The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1805-07-23
BRITISH ROUSE OF COMMONS,
May &c.
CATHOLIC PETITION.

Catholics of Ireland, the petition was read to the
hou!e, ON the motion of MIR. Fox.
far.FoX then being called upon by the Speaker
roe and fpoke to the following effect 80" rife Sir
on the prelent occaiun with uncomfortable degree
III anxiety, in bringing before the houfe eaure Of
IL much importance, and pregnant with 70 many
preas and eventfal consequences, di,a or immedi-
ate i'll degree, indeed, to exceed in magnitude
any neaure which it .ver has fallen to my lot TO iub
init to the confederation o parliament. On the other
hand while am CONTIGUOUS of the in,portnse of the
talk, am conioled beeaufe the duty is agreeable.
certainly do feel, that after the harrai;ng duty of
preGng inquiries ard cefuring authorizations which
only digraceful individuals but alto to the
country, it is fome relaxation entering upon ii,i-
ieet which, fer from exereiing the painful Office
of an accrfer, called upon plead the caue of
iutt;ce, of policy, and Of wifdonl--that aim called
upon to advocase'a nca.urc, which in my opinion,
null 70 en,inently contribute 10 The frength and pow
er OF this empire, without taking from othIis any
privilege, advantage, enjoyment, which any rea-
fonabe man can believe he ought exclulively to en-
Joy but the contrary the poHeioi Of ali which
mutt be doubly feared to every cals by the cunnu-
ntaticn. Such appear be the natural effects of
tl:oie ineahre, to which have now the honor of
drawing theaten,ion of the houl-, and however crl
batraang the snefon may be to fonie, and however
doubtful il may be 70 others, at lean it will be ai-
;,tte, that te principles which is aei.ated &
on which the cmclpfons they po;llt are founded,
ffring from .ntn,ents OF gene a! good will and conf
Affection. That the aueflion one of the fra
Importance viii be denied, when Gate merely
that the petition which now propoiy for yonr conf
drration does in Ia include tie Claims III leat ore
film in number Of all his rnaieily's European fIh;eeas
that it conprebeds the wihes sf between three and
four micnsof perfors. Happy I am, however, as
have already hntel, that do not prefs the CLAIMS
o the petitions as ioe TO the rights enioy,neuts
of others ard i the houIe upon due examination Of
,he claims Of tie petitioners, a extend them THAI
'utiee which they appear TO me TO dsierve, mall
nave been Instrumental in performing Cervice r,of
saensia TO the eeurisy, the GREATNESS and t ger,era
veal OF the ernpire.-Upon matters TO vari.srs ard
extenave as thoie to Which the petition naturall,
draws our attention, it NAV Be difficult to cl,onie
where to begin. The frR argument, however.
which occurs me, fprngs from the numbers of
thoie who hterefsd in the fate OF this petition
Indeed had Ino undertocd that the fubje3 had eiy-
en- rife 70 doubts and debates, thoud have thought
1t irlroihhlc there could be 9ueton whether upon
general principles, 70 large portion of his maieys
iuteSts were entitled 20 an equal flare of political
privileges with their fellow c,tiz eils-Perlaps the se
neral point may not be dilputed, but it will be ur
ged that particular oircum ances may iutify an ex
ception. Upon this point mua requeG the attenti
OF the houIe FOR few minutes, which NAV be ME-
fui to clear way before proceeding farther What
am about TO fate may indeed ecm to be matter of
theory rather than of praaice. 1t may be THOUGH,
tfen, that there MAJ be fonle difference whether we
Fate the claims of the Catholics as rights 70 he oc
kaowiedged or indulgences be conferred | be-
heve, however, that the practical conclufon.
ahere will be little difference and that in the theory
the difference wi! be IN words than in reality
For mr. own PART, confe!s an, perhaps more mel
':ed 70 adhere 70 the form Of ipeaking, which was
IL falina ahopt century ago than now and IN
Gay broadly, tia, oonfder rights to power. TO O.
fpaEsy Of laws and of privileges, to be paramount
thae they belong TO all the members of the fate AT
the fame time wnen ! lay dswn the principle gene
rally, do not deny that the iuprene law, .hc l4s
.,eJs.ii, may ioetnes ufy exceptions to the ruIe
Fhis arbjea has been conGdered by many able men
IN the c,suf.s and laid down by fome with more bv
forne with lsls, generality. DR. Pdlev a writer nm
doubtedly OF great ability, though he incnes tn rr,
the thsory differently in words from tlst from which
occurs To RE preferable, fays of the original RIGHT
OF government, that is Z" right TO do whatever
is necsh;,ry for the general weal-Bn, On the o,h,
hand, cannot ba denied, that the people hive a
.t not to BE rctrGied, unefs where renriaion are
ueceiary fome for the general cool of the whole
Ji1s. therefore, will bring US TO the fame practical
coneiuon. ] FAY That r,en have a right TO be free
from unequal fclriclors; vet, do deny that I'M
equal reiritions may, ii fone circumstances be ;uC
tiled EreHTialcns be unEeccfdry tlevougbt nor ,o
be continued tilat is IN other words, men have z
right to the enjoyment Of political privileges when
no necefiIty, founded u3on common good, eXins for
the deprivation. Some world f2y, therefore, We
are wiling 10 grant this that, on considerations of
policy" would fay, grant it as matter OF RIGHT.
II will BE- found, however, that there is rel!y no
great difference between us in the end hecaule il is
IN toe cafe allowing the right 70 hold where no
juffcent ground Of exception exits IN The other il
jsconcedingthat which danger prevents from grant
ing. asdeGrous Of faying thefe few words upon
this fubjett, bscaue, in all probability, thi, dcuon
will not be emily the quefion of day, but may be
frequently under confederation. 1t is 10 be wifi
Cd therefore, that nnpud undorhlnd each o;l.er.
and dpu.e about the form of enuncatiny certain
proportions which, however put, lead 10 the fame
practical conciulon. The application of theie conf
ferations to the Catholic auction then obyioulv Is
that t,ley the Catholics, have right TO equal pot
cai principles with Others VIXEN the exarce of thoe
principles would not be dangerous the rate az pr ge
E this application, may think tha nothing hur ne
ctty can juffy the departure from tn. general prir
cip!es others may be contened with expediency ar
n.pch l.ls urgent and vifble neoei6ty. But fiat
pvfeif that proceed i, will he found fIner-
fuous diipute about nice ihades of difint9ion d
lput The degrees Of neeeif-y OF expediency, and
fhaf we fall Gu! thattle privaton Of political pryi.
egc5 to which the CATHOLICS condemned is Who'll
y uaiuhGtd ly any cir;un'fil1ces that ought to call
fr the denial Of th riht the refual OF the indul
gcJcr. fay then that the Catholics have an equal
risu' ''fh other lGbjeGs to participation Of poini.
g., rTiv,legs., b'c We know tiat government uiot