Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1823-09-04
THE CATHOLIC CAUSE.
DuBLIN. Juno z

the hands of the enemies of peace and
the country, we should make from oar
Orange Contemporaries few selections
of the atrocious and viruient calumnies
with which the Catholics of Ireland are
loaded by the triumphant faction. We
tarn, however, from the disgusting sub
jcct, to the conduct of the Catholics, not
only here but in England. In another
place we have given report OF the pro-
ceeaings of the Catholic Association OF
England, By which it will be seen, that
they have adopted the principle, and fol-
Lowell the course pointed out by their
brethren in Ireland. Their Association
is formed precisely on the same plan
An annual subscription qualities any Ca
tholic gentleman to become member,
and they are resolved not TO sbate sin
gle jot Of their pretensiOns under the
vague and flimsy pretext of bending to
expediencv. They have seen that the
Irish Catholics have obtained nothing b.
sacrificing their feelings. and by suffer
ing themselves to be swayed by every
breath of advice, which true Or false
friends have been So prompt and anxl-
Gus to afford them. Let these two great
bodies act together let them never
| cease-let them debate their question
constantly. There viii be no lack of to-
pic. Their enemies will supply them III
abundance; aad really when the strength
and number of the Confederation ar
rayed against them is considered, we
think the Catholics would be wanting in
common prudence, not to have some 81
lent poinl, some common centre. around
which to form Ii is their duty to do so.
Indeed it is question of safety. Their
enemies have triumphed over the gov
ernment. What the consequences of this
triumph may be to the Catholics, j; IS
unnecessary to predict. But, at all E.
vents, the latter should be on their guard.
E. Post.
We mentioned on Thursday, thai a
Catholic meeting was held On Hednes-
| day, preparatory to the aggregate meet
ing on the l0E ms.
After Sir Edward Bel!ew had taken
the chair
Mr.. 0'Connel, among a variety O
| other re marks, Observed, 'that he came
forward with the utmost Difference 10
tender his advice--and his first and last
recommenda'io ion to his afflicted country
men would be, 10 take the management
OF their own afairs-and 10 proceed in
that manasemsntwitii hrmness aud una
nmity. tCheers.) They saw the con-
dtion to which their cause had been re-
dueed--it was just that condition in
which the concerns of all will be placed
who trust to the agency of others
(Hear, hear.) As to lirmness and una
nimity. If they were desirable in the af-
fairs of an unfortunate people, surely
this is the time when they should be ex-
hibited.
The Catholics, It was true, had oppo-
sed to them, faction, as weak in iitelA
lect, as it was despieable in principle
but it was sdll powerful, because 1t was
supported by power. Hear, hear -
However contemplate IT was in numeri-
cal strength, 1t was clear enough that it
had not only arranged itself in hostility
against every Gting liberal IN principle,
and essential to popular right, but had
been hitherto able to sustain itself, even
though oPposel to the sovereign autho-
rity ITSELF. (Hear, kear.) lie L bought
it the duty of the aggregate meeting to
pass. on behalf of Mr.. PIunke.. a reso-
luton declaeatory of gratitude and con-
fidence, and couched in as ardent and
unqualified terms as the language could
afford. Loud applause.) He looked
upon Mr. Plunkett as perfect martyr
to his pubic duty. He was now actually
standing the brunt of a persecution more
audacious, persevering, and malignant,
than any other being, even in this coun-
Try of persecution, had ever before to
encounter (Cries Of hear, hear.) If
Mr.. Plunkett is suffering, has suffered.
or is doomed to remain lasting object
OF factious rancour, it is because he has
endeavored TO break the chains of his
Catholic countrymen. (Hear, hear.) J.
Did he only consent TO desert his duty
like others; to base'y betray the cause
he had pledged himself so devoutly to
serve-there is no one who would stand
higher in the estimation of faction, than
Mr. Plunkett.
After inveighing, in sery animated
terms, against the conduct Of those who
described Mr.. Plunkett, as tyrant, and
stating the case in which the late Alter
ney General fled an er cficio informa-
ton, after the bills had been ignored, be
proceeds 10 remark, that if lawless
Press traduced him nnhliclv and nrirafe-