Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-04-28
IMPERIAk PARLIAMENT.
HOUSE OF CO.Mylfo.V.SLSlarch

ODSerted,
hon. gentleman proceeded to address the house to
the following effect:
"AIr. Speaker, rise TO move that that part Of
his Majesty's most gracious speech which relates
TO Ireland, and recommends the consideration OF
the state Of that country with view to a removal
OF civil disabilities be now read."
The motion having been put and seconded, the
clerk OF tie house read that part Of the speech
which was to be the subjeet-niatter Of the IT. lion.
gentleinan's propositions
Mr. Secretary Peel, then went on as folows:-
Sir, rise, minister of the king, and with the
just authority which belongs 70 that station VIM
dieate the advice which has been given to his ma
ljesty by united cabinet-(loud cries of Hear,
hear.)-to introduce into his gracious speech 10
Parliament that recommendation in regard 10
ireland which has been just read and to submit to
me consideration OF the house the means by which
the government propose 10 carry his Majesty's
gracious Recommendation into effect rise, i'm the
spirit OF peace, 10 propose the adjustment of the
Roman Catholic question, Of that question which
has occupied the attention Of the Legislature and
distracted the councils OF the kings cabinet for
now nearly thirty years. propose TO discuss this
que son in the spirit enioined in Of those beau
hiul prayers by which on this, on all other
casions, we auspcate our proceedings in this house,
and by which we enjoined to lay aside all pri-
vate interest, prejudices, and partiaties; and may
God grant that, in the words Of this prayer, "ihe
results oil our councils on this day may tend to the
maintenance OF true religion, and the safety, hon.
our, and happiness of the empire; that they may
tend 10 the security Of the public wealth, peace,
and tranquility, and TO the uniting and knitting in
the bonds OF true Christian charity the hearts Of
all classes OF Abe people of this country."-I
| In approaching this great question feel over
powered by The magnitude OF the interests which
are involved in the result, by the difficulties which
| Know are 10 be encountered in the course upon
which bave entered. Nor am ignorant OF the
extent 10 which those sfiffc ties increased by
the situation OF him upon whom il has fallen 10
propose these measures TO the consideration OF the
house. But, through all these discouraging cir
r.
| have done my duty, cloud cheers,) and fulfilled
the obligations of that solemn oath which l have
taken in my capacity of responsible adviser OF
the crown, and which obliges me, in all matters
which may lie treated of in the councils of my so
vereign, TO declare openly and faithfully, accord
! ing TO my heart and conscience, and the best Of
my abilities, my opinions upon the questions which
may De submitted 10 my consideration. Acting
upon The spirit OF this sacred ohlga Inow de-
clare that the time is come when there is less of
danger 20 the interests of this empire rs well
as to the spiritual and temporal welfare Of the Pro-
tesant church itself, in attempting, safe prnci
pies, an adjustment OF this question, than in any
other course that could suggest. On former
occasion made this declaration, and, upon care
ful review Of all the circumstances of the case,
now deliberately and firmly adhere 70 this decaya
tion unchanged by the scurrihty and abuse which
has been thrown upon me; unchanged by the forfeit
ure OF political confidence; unchanged by even
The heavier loss Of private friendship.-Ths being
so, when option was given me whether ! should
the sincerity Of my principles by consenting to be
the advocate in Parliament of the measure which
recommend to his Majesty, ] thought it my .,u-
~ TO propose the measure in the house the min-
ister oil the crown. Whether / look back upon |
the past or take survey OF the present, or gl,nce
forward to the prospects Of the future,I see the
time arrived when an attempt must be made 10 { &
ect The adjustment OF this most important que stion
have been called upon TO make ont ease in
support of the propositions which shall submit |
TO the house, and to declare the reasons WHY now
recommend measurefwhich is in opposition 10 |
The course which have formerly pursued upon |
the subject. That case am DOW about to state |
Tor the purpose Of attempting 10 convince those |
VINO diher from me upon this subject, and for |
the satisfaction OF the people Of this country.-l
know that speak III the presence OF a House
OF commons OF which majority has already con- |
sented to measures Of ,ie same nature as those |
wmeh am about to propose know that this |
house has before consented TO this measure on
higher grounds than those which place IL
know, therefore, that il is not necessary for me
TO address any arguments 10 those who have adj
vocated this measure with view 10 avertinp The
evils and embarrassments which, i'm their I,,dv |
'nent, must How from this great question heina an
open suoJec' OF discussion--f know that TO address,
any arguments to honorable gentlemen 40 cru,,m |
stsnced must be entirely unnecessary; but, in The
performance OF the task which have to eyecute
pay less attention to personal Objects and eudea. |
YOUR 10 satisfy the great body Of the people Of This
country, that ewhatever their opinion MAJ, h. !
upon the subjecO there is more of evil Than NJ All
vantage in attempting TO continue in the course
which has been hitherto pursued. / hope that the
hon. gentlemen opposite will bear with me whilst
stale the reasons ofthe proposed chanpcs-re,.l
sons which have carried the force Of demopstfa-l
ton to my own mind In abstract point Of view
and without any reference TO practice, thepe is
iHuch advantage in a consistent and uniform ave.
ten; but, when public man, responsible for tho
PUBIC interest and security, is called upon IN act
IN such circumstances, he must determine ho,y
far he can with safety push the principles which
ne entertains with sincerity. and whether i'm or
ryins them to certain extent, he may not be on.
dangering the existence OF those institutions which
is The object his principles 10 preserve. II he
snouid then, upon mature deIiberation, be og opi.
mon mon ma, 10 perseyeFe in asserting his former
prime pes would be rather iniuyio,,s than adyan
tageous to the objects for which those pyincipes
had been adopted, there is 70 Inconsistency in
ms abandoning bfs former course and IL cyeuI
becomes lis duty to advise measures opros;,e tol
those which he may have formerly reconmenJ
ed. am now about to address rpyseIf solely In
the practical consideration OF the case I do moi
mean to argue the question upon any absIraeil
considerations, or upon any disquistions copcern-
ing the theory OF government but TO propose tic
grounds on which J., as an actual minister of ,1,o
crown,haye to the conclusion that m,,c, s,c,'
er danger would follow from advising a cont;nued
resistance TO The succession Of the claims OF ti,e ~
man Catb0iics, Than from recommending 4, d.f;, 4
crate attempt or to take the question into ro,s;i
avon, ~ view 10 hDai and satisfsctorv ,d;,,s,
ment trust that 10 the arguments which sLsu
sdduce, | shalt have the attention ~ ,n, !
honourablc friends. These arguments acc on !
ure'y founded upon view Of praeticJ rom
s'nera,ions, anu confess that an, anxious 10
zee "ha. answer. can be given 10 them. The /
outline of my argument IL tb;s-that we are /
"a. ...l.. a.