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

iui,.l la oppoSon 10 conc eksior. 10 have obiaine,
the consent OF Parliament TO the system Of exelu-
sion, the question is, how long may such sys-
tenn last. II may last grant, while you are at
peace. But then comes the question, can 1t be
maintained during war! II it cannot, then YOU
will have to consider the approach of war as
most disastrous period 10 the Interests Of EN-.
pre; for. i can easily believe, that new govern
mcnt thus constituted in hostility TO the Catholic
claims, will be prepared to say that they viii adj
here TO these principles of Protestant ascendancy
through all changes and reverses that they will
Try 10 maintain their favourite system under all
circumstances, however varying but can they do
what they profess! To solve this question il viii
be necessary for us that we should Look back a
little 10 history-to the history Of ireland. re-
Ter honorable gentlemen 10 o period (t792) when
there were bold hearts at tho head Of the ad,ninis-
traiion, Protestant Parliament united, aud an u
nited Protestant population In ireland when there
were IN every county in Ireland grand juries u
unanimous against concession; and when the Irish
House OF Commons, by an overwhelming major
ity, rejected, not bill. nor resolution 10 take
the Catholic claims into consideration, but the
very petition of the Catholics of Ireland. Yet in
spite OF all that unanim,y Of opposition; in spite
of oil their declarations, and resolutions, and re-
jections; in spite OF a parliamentary majority of
three to one against concession, on the announce
inent OF the French war, the session of 1903 o.
pened IN Ireland with a recommendation from
the throne TO Parliament, to take into considera-
ton the situation of the Catholics of that country;
and in that very session Of 1893 measure Of con-
cession was passed In favor Of the Catholics, and
that, too, with haste and precipitnncy of which
we are this day reapirg the bitter fruits. Gen.
lemen may profess ami boast OF their fxedncss Of
purpose in adhering 20 measures Of exclusion I'M
der new government; but will tell them, that,
until we can have boder ministry, more Pro-
tes'ant Parliament, and more united body of
Protestants, such scenes as have described may
be acted again, and the nation may, through
rational fears Of danger, be induced To- recede
from such resolutions as must be adopted under
D new government opposed to the Catholic claims
Another alternative resulting from non. conces-
sion-an alternative which, however, has been
but remotely limited at Ivy honourable gentlemen
is civil war in ireland. Such an alternative
J, from the bottom of my heart, must deprecate /;
and God forbid that the Protestant interest should
be loaded with the responsibility of such result
Sir, ii there were any, the remotest, chance that
affairs could be forced to such monstrous and
unnatural issue. will say that 1 am prepared to
make great sacrifice TO avert the calamity. |
would appeal to my countrymen in the dying
words OF an illustrious patriot, himself the wit.
ness, the partisan, and the victim of a civil war,
the great, the virtuous Lord Falkland-"peace,
peace, peace.
"caentt in faiera de-trx
qua daiur est arms conturranf arna, cavs.e:,
{ To be Concfuded.)