Star.
London, England, 1828-11-04 00:00:00

fairly, and spontaneously, their seise of the great im-
portance of the principle of religious liberty, and of the
necessity of appl)ing that principle practically and im-
medi ,t-1y to the case of the Roman Catholics of Ire-
land. It was tor this reason that though there were
many around the Chairman o ith names more cele-
brated, yet he felt no hesitation in standing forward.
at what was pre-eminently and peculiarly a meeting of
the people, to express, as one of the people, those com-
mon feelings and common principles, in the expression
of which he was sure his own voice would find an
echo in every honest mind, and in every generous feel-
ii g. " Sir, this Meeting is to me something intent.
vile and animating-1 understand why we are thus
met together—we ate friends of religious liberty, and
we are come to declare our firm and deep-seated con-
viction that no man ought to be harrassed in ho.
person, in his property, or in his prospects, because
he believes in a tong creed, or because he believts
in a short creed, or because he believes in no creed
at all. Sir. like you, I have no hesitation in avow-
ing myself a Dissenter, and this is a dissenting prin-
ciple—like you, I have no hesitation in avowing
myself a Protestant, and this is a Protestant prin-
ciple; like you, I am a Christian. and this is the
principle of Christianity; like you, I am a man, and
this is an assertion of the common right of humanity.
But in all my theological studies it has exceedingly
perplexed me to learn how it can be a Protestant prin-
ciple to break f rith with Catholics under the impression
that, at some time or other, perchance the Catholics
may break faith with us. We are told that the
Treaty of Limerick is so long ago that we are
not to bear that in mind, and that the Union is so
very recent that we are not to fulfil that yet, and so
they deal with the Catholics as they dealt with the
Dissenters; for when, according to the author of the
" Continuation of the Tale of the Tab," Jack was
foolish enough to hang himself upon Ma►tin's promise
to cut him down, we find that at least a century
and a half elapsed before the work was effected.—
I have yet to learn that it is a Protestant principle
that the great majority of the nation is to be sacri-
ficed to a contemptible minority, that this minority
is to monopolise all political power, all prospects
of honour, influence, and emolument, and that re-
ligion itself is to be made the means of enriching
a faction and impoverishing a nation. I have yet to
learn that it is a Protestant principle—not to do unto
others as we would that they should do unto us—if they
are quiet to insult them as tame slaves—if they speak to
brand them as seditious murmurers, and to endeavour ,

to aggravate them into seditious murmurings that they
may be brought under the vengeance of the law, and
from seditious murmurings into hasty insurrection, that
their blood may be sacrificed to the faction which has,
plundered them. These, Sir, are not the Protestant'
principles of my edecation, and intellect must make a
march indeed if these principles are to be recognised.
The Dissenting principle I have learnt is, that every
man is to lookto the Government to protect him in his
person and p'operty; but that with his. faith and his
wo•ship the Government has nothing whatever to do;
and that the meddling of Government with it is an in-
vasion of power never delegated to it, and a nuisance
which ought to be abated in every well regulated State.
After a few more observations, the Rev. Gentleman sat
down amidst loud applause.
The CHAIRMAN then alluded to Mr. Shiel's speech at
Penenden Heath,which, he observed, every person would
acknowledge to be premeditated ;and concluded by
giving the following toast—
" Our distinguished guest, wbose spkndid and powerful exer-
tions in the cause of civil and religious liberty entitle him to the
applause of Bilious and the gratitude of Irishmen."
The toast was received with great applause, and Mr.
SHILL, having come forward, addressed the Meeting as
follows:-11r. Chairman and Gentlemen, When I look
around we, when I contemplate this scene of political
conviviality, when I see this large assembly of the citi-
zeris of London of every denomination, and when, tarn-,
ing from the generous spectacle which this room pre-'
sei ts, I direct my eyes to individual objects; when I see
beside me not only eminent politicians, not only per.
sons distinguished as the leaders of party, but when I
also behold men who have run the path of intellect,
leaving the seclusion of their studies for the purpose of,
mixing in this assembly—believe me,
,Sir, that I am
• not sufficiently vain to attribute to myself—to attri•
bute to the individual who, at this moment, with a
faltering accent and palpitating heart, addresses you
—this combination of most honourable circumstances.
The incense is not offered 16 the image of clay, but to
the sacred principle which, perhaps, it inefficiently re-
presents. I: is not to me that this distinction is paid.
You are convened for the better purpose of making a
splendid manifettation of the feelings that you enter lain
towards the country, and of making a noble proclama-
tion of your ardour in the glorious cause of civil and
religious liberty to the world. You are assembled for
the purr se of expressing your assent in the sacred
maxim, that men of all minds—that the interests of all
countries—that the professors of all creeds, should be
included in the comprehensive principle of universal
toleration.

At the came tune that I dui—even in the

outset of what I am about to speak to you—thus stu-
diously disclaim any immediate reference to my-
se.f from this assembly, yet I am sure that you
will not ct•nsider me guilty of egotism If I venture
for a moment to speak a little about myself—(No,
no). When I was apprised that a Alle..ting was to'
take place at Penenden Heath, of my own accord,
without having consulted any person whatever, I left
my country in order to attend it. It is untrue, as has
been suggested, that I was deputed by anybody. It
was entirely my own act, and I did so from a convic-
tion that a Roman Catholic, addressing an assembly
of Englishmen, would be enabled to press his case with
that earnestness and that force upon them, which, if it
aid not succeed in changing their opinions, would,
at .41 events, have the effect of mitigating their hos.i-
-I.toei. Protestants of the most eztraordmary talents,
of great power, and of iudisputable integrity, have
advocated our cause, in a manner which imposes a per.
toaorot obligation upon us; but, at the same time, I
cahoot help saying that I have often been surprised, in.
IR-tubing speeches delivered by Protestants, that there
were many topics upon which they did not sufficiently
rely. Protestants, in reasoning in favour of Catholics, wirl
argue systematically, and will quote historical ref, recce,
and will display a power of logic ; but, when a Roman
Catholic comes to plead his own cause, when he is told
he places no value on an oath, he appeals, in answer,
not to the understanding, but to the heart, and, by
his exclamations of abhorrence—by ejaculations—by
kiting up his hands and eyes to Heaves to protest
agaiost the calumnious imputation—he sends to his
hearers the internal evidence of the truth. I said
to myself, 44 Roman Catholics 7143 accused of being
the advocates of slavcry, and of having servile
Lions." Protestants have denied it. The denial of the
Roman Catholic I thought wouid come *aft much
mute force. I thought that I should be able to tuts
my heart into my protestation, and to give a force and
energy to my assertions, in deprecating the calumnies,