Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-04-21

MES were incessant. All who traffcked uuon ms
ruie-who would preserve at any price monopoly and
power, under the pleas OF religion and saiety-never
relaxed tor moment an organized system of calum-
ny. The Press teemed-the pulpit resoundcd with
groundless, but almost uncontradcted slanders-old
pseJudices were appealed to--new dangers coniured
Upland the most iacontrovertibe truth, only pero-
ideally told proved match for the lie repeated eve
ny hour. In the meantime, the emergency was ap-
palng--ond it became doubtful whether legislative
Justice would not be too tardy for popular patience
The laws were administered by party and were
dead letter to the people The officers of the state
the public administering istrates, slerifs, ures,
Judges were OF the cast who considered themselves
hereditary masters. Upon this question connected
with party feeling, and many uncounected with it.
Catholic had no chance ofprotection or Justice
ihc poorer Catholics We're peculiarly destitute of the
protection Of the laws, upon which, therefore they
did not rely, and too generally became their own
avengers. Previously to the establishment of the
ASSOCIATION, eleven counties were in state OF insur-
rection' ana under martial law Immense armies
were Obliged To be quartcred here at vast expense
70 England, and M spite Of them every thing poren-
dcd CONFUSION, fatal to the empire no matter who
might be the victor.
Ut was evident, therefore, that some more efficient
measure must be adopted than had hitherto becn GIN
Poyed to preserve peace and to procure Justice Ii
was necessary 20 save the people ium their own !nsa
nty-to divert the spirit OF lawless outrage into use
iaI Pcaccn ana constitutional channels for reress-
TO substitute the noble love OF liberty for the bara
rous thirst ofvengeance--aud TO orcanizn the
OF obtaining tranquility and freedom In order there
iof, TO iusc amongst the people spirit OF subordi-
nation against the laws, it necessary to procure
iunds to give them hope of Justice IN order 10
instruct them in the duties of tranquility, and the
means o. redress, 1t was necessary pcrpeually to ad
dress then-above all, in order to remove the prajI
dee OF the generous English people, confident that if
tncy knew our wrongs they would redress them
aii these objects, constant discussion was required,
aud to accomplish these, Ike a association was institu
TED.
"ihe Association has, We think, now nearly achic,
yea all tor which it was instituted The people are
Tranquil. characterization to law is almost unknown
among The Catholics. With so large u population.
there Is not Ill the world nation with so few crip
mus spirit OF ardent constitutional freedom unites
aid animates the population. YOU, people of En-
Sahd' too are at last alive to wrongs Our be-
beloved Sovereign has promised rctresse--bs Minis
ters re-echo the pledge-al that is good and engh-
tened IN the nation respond to it, Our labours are
no inore--coniding in the promise of the THRONE
trusting TO the honor, justice and humanity of the
British nation, VIC have dissoired tie .4.socta,tga
Flgllslinlen--We now contile our cause. tc Won
Ill YOU dlsappoint the confidence we rcpose in Won?
we ask You not to surrender the Constitutions bit to
extend its blessings. We ask not for superiority over
any class, but equality for all. We desire no victory
we would not accept of asrcndancy In other
Countries, where laws do not divide them, WI, End
IroteSthnts and Catholics living in larrouy oretber
W ny not here? Is it not libal upon the British
CONSTITUTION to pretend that i, alone is incompatible
"lth the equal privilege and nutua! affection Of all
classes of the people, We have been pronscd ms
tee Let that Justice be fall, Complete, generous
and 1t will be wise. Gould we, indeed, be so base
as TO abilse privileges granted with noble conf
dcnce: T!e same power which enabled you to rive
would enable you to take away. We are nov. T,..i
ted as one man, from the sense OF common
While you are divided because you are unjust Be
Just. Put yourselves in the right. Should we then
deceive You, we shall fall; and instead of POSSESSING
as we do, the sympathy, shall rail- with the merited
contempt and cxecration Of the civilized world"
LDubho oifornine Register Of THvrso5g,,.