Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-12-02

led him to another, which was, that Roman Ca
,holics sought for no partial or exclusive bene-
e.. they demanded the full and free exercise OF
civil and religious rights, not for themselves a.
lone. but for all other classes and denomina-
|tions The same principle that excluded the
Catholic from his rights of citizenship, endan-
rered the liberties OF all; and the concession
of those rights to the Catholics, would have the
effect Of confirming and strengthening the rlgh's
OF every denomination Of their countrymen-
rhis he illustrated by reference to the pro-
ceedings at the late election in Yorkshire
There The "Ascendency of Candidates" VIII
son and Duncombe, exhibited by placards the
intolerant principles by which they were actu-
ated-"No Popery'' was their motto to-day;
"No Presbyterianism,v "No Methodism," their
mo,tos tomorrow. He would therefore wish
Protestants, Presbyterians, Methodis,s, Mora
vians. and persons Of all communions, TO apply
these facts to themselves, and they woulc see
that their own liberties were best secured by the
furtherance of the great cause OF Civil ana he-
ligious Liberty cloud Applause9 he was
10th 10 speak of himself, but he felt he was
placed in novel situation, and trusted he would
be allowed, what, lie was sorry to say, had been
denied him elsewhere, permission to say some
thing of the causes which had led to his "Juda-
call il what they may, Judaism or Apostacy--
he. Mr.. B. was Indifferent about names-his
own heart called il by its right name, il told
him that, having discovered something of what
the truth was, he had not the assurance, or the
daring eH'rontery, to continue the advocate OF
error. The state Of the country; the events OF
the day were he felt, such as to call on him,
and on every homes: man, to be wise while they
might, before the night came, and the evil day
drew nigh, when wisdom would come too late.
Hear, hear, hear) With reference to his ear
ly life, he need hardly say that his family were
of opinion with those who conceived that con
cesssion 10 Roman Catholics, would be destruc-
tive both to Church and State. In this opinion
was he educated; and, like most young men he
was ready 10 take on trust the opinions OF 9th
ers, without once questioning their correctness
or celebrating on their justice. ltwould hard
ly be believed, but it was no less true than IN
credible, that not long ago, he Mr.. was dis
posed 10 look on an advocate OF the Roman Ca
tholic, as rebel to his King, and little less than
an Atheist to his God. Yet IL was with such
ideas and such opinions he was sent into fariia-
menl. I here it was well known, he was neither
disnterested nor an idle spectator. me very
first time that offered Of evinclng hostility 10
his countrymen, he had the hardwood 10 rise IN
debate and reply to the great and immortal
Grattan. (Applause.) He Mr. b. went over
all the arguments that his reading and ingenu.
inv afforded him in support of his views Of the
question; but, though many applauded, he him.
self was far from being satisfied. Another day
the same discussion came on and he Mr.. B. was
found at his post. Again and again was the
discussion renewed, and as often was he among
the foremost in debate, urging all the stale and
worn-out arguments on the side OF intolerance.
Yet, he ayowed, ne was never satisfied IN his
mind, or pleased either with what tell from
himself or from others on the same side, never
had he heard speech, even from the best or
cIeverest Of those who usually spoke on his side
of the question, but could be driven through
nv coach and six Cheers With this feeling
it was that he had the good fortune to be placed
on the famous Irish Committee which lermi-
mated its labours in 1925. Before that Commit
tee were examined many OF the best informed
the most lalented-and the most pious men in
the country. From their united evidence new
light beamed on his mlnd-the old system ap-
reared to him in its Tue colors; and he Mr.
al once determined TO devote himself, hencefor-
ward, to the obtaining redress for Irish wrongs
and Irish in Justice Great and continued cheer
ing. His honorable friend had alluded in COM
plmentary terms TO the part he, Mr.. Brownow,
ton, but he deserved no credit-he had taken
it up aen it was in a state Of progression
When it had become, as ii were, the fashion of
the day: whereas he, Mr.. Caulheld, had early
shown mis- attachment 10 the cause of his suffer
ing countrymen-at a time, Of his seat in Par
lament; and through "good repor, and bad re-
port had he clung 10 it with all the fervor
and all the devotion of first love-Appause.
On going into the committee to which he had
before alluded, he, Mr.. B. was anxious, certain
ly, TO acquant himself with the truth; but God
knew he was also anxious to find, and would
have been grati6ed beyond expression in find
ing, something to satisfy his conscience. and to
bear him GU, in his old opinions and prejudices.
Because none but those who have tried the ex-
pertinent, can know, or feel, what it is TO make
up ones mind to sever almost all the bonds he
had formed in life-to part with old and es-
teemed friends-and, III short, to give up inter-
est for truth. He owned that had he found rea-
son to support him he would have gloried in il,
and of course continued at enmity with his
country Relative to the religious part of the
inquiry, he did not think he should say any
thing. He thought that no man had right to
question or impugn the religious opinions OF
| his neiphborhood But the ground on which