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

subversiye Of the power OF Protestant so'
eminent, and Of The rights OF Protes'an. pa s
ple, of violating or equivocating on the sac1.u
engagements Of an oath, Of preserving unenanS,
ed the spirit of persecution, which talntec 90, az
nations till the present enlightened era. we
have disclaimed, and do disclaim, each ana All
of these allegations;--we disclaimed then J"
l757; again in 1892; The six leading oniversi.
ties of the Catholic world, in 1888, disciaimea
them; the chief Of our church, Pope Pius VI:
in 1901, disclaimed them; our Bishops ana
Archbishops, on their solemn oaths before the
Imperial Parliament. have emphatically ana
recently dlsclaimed them; and we cannot dis-
pose of our property or exercise any puche
trust, without Tin each instance, dlsciaiming
them. We have sworn, and do swear, as foi-
lows
(Here follows the Oath Of Allegiance
I'VE have been accused Of divided allegl-
ance. WHY is not the same accusation plead
ed against the Catholics Of Prussia and Hano-
yer? We have denied the calumny, and the con-
duct of our ancestors justifes the denial. ne
Catholics of Ireland stood firm to the Protest.
ant House of Brunswick in l745, against the
Catholic Pretender and the Roman Pontiff.-
Our oaths are regarded in the ordinary inter-
course of life as inviolate. Why are they not
equally so by our country? Why should there
be different measure for US in and out OF Par
lament? If this accusation were grounded on
fact, what would prevent many Of our body at
this moment from legislating with, instead OF
supplicating the justice Of either House oil Par
Lament.
The spirit of persecution is not the spirit or
the doctrine, but the perverson Of the spirit and
The doctrine OF the Catholic religion. In bad
times, it has unfortunately tainted, more or less
every christian denomination IL the Catholic
oersecu,ed the Protestant, he did persecute
the Catholic, it was attack and retaliation; and
il the Catholic prosecuted longer than the Pro-
testant. il wa. only because the Catholic was
much longer in possession Of power Nor do
we instance this from any desire or feeling OF
| recriminalion, bot from deep conviction that
| il is not to any form of religion that blame is
to be attached, nut lust of lower, rousing and
| WELDING the bad passions Of the human heart,
| and which, in all countries we confidently trust
| must sooner or later, disappear before the pro-
| o-ess of freedom, which is the due sense oil mu-
lual interest, and the gradual advance OF civil
zalion through all parts of the globe.
| In our own land, we are prescribed people.
| We are excluded from all participation OF the
Governments; constituting as we do virtually
| and essentially the nation-we pay taxes which
we have not imposed: we contribute to the up
holding of establishments in which we can
have no share; we pay double tithes, double
sess; we are Judged by tribunals in which we
have little control. Englishmen rebeled against
| the sbip-money and the Star-Chamber. Would
the EngIshmen of the present day submit 10
this? Would Canada Submit to it-woud Han
! over! And is Ireland 10 be worse governed than
foreign kingdom or distant seltlement!-
| w ouId IL not have been bet,rr for her to have
been colony, than, as she is. a vital portion Of
this free empire?
We do not desire power, but we claim eligi-
bility. We desire tina: Protestant Sovereign
might have the means 10 avail himself Of the
services of all his people. We desire to enlarge
the resources Of the British empire, to CONSOLE
date the liberties Of the entire British nation
Is he an enemy TO England VINO desires this?
Is he friend to England who opposes this de-
sire?
If there were any danger likely to accrue by
the admission Of The Catholics Of Ireland into
the Constitution, that danger already exists a.
mongst US. BY the Act Of 1871, we have al
ready the natural elements Of first political
inAuence-means Of acquiring wealth-educa-
ton to employ 1.-THE elective franchise to rem.
der both available. Have we abused these pow.
ers? Has the noble struggle Of our freeholders
in aught diminished the sum of British liberty!
Have the real interests Of The country suffered?
At home we have shown we are capable of up
holding, not ofinjuring British freedom; abroad,
who could distinguish in the field Of battle be-
tween the Prote slant or Catholic soldier? Not
the Frenchman, who yielded 10 our arms, nor
the German or Spaniard, who Tough, beside US.
Why should The Protestant be alarmed at the
admission ofthe Catholic into the Constitution?
Does he apprehend in his own religion any
principle Of weakness which will yield in fair
and equal struggle? Does England dread one
third finer empire should absorb the other two,
or that, by the Introduction into the Houses Of
Parliament Of few additional members, the
Religion, Crown, and Legislature of these
realms will cause them to be essentially and
constantly Protestant!
The real danger is in things as they are, not
in things as they may be; the Protestant suffers
where the Catholic is aggrieved. England is
endangered by the oppression and danger OF
Ireland. 1t has been stated before the Imperi.
al Legislature that this country is one great
mass Of discomfort. 1t is, we 90 not affect TO
concealit, and though we will not alege as