Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-02-28

| for the purpose OF monopolizlng honor, emo
lument and civil privileges in any one sect
| By means Of the universal circulation OF intel
lieence through the press, nations act, as II
were, in the gaze Of all mankind; and through
the improvements Of the general understand
| ing, by the same means, more discerning
and awful tribunal sits in censure on the poll
CIV of governments. That of Britain-a 60
| vernment which, Notwithstanding the errors
and the wrongs imputable to il, as to others,
is 10 be ranked, however, among the best
of the free politics OF mankind-canno,
long remain deaf TO the unanimous voice oil
this tribunal, nor deny to so many millions
Gifts subjects the religious privileges and
the civil immunities which ere SO con-
formable to the spirit of its own constitution,
as they arc to the universal principles OF hu-
man right Con6ding in this gradual, but, we
trust, inevitable prevalence of just opinion in
the British nation and councils, fastened, as II
will be. by the reiterated remonstrances OF an
unhappy people, we, on this side Of the Allan
tic. regard with profound interest, and with
an earnest scrutiny, every struggle OF the Irish
people to assert, by legal means, their legal
rights: we would impart to them the con,ic-
ton which cheers ourselves, that the appeals
which have already reached the sense OF so
MANY of the enlightened of Britain, will at
length break the array Of intolerance, interest
and party and we would express to them the
deep and Just emotions which are meanwhile
kindled here in the bosoms Of millions Of the
descendants of Britons and Irishmen, by this
denial to so large body of your people, Of a
full participation Of the privileges Of their con-
stitution.
INSTRUMENTATION. ~ /,re e.a ,lJ forca m
the conclusions which true philosophy in pol.
itics has already drawn, as to the excellence oil
governments based on the interests, and, by
consequence, on the affections OF their people;
of constitutions whose happy operation is to
convert every citizen into willing champion
in their defence; to secure allegiance by relax
ing the rigor ofpower, and to substitute Tor 1t
the authority of opinion. 1t was the aim OF the
founders Of the American republic; and they
drew their principles from the fountain OF Eng
lish liberty, to make the experiment OF poll
cy, which, seeking only the happiness of its
people, should relinquish the support of it to
their voluntary affection. The result thus far
has not been more salutary to us, and auspi
cious to the cause Of freedom, than the evils OF
an opposite system are manifest in yourselves.
In no country, indeed, could they be so mani
fest as in Ireland, which presents the single in
stance in Christendom, and perhaps iii the
world, of nation of one religious persuasion
subjected to the hierarchy of another, and fet-
tered, by the government with civil disabilities,
with the purpose Of enforcing the subsection.
The disasters and discontents which, through
troubled series of times, have been the bitter
fruits Of this remarkable relation of the Irish
people TO their rulers, have not only awakened
the attention Of all the world, but have raised
advocates for Ireland even in the councils OF
the empire which has continued this false pol
icy to the present day
The friends of truth and political Justice in
England entertain, in common with us, the sem
timent, which we may therefore the more free
" express, that now, after this protracted war
against national sense and feeling, against a
spirit undying and irrepressible, because fresh
occasion calls it forth every hour, it were wis
dom TO retrace their steps, and amend, as far as
it can be amended the wrong which they have
done both to humanity and policy. They be-
grin to feel if we mistake not, that while the ex-
tension 20 their Catholic brethren Of the spirit
of the constitution, would assuage the muir
murs of prescribed communion, and tighten
the burdens of an oppressed and starving pea
santry. it would induce no less beneficial re-
suits to the Protestant interest in the security
of property, in alleviating, lift could not Who'll
" cure, the mischefs Of the peculiar political
situation of Ireland, and knitting that union OF
the two countries which, under different aspect
of their relations, were reciprocally fortunate
for both. They are sensible of the absurdity
Of taxing the consciences Of a portentous ma
iority of a people, for church whose instruc-
lion is worse than unwelcome TO those whose
substance is drained to support its splendours;
and they suspect the fallacy of the reasoning
which has hitherto defended the abuse as
necessary bulwark Of the Government
But whether this debate between right and
Lower be brief or protracted, the cause OF Ire
land is no, less interesting to her friends IN
America. 1t is consolatory 10 patriots to know
that they ACT under the admiring observation
of countrymen, descendants and friends in
wide and intelligent republic; that every step
of their advance is measured with eagerness;
and that every murmur of Ireland vibrates here
to myriads Of Irish hearts. 1t was the pur-
pose Of the present address, not merely to make
this communication of our sympathy, but to
add that support to your cause, which, IN this
age of augmenting thought, when governments
are becoming more and more dependant on O.
pinion, is not, we hope, wholly vain--the unan-
imous sentiment namely of large community
of Christians, freemen, and children Of British