Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-06-03

eFishcu, ueSraueu, anu debased, where IL was car
ried into full operation, and threw million OF hu-
man beings into state of complete moral and po-
ltical misery But when this cruel code had nearly
exhausted its powers, when the last turn had been
gwen 10 the wheel, the English Government,
ashamed of its proceedings, reented and began 10
retract. What the Legislature did in 1878 was the
iirst step TO this merciful change; what was done
SINCE mat period, and what now proposed,
were parts OF a benignant system by which il was
proposed to end the son Of persecution The
evii was not, II was true, of our creation but we
had the remedy in hands. lie confessed he
had often turned away with disgust a, the cruel en-
actments, which, by perverse ingenuity sought
out the most tender spots on which to infiict the
wound with more poignant suffering to the victim
He had seen with disgust those ingenious devices
OF moral and political oppression; but he now
looked upon them with pleasure; pleasure howe
yer, caused only by the hope, that be was looking
at them for the last time and that Justice though
tardy, would at length effect their entire removal
Cheers. He trusted hon. members would cease
10 alarm themselves at the difficulties which might
attend that removal. The task was only rendered
dangerous by our own timidty in attempting it
- " Who but fel, of late
"whcn the fierce foe hung broken rear,
im.vlnns aud pursued u. through the deep,
With what conPul,un and laborious fight
We sunk thus low? TIL is easy them
lCheersI
What there TO deter US from this glorious effort,
Was 1t the fear, that after we had e,nancipated the
Catholics they might turn their newly acquired
power Ngainst us! Was that probable Or sup
pose 1t possible, could such attempt he success
ful! Compared with the great body with whom
they would have IN that TO contend, their
strength would be harmless II was admitted
that we could not 20 back and re-enact the penal
code, great part of which we had most wisely
abolished. Could We he would ask, remain as we
now were? 1t was impossible. We had every
day proof OF the decline OF prejudice and in,ole-
rance amongst Us. They had since tie commence
ment of this debate on Tuesday evening, witnessed
splendid illustration of this in the manner In
which prejudces ard feeling OF long standing had
given way. The manly and candid manner in
winch that change was aVowed; afforded a still
stronger illustration of the truth that the times had
changed. They had also proofs thar this liberal
policy would be met with corresponding feelings
on the part of the Roman Catholics He had eve,
set himself against any thing like contract or treaty
with that body. The business of the houee was to
leglslate tor them, and that they might do without
risk OF danger 10 the country. What would be
the effect If they waited until the Catholics had in
creased In wealth. in intelligence in activity anS
industry, with an augmented population? DIG
The house not feel that this intelligence and in
dus'ry and wealth, would open TO tho = ----"'N'
new and wider field of acfi~..- mat they wouo
naturally have III. ambition OF possessing that po~
litica rank which belonged ~ their wealth and sta
ton in society Did not the house think they
would he doing too little in raising them from that
state OF degradation in which ancestors had
Dkeed them Would it be sufficient to raise
JOY, and yet continue 10 withhold it? il would
be better far, 10 have allowed them to remain in
the debased and degraded condition 70 which they
had been sunk, than raise them partially, and
then endeavour to preveni thcir further elevation.
LCheers. An honorable friend of bis had talked
OF the admission of the Catholics and danger to the
Constitution. There a distance between the
H. IL. -.
should like to the link which connected the two
[Hear.l Was it force? why, there was more
need of physical force to door that was shut than
to one open-N CHEERS and laughter.) Or it nigh,
happen, sometimes done by a certain class
OF persons in the metropolis, that if the door was
fastened against them, they gDt in at tie window,
1t was, however, in the case before the house
much More wise TO admit the parties gratuitously
than 10 allow them TO make the attempt themselves.
1t should also be remembered that il was not power
which the Catholics sought, bat the capacity 10
enjoy. The right hon. gentleman then proceeded
to point out the absurdity OF supPosing that men,
who by great industry and active cKer5on had posv
sessed themselves of wealth; should when they
got political power, it for the purpose of des1
uoying the constitutions Suppose, az the first
session after the bill passed there were FIVE or six
Catholics returned, what would be the eifect2 No
doubt the new comefs would at first be objects of
curiosity, but after the novelty OF the sight had
worn off, the other members would SIT b. them in
the manner their Protestant associates in the
legislature. He certain that he should never
expect TO hear from a Catholic member sentiments
similar to thoseiie had recently heard from he Pro,
testant representative of Catholic county. (Hears
hear.) One of the objections TO this bill was Is
time. He would ask, would any lay his
band 10 bis heart and declare that the measures
would not pass these 10 OF 20 years? 1t was i'm
possible to suppose that it could be delayed so long
Then, he would put 1t 10 the house whether there
any fair reason for tie delay? Should they
wait till times and circumstances should occur
which would render it absolutely unavoidable, and
when 1t must he conferred without calling forth
the grateful acknowledgements of those to whom il
was granted? Gould Ireland be allowed to remain
IN her present STATE; or would il be wise, or polite
TO call on her to bow down and worship that Con-
stitution from the benefits of which she was ex~
ycluded Either she must be supposed utterly
incapable of approaching the benefits of emancipa-
ton Or altogether unworthy of IT, 1t so, let the
penal code be continued. II they believed, that in
proportion as they rose in energy and power, and
domestic prosperity Of every kind in proportion as
they had no Cause to dread danger from without OF
Within exactly ia that proportion could a boon ",
given without the hazard of inisconstructiOn. IL
would then appear not as if produced by intrnid,
ton. (Helr, hear.) lie hoped the house would
never submit 10 tic degradation of listening 10 me-
mace; but times might arrive, and unlocked for
chances might happen, which would render cur
compliance with the prayers Of the Catholica i'm
perative. Were we to defer the boon unit those
events occurred which might take from the gift
more than half its utility to the statcl We were
now at height Of prosperity which few could
have anticipated some few years ago: was tl6s
glorious opPOruutyto be neglected.
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