The Statesman.
London, England, 1809-11-18 00:00:00

I

MA. IVISCO E.

We have been favoured by a Correspondent,
at Liverpool, with a Copy of the very excellent
Speech of the Itev. Mr. SHETIIIERDIr delivered at
the repent celebration of the Anniversary of Mr.,
Roscos's htection; the perusal of which, we are
persuaded, will be highly gratifying to the Readers
of Inc STATUK AN.

GENTLEMEN—I have witnessed, with the greatest plea-
sure, the enthessissm with whkh you have paid your tribute
of respect to our late worthy'Represcntative; and that, not
merely on acenatit of the friendly sentiments which I have
long entertained towards Mr. Roscoe, but because, in my
humble judgment, this enthusiasm augurs well of the final sae-
toss of the glorions cause in which es e are jointly embarked
[applausesj. To this cause, Gentlemen, the course of passing
events, should induce us most steadily to adhere; for the oC-
currences of eery day more manifestly demonstrate its truth
and justice. Yes, Gentlemen, I am persuaded we cannot
better prove nor attachment to the country, than by treading
in the steps of our much-loved and •alued Freind, the An-
niversary of whose Election we are now met together to ce-
lebrate; and in opposing the proceedings of those weak and
wicked Ministers, who have too long directed his Majesty's
councils, and o ha have ohoinately add perversely persevered
in a system a hich has reduced, 1;-iii-riatimi to its present de-
plorable condition. [.lpplatiscs:}Bl • trust, Gentlemen, that
we shall Dever forget the lure*/ by Which those Ministers
came iuto place ; I mast also we shall ever remember, that
the foundations of their p.m; er are bigotry and intolerance—
that they were wafted into ufike by the drizuken belchings of
" No Popery' and " Church mat King." (Loud appkinses.)
What are these watch-nords of party, Gentlemen, but the
signals of riot, and the instigntors of persecution? What do
Minister. and their adherents mean, whew they stimulate the
intoxicated multitude to cry nut "No Popery !"? Do they
mean to say, that lite Roman Catholicißeligion shall not be
exercised in this country? If so, they ilytdireeily in the face
of the law of the laud. But do they mean to insinuate, that
there is tome noxious charm in that religion, which renders.
its professors hostile or indidereot to their native land ? I
maintain, that the history of the world, and the course of
passing events, give the lie to this insinuation. Who are
they, who have, in spite of disaster and discomfiture, time
after time. rallied round the standard of the k.mperor of
Austria, to defend his tenor- and their country ? They are
Roman Catholic.. Who are they, who, from the bleak
summit of the Tyrolean mountains, at this moment breathe
defia:we against the Conqueror of the Continent ? They are
Roman Catholics. Of what faith were the heroes nho
chose to periels amidst the smoking ruim of Saragossa, rather
titan submit to the oppreisiirm of their country ? Why, to a
man, they were Roman Catholics. [Loud opplaases.] Re-
ferring to these insbuicts, and a thousand others which might
be mentioned, I will always maintain, that, as I expressed
myself on a former Occasion, the dame of Loyalty and Pa-
triotism can glow in the breast of a Boman Catholic. [,lp-
plauscs.] And from the nature of things, Gentlemen, it must
be so; fur, upon what is the principle M. patriotism founded ?
It is founded MVO) the possession of property ; upon the en-
joyment of the protection of the law ; hut more than that,
perhaps it is founded upon the charities of social and domes-
Or Isfe. Loud Applause'. 1 Until then it can he proved to
me that the tatholies of Great Britain and Ireland hate no
stake in the country—till it can lw proved- to we that they
are destitute of lateral affection, that they feel no love for
their parent-, no fondness for their nivel, no Rioter solici-
tude for the welfare of their children, I will maintain that
they are tit to be trusted with arms its def.:lice of their
country, and woe befit the man who basely ininu:tter4 the
doctrine that they and their country have different interests.
[Loud applauscs.]

Again, Gentlemen, what mean those wore% which, in the
SIVCIII of turbulence, we see chall,r4l upon our ermlis, ard hear
resounding amidst the convis iality of our oppinoints ? What
MOWS the noted symbol of Party, Church, and niog? Gen-
firm ',14 I will tell you tt.tt it meam, and for this purp.bse
I vs ill !moron' the languaze of au eminent Digintary of the
Church of England, whom I have the honour to reckon
among my friend•: when immediately aftoT tit it most disis
graceful outrage, the Birmingham Riot, thi; Dignitary.dind
called upon, in the midst of a large comptuty,to drink, the
toss! of Churelt and King, he addressed the Master nit.rhe
fe tst in the folinwim; terms,'" Sir, I venerate the Clturch,
the holy mire= of wllirh I hue lox; been accustomed ;ft ash
minister; I trust aISI Gat the whole tenor of my life iinetis
that I hOnour my Klhlrehltt I will, not drMk the tuitsksif
tbureh nrd King, for I Mil know what is the meaning 'of

Astre wor.it witeOtitey :tie put in conjunction. Their in;:tit-

tr log is n Church above the' State, and a K ing above the Law.
. ,
Agaiast these prlariples I will protest to the latest moments of
*y Ilk." R 9 said Ink Dignitary. Gs-admen, so say 1„ and
16 l aril confide:lt lay weal!. ILord applauTes.)
Yes, Gentlemen, after the example of thi: Di;,nitary, ice
will hnonor the King. We will honour him constitutionally.
We will alai testify our regard to him, bat in a mode dif-

ferent from that adopted by Mr. Spencer Percevil and his ad-
herents, should it so happen that a pledge confessedly oaten-
' stitutioa LI is required from his Minister•. Should it
happen that an nappalar and itoulting nonwer is given to
an address from the metropolis of the kingdom, we will bill
say these are the personal acts of the King, and mast not he
soiled into question. No, Gentlemen, we will tale our
stand upon the platform of the Cosotitution, and our motto
shall be, " a King that vied') no wrong, but kliaiAers that
are re*ponsible for every art of state." [Lsui °pi:tenses.]
Gentlemes:, what a tveieht of responsibility rests upon
the sisoolikrs of Mr. Spencer Percrval and his coadjutors !
For what is the substance of the history of Britain the the
last eighteen months but a series of disgraces and dbasters
ahead, an:l the open and unblushing patronage of corruption
at home ? [ /pp/shoes.]

Amongst the foreign transactions of 11inisters stand' first in
order of time the celebrated Convention of Ciao ra. Permit Inc,
Gentlemen, to go back to that period, it will detain you for
as short a time as possible. [Land cries of hear, hror 1-1
Soca of Gentlemen, as l had the honour to address ou a
similar iienssion on this day tn else months, may perhaps re-
illect that I then expressed my opinion that no satisfac-
tory result was to be espeeted from the Court of Enquiry,
• which a asappointed toes/mine into that transaction. Gen-
Before, the event justified my prognostic. That Court did
not probe the tramartim io question to the bottom.
By it, very constitution, linked, it was precluded from so
doing ; it *au a Court of 111litary Inquiry, and of Military
I iquiry only ; and I have no doubt that its verdict was
Its icily correct, whkh declared that an blame was to he int.';
pined to the Commanders of the Expedition. Still, however,
was the general *elide of the country, that blase 17MS to
be imputed somewhere ; anal I think that this feeling was
right, and that I can demonstrate to you, that blame of the
most serious kind is to be imputed to his Alajesty'scilinistbrs,
who pl•inoed and ocganized the expedition.
Gentlemen. I nm not .n absurd us to pretend tope a critic
upon the minutia• of military operations. I do,.honcver,
lay claim to credit for a little common sense, under. the gui-
dance of which, and under the connection of my worthy and
gallant friend on my left (Colonel Williams), I lay down the
following positions, that to order to insert success to an expe-