Star.
London, England, 1829-02-03 00:00:00

Mere is amongst them one reo promihent inks character, in its opt—
radon so destructive to the morals of the people, and the well
being of the community, that they feel themselves in duty bound
to rake their voice against it.

" The evil to which your Petitioners beg leave humblk till'
the attention of your Honourable House, is the present state -OT the
elective-franchise In this country. An experience of Many years
has demonstrated that the forty shilling freehold system is destrue•
the of its best interests; that it has been exercised by persons des.
duns of property or of intelligence, who, unable to form an inde-
pendent judgment, or to have an uncontrookd reef their privilege,
have at aU times been the slaves of one party or another, and many
of whom have recently proved that upon them a spiritual authority
can be exercised for political purposes.
"'that your Petitioners are fortified in the opinion that these
facts justly disqualify men for the exercise of the elective franchise,
by the respected authority of the late Sir William Blackstone, who
these:presses himself upon the subject:
"5 The true reason of requiring any qualification with regard to
. property is to exclude such persons as are in so mean a situation
that they are esteemed to have no will of their own. If them persons
bad votes, they would be tempted to dispose of them undei some
undue influence or other. This would give a wealthy or an at tful man
a greater share in election than is consistent with general liberty.'
" That your Petitioners beg leave humbly to Suggest that laeal
information, as to the facility with which enactments are too oft,"
evaded, has forced upon them the conviction that the purity of clew
Hen 'moot be obtained if the minimum of elective franchise in this
country be fixed at a less sum than fifty pounds, except in cases if
simple estate or freehold in perpetuity.
Your Petitioners, therefore, humbly pray
.your Honours,*
House to take this important subject into your consideration; and
they beg respectfully to express their conviction that any remedial
measures you may think proper to adopt will be rendered more
beneficial by being immediate, and not merely prospective in their
operation." •
CATHOLIC ASSOCIATION.
The Association met on Thursday last, PATRICK
•
RYAN, El. in the Chair; the Reverend-Mr. L• Ea-
Secretar y.
Mr. It/CO/HALL mentioned that, as he would be
leaving Dublin for London nn the 6th of Februaty, he
would be most happy to be honoured with the con-
veyance of Addresses to the Marquis of A troi.asair. He
would take care to have them delivered to hint in a most
respectful manner.
Mr. O'CoNtaeu. adverted to the letter of the Duke of
Wellington to his Grace the Duke of Leinster, which
appeared in one of the newspapers. That was nut ea•
aerie a c,,rrect one. The following is the letter
" Isltr LORD Doeu—l received your letter, also a tin ease. con.
seyitig the declaration of certain Protestants in favour of what is
called Catholic Emaucipatiun.—" I have the honour, &e.
" WELLINGTON."
DUBLIN, JANUAILT 31.
The number of signatures t.) the General Petition farm
the Catholics of Ireland exceeds 400,000. There wi I
be resdy for presentation within a fortnight after the
sitting of Parliament not less than between 6,000 and
7,000 Attestant Petitions from Ireland. Who, after
these m .niteAations of Protestant feelings, dare say that
the Irish Protestants are u,sfavourable or even indif-
ferent to the preservation of the Constitution?