Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-02-14

temporizlng course. Butt will not yet con-
cede the fact will still hope that it cannot
be true: but Of this will Judge for myself, by
careful inspection of your subsequent move
ments compared with your avowed principles
From late English papers.
address oft Catholics Of Ireland TO the people q
England.
Englishmen, Fellow-Christians, and Fellow
COMMUNICATIVE the Catholics OF Ireland, at
the commencement of new Parliament, deem
it our duty to ourselves and our country, again
to appeal to the good sense and impartial feel
ing Of our English fellow-subjects against the
unjust disquali6cations under which we labor,
for conscientious adherence to opinions which,
in our own minds, we think are right.
Felow-Christians,- religion is Your reli-
eion-the religion O. the gospel OF Jesus Christ
The first doctrine Of our common Founder is
peace and good will TO all men-the golden rule
OHTIStrdnTry IS TO L. otTero as we Snould
wish that others should do unto US. If in
aught we differ, we do il copscienuously and on
conviction. We only exercise, like other dis
senters, that right Of choosing for ourselves
which is the boast Of the reformation, and the
gr ant, as you ought to do, on your own prnci-
pies, to all others, why should you singly refuse
il unto US? Is it sitting that Christians, in the
very centre Of Christendom, should be less ia
vorrd than atheists and in6dels, and that this
injustice, positive, substantial and extensive,
should be permitted to endure against millions
and generations, without any real or sufficient
cause?
Fellow Coun,rymen,- our own country we
form large majority of the population, and if
Ireland, like other countries were 10 be govern
ed in the sense Of the majority of its inhabi-
,arIs, we should long since have been free -
But the. legislative union has incorporated us
with England. We now form an integral por.
ton Of The British empire, and one third of the
whole Of the state. A just government, like
just man, will give in proportion as he receives.
is il then just, that paying the contributions
OF our blood and treasure equally with every
other British subject, we alone OF all British
subjects should be deprived OF our portion OF
the projection and security and honors Of the
British empire? Isl right that one third Of
the population Of any country should be held in
comparative degradation for the qualification
of the other two9 Is such country tree, and
Justice should endure for three Centuries, a.
gainst millions and generations, without any
other sufficient cause?
It's not from our enemies, whose interest tits
to calumnia,e, that they may more safely OPP
press US, that an estimate should be taken OF
our principles or conduct. Of our principles
we ourselves are the best interpreters-of our
conduct, the public at large. we leave to rea-
sonable and thinking men the decision on both.
We ask them fearlessly to examine, and then
10 Judge according to that examination, be-
tween the people Of Ireland and their oppo-
nents.
There is no real or sufficient cause in our
principles or conduct, TO exclude US from full
participation in all the privileges Of free state.
There is nothing in the tenets OF the Catholic
TO disqualify him from enjoying freedom. por-
ugal is free-France is free-South America is
free--and Portugal, France, and South Ameri-
ca, profess the ,cnets Of the Catholics VI Ire
land There is nothing in the tenets of British
Catholics to disqualify them from full enjoy
mept Of British freedom. The British Const.
tuition was founded by Catholicism Ca,ho-
lies be Indifferent to its support? We yield to
no class in obedience 10 the laws, in attach
men, to the Sovereign, in honorable anxiety for
the power, glory, and prosperity Of the British
empire. In every public and private situation,
civil and military, Of confidence and honor, we
have equalled, fnot surpassed our professions.
The very earneslness with which we now seek
a re-admissiop into the Constitution, is the best
proof how strongly we are attached TO its prin-
eiples, how deeply we appreciate It's adyan,a-
ges and rights.