Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-07-12
BRITISH CATHOLIC AssoCIAToJN

A-oNooN, june E-.--l esteruay, the annual meet
ing OF the above Association was held at the Crown
and Anchor Tavern. Long before the hou. an
pointed, the room was crowded to excess in every
part. At abou, laf-pas r. his Grace the Duke OF
Norfolk entered tie room, accom- panied by lord
Donouehmore, the Earl of Finsal, lord Clifford.
lord Nugen;, M-ssrs. O'Coaaen, O'Gornan.
Horace wv ISIS, Sc.
The Secretary then moved that the Duke Of
Norfolk lake the chair, which was carried unani.
rnously.
The Chairman said, that being placed in the
chair, me would take that opportunity Of expressing
his sincere regret at the late decision OF the House
OF ommons, decision which had the effect of keen.
ing IN state OF vassaage 5000 600 of Iish, and
hall million OF British catholics because they
cohscIentousy adhered 10 the religion of their fore
fathers. Among them we're thousands of brave
men who had fought the battles OF their country.
aud she'd ths'r blood in its defence and vet thew
we're thus rewarded for their exertions
Alter many excellent Ioasts drunk, and
speeches delivered,
shf. OConmeH said, he felt quite incapable of
performing the task assigned TO him; the Cause was
90 recent; the blow too lately struck; the cause
90 great TO allow his judgment any room and left
LIN prey 10 !ls Indignation and his passion He
would endeayour 10 be as temperate as the warm
current Of his Irish blood would permit him. Al
,hough unsuccessful his friends, had advised him
- hope 1T was a cheering sound; yet where
was he to lad any prospect OF hope. Was he
{, find it in the history of his native country
which had been kept in a state OF slavery and
bondage during the last $50 years. Was he to find
- IA contracts repeatedly made and often broken;
n treaties made and afterwards abandoned! His re-
.iglon was called Roman, and he was so far a
Roman that he would never despair. Hope never
deserted even the miserable wretch In his cell and
L cheered men even IN their dying moments; and
he yet hoped that one dag the eYerions OF the
Catholics would hP
deiied even bigotry itself TO sag Why Catholics
should be any longer kept in state Of slavery. Ii
lad been said their religion one OF persecution
lie denied it; Tie Catholics had been twice in
power alter enduring persecution, but they did not
,etaliate. No, when they ih power, not
fop OF Protestant blood shed by the Irish
Catholics he then took review of the History
lfIreland, and commented on the most remark able
-genis as be proceeded. He then Continued
statements had been made in the House of Com
mons, prciudical TO the Catholics, which were
entirely without foundation. Archbishop King
hld published pamphlet, stating that 81 churches
had been taken from the Protestants by the
Catholics; that assertion was well known 10 be
iise, and lie could not express bis feeling Of con
,empt for those who had made quotations from ouch
Il work lie did not expect much from Parliament ,
- Inch began by trampng on the Catholic Associa-
ion. The Catholics had been accused of making
intemperate speeches, and garbed extracts and
scraps Of newspapers had been read in proof fthe
assertion. Mr.. Bankes had read an extract from
. OF his speeches, but unfortunately he read the
wrong part, although he had taken the pains TO
nIark out the passage previously. MIR b. was a
very great man, and he thought Englaad ought to
he proud OF such paragon of perfection. A f,er
making some observations on the speeches made
~ some other members Of Parliament Mr. orc
observed, he bad heard it stated that the great body
81 Catholics cared but little about emancipation;
sI.rs- L.. q
a Tie Upper House, Interested themselves IN the
Iesion. Although his countrymen were Irishmen
~ name, yet they were British subjects by right.
ald hey had unanimously come forward manfIlly
and or, ly 10 claim participation in those bless
ilgs enjoyed By the rest of his Msjesty's subjects
/ have been called (said Mr. O'C) an agitsting
lawyer j own that 1 am an agitator and will
continue one until / see my native country restored
- her rights L Loud cheers. )--The Catholic As
-1cia,ion did considerable good in Ireland; in
every county where its meetings were held tlIe
disturbances Immediately ceased and in those places
here was a cessation oil hostility. The Assocja-
;.on had only requested 10 be heard when thew IN
dsrtook to disproye the charges that had been made
ryainst item. At the time Of the formation of the
atholic Association, there we're eleven counties
Do Ireland ia state OF insurection and insubordi-
..aiion. The curfew, that ancient badge of British
slavery, then prevailed there; but after the esab-
.aent OF the Association, all was pace ouiet and
'.anquiliy, under the expectation that the people
onld receive just and legitimate relief The use
oi the curfew establishing precedent, which
c hoped would never again be extended to Eng.
i.nd. The suppression of the Catholic Associa-
ION was injury so great, and an act ofiniustice
abominable, that lac felt convinced It would be
repealed during the next session Of Parliament. II
exceeded any measure that was ever carried in the
Jlyan Of Algiers. How could he tell his country
zen to hope Tor redress, when such an aborninabe
l1easure had been passed in EnglsndS Yet he found
come reason for hope when he considered the rea-
"a that had 5een employed against him. lie