Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-04-28


crcumstances:-the cabinet equally iivided--the
II. Of Commons nearly so. But, with respect to the
present H. OF Commons, hich was elected in 1926,
shall ask, is this house an unfair representation
OF public opinion upon the Catholic question. Was
i not elected at a period wien the public mind
sufficiently alive 10 the qucsiion,-( Hearty
II was elected in 1926 Its predece ssor had twice
carried bills through this house for the removal Of
the disabilities OF the Romsn Catholics. This
House Of Commons was elected i,n,n ejiately al.
Ter discussion OF the Roman Catholic question:
Public attention had been, therefore. fully awak-
eued 10 il. Within one year previously, II had
become necessary to introduce bills, the object OF
which was, the suppression OF Catholic Associa-
ton. On the first debate took place in this
house, which occupied five nights. IT, there
fore, the public were determined 10 prevent the
future agitation oil that question, the period OF the
general election was the time to have de cleared
snd carried that de'ernination.-(tf Hear DIT is
somewhat hard 10 be compelled to fight battles
perfectly destitute OF the necessary Materials
1t is somewhat hard 10 carry government d.
vided in itself, ns well with divided Houses OF
Parliament. tits somcw hat hard to fight bat
Gle without those materials with which only il
could be successfully fought. I am told a" the
co,intrys against the Catholic claims" This is
very recent discovery. II il were true, il ought
to have been declared in the proper and unequivo.
=, cal way by public meetings in every parish, and
peculiarly by the exercise of the elective franchise
(itear) Public opinion not being declared adverse
tothe Catholic claims. not fair. therefore, TO throw
upon Government the entire responsibility Of re-
i
curiosity. for was utterly ignorant of the facD
asked an honorable friend the day before yester-
day, taking the representation Of the fifteen coun-
ties OF England posseNipS The largest population,
and that Of the twenty largest towns together,
what was the result with respect to their votes on
this question: for the purpose of ascertaining the
sentiments OF the electors Of those places in order
TO direct my Judgements was the indi-
vdual upon whom the blame of continued resis-
tance the Catholic claims was 70 rest to ascer-
tain upon what grounds it had been urged that
the voice OF tile people could be said to
have been almost unanimous against this ques-
ton! My honourable friend made the calcula-
ton, which, with the leave Of the house, 1 shall
state, first observing, that the counties and towns
Sesetected were chosen account of their superior
extent aud amount OF population. Hear, hear,
bear.) The argument shall found on this prac-
teal view take to be unanswerable On what
principle, will ask the honorable gentlemen who
cheer, il the government of ireland to he carried
on, il inquiry is refused into the manner in which
the Protestant feeling of the country has been de-
i'ronstratcd in the only way in which IL could be
available! The right honourabie Gentleman show.
ed, that the result of examination of the repre-
sentatves OF fifteen Of the most popu!ous coun-
ties was that these counties send fifteen members
TO the House Of Commons against the Catholic
claims, and seventeen in favour of tlem and that,
too. after the last House Of Commons had twice
passed the bills Of relief. He next showed, that
twenty Of the largest cities and towns have de-
monssrated their opinions on the Catholic claims,
eighteen OF their representatives voting against con-
cesslon, and twenty eighth favor OF i'll must,
therefore, say, that the expression of the deliher-
afc voice OF England is in favor OF the settlement
OF the Catholic claims. But, even were that not
the case, Parliament having, for the last ten years
been nearly equally divided on the question, it is
not fair TO throw Oh the responsibility of per-
Inanently opposing tie settlement OF it, shall
now refer 10 the state Of public opinion with re-
spect to the inference drawn from the debates in
this house on the Catholic question. Upon whom,
ask, has the burden OF opposing these claims
M hold hap., " b,f-
ersin favor Of the Catholic question, and those
against it. To name those individuals would be
!nv;dious; but, when individuals have, for ten
years, suffered this question to he discussed with
out ever once attempting TO open their mouths TO
express their sentiments upon it, when the speak
ers on the other side as three 10 one, it is
very hard that those who never heard themselves
speak should come forward now in 1929, and say
that the weight of Protestant feeling was against
Tie settlement OF this great and important ques-
ton; and must say that the honorable member
for. X emf, would have evinced his zeal for the
Protestant establishment betterby supporting me in
the Catholic question than by suInmoning the peo-
pie OF Kent 10 meet on Penenden-iIe ath.-( Hear,
hear) A most important inference may be drawn
from these facts. How long, will ask, is resist
ance TO be kept up' That is the question for Par
lament, and those who are responsible for govern
Inent 10 consider. Have the young members Of
this house been enlisted against the claims? Now,
when ii is sought to throw the responsibility OF
opposing this question on me- feel bound 10 state
that II is impossible not 10 that almost every
young man that has entered this house within the
last ten years has come forward, actively, zeaous-
~ end eloquenfiy, 10 advocate the Catholic claii.s.
CLEAR, hedr.) These, | say, are important
facts, which ought 10. TO be left out Of consiIera-
ion.-(Hear) To resume This having been
Tor Internationally years the state of the govern
inent and the state of Parliament, come next 10
Che consideration OF what has been tie state of Ire
and during the same period Ii is possible that the
state OF Ireland may have depended upon the di
sions in its government; but will not enter into an
argument upon causes and eiIec,syIt is however,
impossible to look at the situation of that country
under those circumstances, without propfesyine
what might be- the effect of the changes am
about to propose. II every thing were salisfacto-
ry,n tne ordinary course Of Tie laws were suili-
Gent Tor the government of Ireland and for her
welfare there might be good grounds for object
i!fg to alteration; but, during the fine when Par
lament was divided and the government Gisunited
IN this question, what has been the state OF Ire
and! That, during the last ive-and twenty
ears, ministers were scarcely ever able 10 RELY
lPon the ordinary laws for the government of
nat country. -QIear, hear.) I am ready, as a
public man, 10 take my share Of this responsible
$; but say it is charge which falls il, proper
ION to every public man who participated
N the administration within that period. Mr. Peel
.ar traced the history Of Ireland from the year
iSO0 10 The year 1873. Such were the conssquen-
ces TO Ireland OF divided Parliament and dis.
unted Government; and these convince me that
matters cannot remain as they arc, but that some
attempt must be made TO settle the question. I
iow approach that part Of my address which ia d.
fccted 10 what the proposed alterations are. The
trst step would be 10 secure an undivided Parlia-
nent and an united government, who would be
prepared TO consider the possibility Of adjusting
IL