardships,
should like to know, have they to complain o1?
(None). Is their property less secure—are their persons
less protected—are they ptevented horn enjoying the
fruits of their labours—are they disturbed in the wor-
ship of their gods, No, no—there is not one t f those
who advocate their cause that can say this is the ca .e;
but the truth is, they sadly want to have a hand in the
Government ; they wish to get at the top, and then kick
us hereticit out—(Cheers and laughter). They are,
however, perfectly aware of the peculiarities or John
Bull—they know that he will not go into this s tare
with his eyes open. If they acknowledge that the)
do not believe in the infallibility of the Po; e—that
they have no desire to persecute and singe heretics-.
that they are tpst the same kind of Catholics as those
we see in Spain—then I say they ate reformists, and
let them entitle themselves to our reception by giving
the prover proofs of these things. But I will show that
they are not changed. They say they owe no obedience
to the Pope in civil matters—(" That all a hum') i
but it is a glaring fact that the Piiesthood ate kept by
him in the most slavish thraldom, which as a manor
f course is intended to ;hose etware•un.ter their KA. ,

my point, and will repeat my regret that the banner of
intolerance has been first raised in this tow n, and I most
Also say how sorry I am to witness the tone which this
meeting has assumed—(Great uproar, mingled with
cries of " Hear him, fair play.") Stlerce being then
established, Mr. Jones proceedeJ to reca; itolete (with-
out acknowledgment) some of the leading points of Mr.
'Shiers speech, no spoken, at P...send n Heath. Tnese
were, that Magna Charts was obtained for England by
Catholics—that in France Protestants are admit ed to
civil offices—tl at in Germany all religi. ns are placed
on an equality—that the Protestants o: E .gland bete
haired to theit Catl.o'ic fellnw count:) men, nue ly on
account of a difference in religi. us opinions; and such
like attempts at argument. to which common sense
supplies an antidote. but which bare been a bundled
times dignified by refutation. fie then said, England
is the list courtry in which intolerance prevails—
Look at the tisnig Republics of South America-0 e
men who lifted them into indepenJence and liberty
were Catholics ; and can it then be fall, said that
the Catholic Religion is a religion of !lint: y ? I will
give you a along instance of the liberality cf the Ca.
tholics :—The Spanish Government—the Griveinment
of a Catholic country—during the late war placed the
Duke of Wellington, wl ois a P.otestant, at ah bead of
its army ? Can this be called intoleiance ?—(Grert
uproar). I speak only of facts—can you disprove them ?
i_e. Remember the Inquisi!ion"). S'ime (kit eman
says, it Remember th• Inquisition"—l will direct him
to an English Inquisaion—the Spiritual Conti—let hos
look at home before he finds fault abroad—(Laughter).
—l.think I have :elated to you facts which cannot be
ialsified; and 1 hope, in the decision which you will
this day come to, you will not suffer your judgments
to be led away by ridiculous tales. B:fore I conclude.
I must beg to call your attention to the Catholics of
your own neghbouthood to disprove the assertion that
they are not suffered to read their Bibles. Go into the
cottages of the Catholics who live around you, and tell
me whether you see the Bible tl:ere or not? The Rev.
Gentleman concluded by proposing an amendment.
James Rolm, Esq. of Iroddescombeleigh. seconded
the amendment, and 1)1i/fly observed, that his ws,nive
for doing so was because he wished tec restoration of
peace and good will among his Majesty's SU hi cis. He
concluded by expte•sing his entire concurrence in tie
sph it of the amendment, and observed that i: was ex-
tremely hard that the Catholics should be set down as
rebels before they had been tried. •
The Rev. NI,. Lain, tai litisharn, then presented
himself to the Meeting. and was received a ith loud and
continued cheers. The Lusting• can hardly be called a
proper place tot a cleigs m tit, but his presence may,
perhaps, be allowtd ou au occasion Ilk, the present,
when t..e object in d scussion is of a religious nature.
Whether, however, it is ti ht or not fm me to stand
in my present tituatiiin. 1 li e been affors!ed a suffi-
cient precedent by a nevi rend Gettlenian who has
spoken Wore me, anal 1 do reliantly feel a wish that
it should not go abro td that only one Clergyman
should have spoken at this letting. I am unwilling
that Mr. Jones should be &zeroed the only ele-
lical iepresentatise of this part of the county.—
I am certainly at odds in meeting so practised an orator,
but in this cause the meanest stripling in the camp of
Israel may go frith with his sling and his 't me against
this Goliah of GAO-. I trust that GOD IA ill not let a
good cause fail from the steAness of its advocate
Without touching on the qttestiln of cimsistency, we
must allow that it is very chivalric of Mr. Jones, as a
Protestant Clergyman, to stand finch as the advocate of
Popery. We must all give the Rev: Gentleman credit
for his liberality, but we must not let him engross all
the liberality to himself. He talk• of the hatred of Pro-
testants towards the Catholics. We entertain no such
feeling t9wards them; I love them as m n— and a
fine spirited race of men would they be if they were
once released from the thraldom ezeici•ed over them
by their Piiests ; we allow the Catlidics every possible
credit. If we consult history, we shall find the accords
of numerous traits of Catholic character, and especially
amcug those of our own land. I would pay the homage
of applause to the character of a Nobleman (Lord Clif-
ford) residing in this very neighbourhood—(•a We all
do")—but I will at the same time make this observatien,
--thee great sand gooslesps it is pot the Cathie

ilr.

ot

E

Religion which has made them so. We allow, I repeat,
every possible credit to the Roman Catholics ; we wish
them in be as ourselves; we wish them to partake of
he
• e plink which is indigenous to the British soil. Toe
Rev. Gentleman has spoken of the Barons who aimed
Magna Charta, and has said that they were Roman
- Catholics: they supported the cause of liberty, how-
ever, not because they were Catholics, but because they
were Englishmen—(Continted cheering). We wish to
see the Catholics emancipated, but it is not the sort of
Emancipation which the Rev. Gentleman wishes; we
want to see them emancipated from the Priests, and
from the power of the factious and turbulent dema-
gogues of Ireland. We want to see the manacles struck
off their minds—to see thein released from the degrading
fetters of error and superstition—allowed to think for
themselves—endowed with liberty of conscience—free of
the Bible—for he is a freeman only whom the truth
makes free, and all besides are slaves. While, however,
we applaud the Catholics as men, we cannot help sepa•
rating them from principles. The Bible proves the
Roman Catholic Church to be unscriptural, persecuting,
prone to intolerance; it was a persecuting Church of
old, and it is so still ; it has never made any formal
'enunciation, no public disavowal of its objectionable
tenets;—(Never, never)—it still retains those objec-
tionable tenets; and I fear this Church is exactly
the same id spirit as when the fires of Smithfield were
lighted up. We do not want for facts to prove this—
we have only to look at Ireland—we have only to recal
to our memories the massacre of the bridge of Wex-
ford, and the horrible affair of Scullabogue, where a
number of Protestants were crowded together in a
barn, and burned to death; and where even a little
infant, which was thrust out of the window by its
mother, for the purpose of saving its life, was received
by a brutal ruffian on the end of a pike, and thrust
back into the flames to perish. These are sufficient
and palpable evidences of the unchanged spirit of
the Catholics. It is for this persecuting Church, as
it is now and ever will be—(Cheers)—that conces-
sions are now sought from the Protestants, and, for-
s- oth, the Catholics apply to us as if they were slave; but
while they seem to beg as a favour the concession of
their demands, their demeanour evidently betrays that,
by anticipation at least, they think themselves our an-
cestors. They ask for liberty, because they know that
is a talismanic word which goes down with Englishmen
—(Cheers). But I need not tell you that charity should
begin at home, and that we must have a regard for our
own liberty before we think of that of others. How
long would our liberties remain after the granting of
Catholic Emancipation? A very short time, I fear—
(Cheers). They shall then have every kind of liberty
but the liberty of injuring us--(Cheers). We will not
put arms into the hands of those who evince every dis-
position to use them for our destruction—(Loud cheer-
ing). It has been said that concession is the only
means by wbch Ireland can be quieted, but I
should be glad to know what concession has ever
effected ? Has not every concession hitherto granted
to the Catholics been made a steppingstone to further
aggrandisement?—(Cheers, and " that's true"). We
have now the vantage round, and it will be madness
to forfeit IVe never will"). With all the caution
which has lately characterized the Catholics, they have,
nevertheless, at times, " let the cat out of the bag ;" and
from the very intelligible hints which have been dropped,
we may be assured that they wi:l never pause in their
career till they have planted their feet on the neck of
the Protestant Religion—(l fear, hear ; " they never
shall")—they would in fact cease to be good Catholics,
if they were to grant tolerat•on to heretics. Our plan
of concession must stop somewhere; but wherever
we pause, we shall hear similar complaints to those
which the Catholics urge at the present moment—we
shall be involved in the same kind of contest, but
with less power on our side to carry on the struggle.
We have seen them going on from step to step—from
supplication to demand—from demand to threat—till
they have stood boldly forth and plainly given us to
understand that if Emancipation be not granted they
will take it by li.rce. We are not, however, to be bul-
lied into a measure—(cheers)—we are not accustomed
to such dictation ; and bete, I will say, that if their re-
quest were ever so reasonable, the manner in which they
urge it is so objectionable, that it ought not to be
planted. They tell us that they demand nothing but
their just and lawlul tights. 1 think, however, it has
been sufficiently proved, before the present day, that the
people have no natural tights to Constitutional privi-
leges. In the formation of a Constitution there is a
covenant entered into between it and the people, and
all subjects who perform their part of the social com-
pact, will be.freely admitted to all the privileges of
that Constitution. Tt e Roman Catholics do not ful-
fil their part of the national covenant neither can
they w thout changing their objectionable tenets—and,
as they will give us no security, we can give them no
power till they become changed in principle—(Cheers).
Again, they urge the settlement of their demands on
the giounds of expediency. One Gentleman has said
that we ought not to exclude the Catholics from power
on the mere presumption that they will endanger the
Constitution—he has told you that before condemning
them, you ought to try the experiment, but let me ask
him one qiiestion—if the experiment should fail, when
are we then?—(Cheering). It would indeed be a most
fearful kind of expel imenia wtli and desperate game,
which 1, for one, am fat from being inclined so play ;
for it theezperiment should not answer, it would afford
s but a very poor consolation to be told that we were
mistaken in our views. We waist no change—we are
sa.i.fied with what we now enjoy—are you not all
aa-
trsfi d ?—(Cries o,f " We are," and immense cheeii is)
England is at present the mistress of the world—she nl
pre.emment in arts, in arms, and in religion. We wish
by exptess;ng the sentiments r f the country to back up
the Miatsters in support of the Constitution, and to diss
prove she erroneous assertii ri, that the feeling of Eng-
land is in harsur of Catholic Emancipation. One would
t lso.k,‘rom the speeches of the advocates of this measure,-
trot lieland was a very distant and separate nation, but
I would beg ao inform those Gentlemen that the Church
Ei.gland and Ireland are one; it is necessary, there-
f•ne, that we should lend our firm support to our Pro.
testact brethren in that pact of the empire, and show
t!,tm that they were not without friends in England—
( Loud cheering). 1 will make another observation befose
I conclude. We are told that we must do something
with respect to the Catholic Question. What shall we
do? Any thing but concession, which has hitherto
been wtended with no one beneficial effect. If you
ark what course I would adopt, I should say, treat the
*Catholics kindly but firmly; we want no penal 13ws—
no needless prosecutions; show them that we are Oleic
friends; and that while we give them no hope of poti.
tical aggrandisement, they have nothing to fear trom
us ; t us show theist at the same time that we do
not fear them—(Cheers). If this course be put.
sded—it pains be taken to deliver them from the
yoke of the Priesthood.—if means are taken to advance
Deem let civilization, we shall speedily see things in
a very different state—(Cheering). While, however,

we deny them the political advantages which they
seek, I must c4ll upon the Meeting re fie' for their
fellow-subjects in Ireland—(Cheers, and " We do.")
But you must proceed firmly in the course which I have
pointed our. You would, no doubt, stir up some blus-
terings in the Cotholic Associarinn•, and perhaps cause
some slight excitation among,tlse people, but you wouhl
have no rebellion. By and bye, you would see a true
union brtween the two countries ; the populdtion would
stand together like a band of brothels; and from the
Atlantic to the German Ocean you would bear one
gertrAl voice crying, '" Glory to Goss in the highest,
peace on earth, and good will to all men."—E fhe
Reverend Gentleman retired amidst immense and con.
tinned cheer ingj.
R. EAT.)N, Esq. of T, ignmouth, followed with an ex-
cellent speech, but we regret that our space will not
admit of its insertion.

P. PEA RSE, Esq. a Catholic, next said a few words on
the opposite side.
Capt.WHITE, R.N. of Buckfastleigh Abbey, then said,
a After the many elcquent speeches which have been de-
livered to you, I am almost ashamed to offer myself to
your notice, but I have one argument to adv trice in my
favour, which is, that what I have to say to you w II be
comprised in a very few words. The Rev. Mr. Jones has
assured you that the Catholic Church is favourably di.-
posed towards the circulation of the Bible. Now I ail
just take the liberty to mention one circumstance to you.
I have traversed the whole of the Republics of South
America, to which the Rev. Gentleman has ca'led yorie
attention ; I have myself distributed in them several
thousand copies of the Bible, but the moment this was
known to the Priesthood, they set themselves in array
against the circulation of the truth, and they burned
every Bible which they could lay their hoods on. But
their fury was not restrained here. I have known my
own people to be stabbed because they were heretics ;
that is, because they were Protestants. Yet these are
the kind of men whom you would admit to power, ii
you were to place credit in the statements of O'Connell
and his coadjutors. I, too, could produce a pamphlet
to support my arguments, but I shall now merely
read an encyclital letter, issued three years ago by
the Pope, and sigr.ed by the Catholic Bishops of Ire-
land, forbidding the circulation i f the Scriptures in
that country"—(Captain White here read the letter to
which he alluded, and which deprecated the translation
of the Bible into the vulgar tongue, as turning the re-
ligion of GOD into the religion 01 the Devil, and calling
it an uncalled for novelty). " What do you think of
that? (continued the gallant Captain)—They call the
Bible a novelty ! I have now adverted to all that lam
capable of speaking upon, and I shall conclude by ex-
pressing my best thanks for the attention with which
you have listened to me, and by hoping that with the flag
of England hoisted on the hulk of the Con trtution, we
shall tearlessly stand by her till she sinks—(Cheers).
Cries cf " Paition, petition !" were now beard ; and
the Chairman having asked if any Gentleman had any
further observations to offer, proceeded to take the
sense of the Meeting on the question. The amendnieil
moved by Mr. Joists was fist proposed, but not above
ten hands were held up in its favour. The Petition
moved by Mr. STUDDY was then carried, amidst the
most enthusiastic cheering.
On the motion of Colonel FIRWELL, seconded by G.
LEY, E-q. of Cockington, it was resolved, that the
Right Hon. Lord Rolle be requested to present the
Petition to the House of Lords; and E. P. Bastard,
Esq. to the Commons. This motion was carried by
acclamation. A vote of thanks to the Chairman was
then moved by Mr. BUTLER, and seconded by the Rev.
J. B. JONES. This Resolution was received with im-
mense cheering.
Colonel DRAKE then said—" IF, Gentlemen, I was
at a loss at the commencement of the Meeting how I
should address you, how much more so must I be now
that you have conferred on me this addi:ico.al and most
gratifying proof of your kindness ! I am sure that the
result of this Meeting will spread like wildfire through.
out the country. The manner in which you have this
day expressed your feelings is all that could be Wished ;
you are always at your post', and Your example will
benefit your Sing, your Constitution, and your religion,
and you have shown that you deserve the name of loyal
Englishmen, and of true and 1(14 Devonians."—An
enthusiastic burst of cheering followed, and the Meeting
separated, after having given " one cheer more" for
Protestant Ascendancy.

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