The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-10-09 00:00:00

had that individual been supposed to commit ? He was un-
willing to part with his inheritance in the land of promise ;
and I trust our friend is unwilling, and so am I too, to part

with our Scripture inheritance, our Christian inheritance,
and with that which is bound up in the purity of faith, our
eternal inheritance. They have found him unwilling to part
with his inheritance. And what have they done ? Why, they
have set him on high among the people. And what is the
accusation that they bring against him ? That he blasphemed

God and the Queen ! (Applause.) And they have been
ready enough to throw missiles in abundance, in the form of
hard words and newspaper paragraphs ; but missiles of this
sort, I am happy to say, break no bones, and we have here
the happiness of seeing our friend scatheless in the_ midst of
us. (Cheers.) I shall allude also to another circumstance,

not of less notoriety, with which another friend near me is

connected. (Cheers.) It is well known that I refer—l see it
is—to an issue which has recently been tried in a court of
justice in this town. Ido not entertain the intention of ex-
pressing any decided opinion of my own on the merits of the
ease, for what I conceive to be a very powerful and proper
reason, namely, that although this case has issued on one
trial, yet it is not impossible that it may be reviewed in
another. (Cheers.) The remarks, however, which I shall
make, though expressing nothing in the form of a decisive
enunciation of my own views, wilt_ yet have something of

that bearing intbein It appears that a paper was read, at
a meeting in Manchester, that had been put into the hands

rev. friend Mr. Stowell, in which certain statements
were contained that have since been held to contain libellous
matter against a Roman Catholic priest resident in the town
of Manchester. The paper was supposed, I say, to contain
libellous matter—that is, matter reflecting on the character of
that gentleman. Now, in what does this libel consist ? Why,

in the statement that this gentleman had appointed a certain
penance to an individual, wnich penance that individual was
said to have been seen performing. I suppose, from the
necessity of the case, we are compelled to believe that the
penance was confessed to be a wrong one, and the injury to
that gentleman's character is also supposed to consist in the
fact of its being made to appear that he was capable of im-
posing it. Nov, I apprehend that in all inquiries of this
kind, and in every case in which injury to character is con-
cerned, it is of most essential importance that a distinction
should be drawn, and clearly maintained, between moral cha-
racter and mere discretional character. If the imputation
were supposed to affect that gentleman's moral character,
and they thought that what he was stated to have done was
in itself morally wrong, then I could very well understand
how a statement of that kind should be a libel. But still that
which is morally wrong in one place is morally wrong in
another ; and I, therefore, feel surprised, as similar penances
are performed in other places, as we know full well from good
authority, and not a few in the sister island, how, if this be
an imputation against amoral character here, any thing of the
same nature can be carried on elsewhere, without bringing
down that expression of disapprobation and punishment which
is said to have been due to it, had it been true in this instance.

But, on the other hand, if it were a mere imputation on the
discretion of that gentleman—if to have imposed such a pe-
nance, had he done so, would have been a mere act of indiscre-
tion, why, then, I say that discretion is a thing belonging to
time and place; and I can, therefore, very well understand
how the system may be carried on without any expres-
sion of displeasure, where it might be so carried on without
exciting much observation or attention on the part of
others, but I cannot, I confess, understand how the mere
imputation of an act of indiscretion—how, because a per-
son may have done a thing not morally wrong, yet im-
prudent, because it was done at a wrong time and a wrong
place, can be said to constitute a libel. This, I again
repeat, I cannot fully understand. It is no unusual thing,
and not considered a matter of offence, to observe that
persons who have discretion enough for one situation have
not for another ; and I confess that I never heard, in anY
former instance of this kind, that such an observation was to
be considered libellous. We have heard, however, of " the
glorious uncertainty of the law," and 1 think, that, if the
imputation of indiscretion and mere error in judgment'
may serve as the basis of an accusation of libel, " the glori-
ous uncertainty of the law" is rendered more gloriously
uncertain still, and in what position any of us may stand is
more than I can undertake to declare. One single observa-
tion more in reference to this matter, and I have done. We
have it on the confession of the parties who have been brought
prominently before the world on this occasion, that to ap-
point any penance of such a kind as that referred to, is a
degrading tang, (hear, hear), we have it, on their own con-
fession, that they are ashamed of it. Let us hope that such,
penances, then, will be entirely discontinued in England and
Ireland too, and that we shall never hear of any of our
beloved brethren residing in Ireland being subjected to
any such degradation for the time to come. It is ne't
impossible that there may be, among the persons as-
sembled here, some individuals of the Roman Catholic
persuasion. I may beg just to say to such persons,
that with my whole heart I bid them welcome, as wit'
nesses of the present proceedings. We have no secrete
to keep, and we wish not even to pretend to keep any
from you. We hope that you will be attentive to such pro-
ceedings as will now follow. I must, however, beg to remora'
you, that this is a meeting of the Protestant Association--;
that you, who are not either members or friends of tho
association, cannot be regarded as a constituent part of this
meeting, but only as visitors on this occasion. We have n°
questions to propose, either for your acceptance or dis-
approbation, and if, as will most probably be the case,'
statements shall be made in which, the doctrines and
practices of your church may be set forth in a light dif-
ferent from what you have been accustomed to view there,'
and if anything is said that may be unpleasant to your fee;
ings, recollect that you are here of your own act and deed'
and that you have put yourselves in a position of hearing
them. We bid you heartily welcome : but we hope, and er
press a full confidence, that in return for the court's,
extended to you, in permitting you to witness these proceed
ings, you, as the only and most proper return you can maite'
will witness them in peace. (Cheers.)
The SECRETARY then rend the following
REPORT.
The committee of the Liverpool Protestant Association
desire to meet their constituents, at the termination of and
thcr year, with expressions of heartfelt gratitude to the Li
of all mercy, for the amount of blessing manifestly vouch'
safed upon their labours. The two great evils among 17;
testants against which your society had to contend, and yr,
the removal of which it was originally constructed, are
rapidly disappearing. Those evils are ignorance and a Path/. ea
The proceedings of Protestant Associations, well direct
and perseveringly sustained as they have hear' lost
considerable extent supplied the needful remedy, Aragng
the middle and lower classes of the community especiallq.,
Protestant determination has sprung up, and is daily Otell,ho
ing and strengthening itself, well calculated to check te
progress of Romish aggression, and to make the Roll',1;r
emissaries thros:ghout our country feel, that whate'ot
temporary influence they may attain over any governinr,
or parliament, byifraudulent professions, they can now euteie,
tain no hope of beguiling the masses of the English PeeTect
Englishmen, considered as a national body, have receii„,
more effective information within the last ten years, coneer:o
ing the true character of Papal ecclesiastical ambition, as w's
as Papal theological profaneness, than they had for above,
century before. The valuable results are shewing thernselye
gradually but steadily. The painstaking researches of ts,,
leaders of Protestant associations ; the documentary eeidec.
carefully examined, and luminously exhibited to the
the circulation of tracts and lectures and other cheap pub of
cations ; the spirit-stirring appeals addressed to meeting' vs
thousands and tens of thousands of the people ; and, ab.,;()„
all, the vastly advanced tone of true Protestant, because scilr,i
tural, preaching from so many of the pulpits of our nationo
church ; these have sown the good seed, and already the bll
more of a return than the most sanguine could reasons
have anticipated.
Your committee are aware that they have still much P.
judice to contend against, in the minds of those who, 101 r,
present peace, and not apprehending any coming clang:,
resent the commotion occasioned by our proceedings stlo
needless and consequently an unjustifiable violation of to
harmony and good feeling of the community. But Peit
committee have the satisfaction of knowing that even anolles
this class considerable influence has been produced by or
light lately thrown upon the true unaltered nature anti 4,
signs of the Papal system. Many persons, who were ac` ~t
edly hostile to our proceedings, are now secretly approvinb
them, and wishing us success, though they have not„be„ es
able so far to overcome former associations as formally
join us.
Our decided opponents are compelled to feel our grotl.rs
influence among the people. Affecting to despise, the
in reality tremblingly on the watch over our proceed° to
and ready, as is evident from a few remarkable facts'6l
seize instantly upon any handle afforded them by the slign4o
mistake on our part. The incident of five years ago, 11 ;be
Mr. M`Ghee, amidst voluminous evidence which could no
gainsayed, adverted by mistake to a document which could:4,
be defended ; and the incident of this year, when
Stowell boldly and honestly charged a priest by name with 'ul,
posing degrading penance prove their systematic watch's:
ness ; and the fact, that in those instances alone they P.,0(
had anything to say, proves to demonstration the accuree,,,,,
our advocates, and the undeniable power of our proceetll?:o,
Adverting to the local proceedings of your own associstitel,
your committee have to inform you that we have distribd_tl
in the course of the last year, above 30,000 useful tracts 'of
handbills ; that we have sent several petitions to both Ili° r
'of parliament (one against the continuance of a grant t0145e08
nooth College, bearing the names and addresses of 1,2!001
men), and assisted materially in forwarding other peti,'leot
of a similar character. We have supplied every subser'er
of 10s. per annum with the Protestant Magazine, at o,pp,
penditure of nearly £25 from the funds of the associr to
We have granted 30 copies monthly of the same mega:' ill's
the Operative Protestant Association ; and your coronpoe
regret extremely their inability to supply the necessarY
to their operative friends to carry out their plans of tract...,ol
tributiou, the formation of a lending library, the delive"
lectures, and other useful and important proceedinttd
which the Protestant operatives of the town have man'''.
a most resolute and laudable zeal.
We have commenced a monthly periodical entitled
Protestant Sentinel. Four numbers of this have been cp.
lished, and have already attained considerable circulatid
but the work is still attended with a small monthly chadrseo
the funds of the association. This may be removed, an If
publication made a source of profit as well as usefulnell'iir
a little exertion on the part of our friends to promote its
culation. st
Your committee have much pleasure in adding to this 'Do
of their proceedings, that they have been instrumental it/
formation of several Protestant associations in different Pets
of the country ; and also of branch associations among
operatives. ,
These and similar efforts, to be carried on with vig:
11.‘
..„1 CV' t,
•

any fair prospect of good effect, involve inevitable ant. eo,
derable expense. -Your committee with respectful clot!'
ness invite attention to this point, and take the liberty eltbeif
treating their friends and supporters either to increase 50
own contributions, or to solicit among their acquaintalte
increased number of subscribers, or both.
Your committee cannot conclude without giving exP',-,sr to
to their strong feeling of the obligation they are 111w:tole'
your salaried secretary, to whose zeal, ability, prof:0011,0'
and untiring activity, they have no 'hesitation in aserles,4"
under God's blessing, the practical efficiency of your as
ation. bet,,
requested, B. HORSFALL, Esq., then rose and said, 11130
requested, Mr. Chairman, to move that the report n°l`,„„'
be printed and circulated, under the direction of the c°'itlo'
tee. I have much pleasure in doing so, because I feeligl,`,:
my duty on the present occasion will be comparativelY
although the resolution is in itself important. I feel 11,')ifor°
to be light, sir, because I know that 1 stand on this POador
in the position of an individual appointed to move the 101'
tion of the report as a sort of necessary preface to ti;13011')
dresses of those champions of protestant truth, tc,e'heeo',
we shall soon have the gratification of listening. (1; Oft,
I know, sir, that it is ony necessary for me to say, 08'.
are on this platform a M`Gliee, a Stowell, and ou'
M`Neile,—(much applause)—it is only necessary for
say that there are such men as these, in order to gtorthe
''
self against the suspicion even of wishing to occuY wel'
tention of this meeting for more than one single To'..
(Hear, hear.) But 1 said, sir, that the resolution:lsoc';
portant, and it is important ; it is important, iota t`
as it asks the assent of at least, I should say, from yen
five thousand persons to the uncompromising Christitit re;
tinaents embodied in that report. (Hear, T, ,t
port, sir, speaks of the apathy of protestants ;hear.) bil',"otl3`)
same time, we rejoice to learn from it, as well as fr'lljettr;,3
sources, that that apathy is fast vanishing awaY• lib„
And, sir, the unblushing efforts of popery have aceor°Prores'e
what protestant preaching, protestant exhortations,,P„W
ant entreasy, had in some degree failed to do :
roused the latent energies of those Protestants who l'eieve t")
ious to pass on in a smooth and even course, and le ber-r
rugged path of protestant agitation to others. (Hear 'see 1)(41
TheYo
They see the strides that popery is making.
attempting, particularly at the present moment, hod
town, to swamp the protestant constituency of the