Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-04-17
MIR. PEEL'S SPEECH.
HOUSE OF COMMONS, FEpRuAnr S, 1899.


ing his former course OF policy upon this question: we
present it to our readers entirc
Mr.. Secretary PEEL.-I trust the uonourable
Member who spoke last (Mr Moorc) and the Noble
Lord, the Member for the County Of Buckingham
lord Chandos), and the two Honorable Members
(Sir K. Ingis aud Mr.. Banlscs), who preceded them
the debate, will do me the justice to believe that
of all the painful sacrifices which public mon are call
cd upon to offer up for what they consider the public
good the most painful is that sacrifice which they
compelled to make separating from those with
whom they have been long acting in concurrence,
1nd promoting certain course of proceeding. say
again. that the being compelled to separate from mon,
for whose integrity of motive and rectitude Of princi
pie, entertain the most profound respect, is with me,
Of NIL sacrifices, the most painful | trust however,
j. would be admitted. that Minister of the Crown
stands in situation somewhat different from that
Of other that i'll that capacity he has access 10
Information that is not be obtained by othsrs but,
above all, that he stands in such relation to the
Crown, and under circumstances of nature so deli
cate, that he not at liberty to free himself from that
responsibility by which he is compelled, without refer
ence to party personal obligations, honestly ind
fairly and conscientousy, to give the best advice,
in his power upon the measures which ought to be
pursued under state OF things extraordinary as
That in which the Government of this Country aow
finds itself placed. (licar, hear.I With respect To
tile question OF Catholic Emanci patton, whatever re-
servations may have been hitherto adhered to, con-
ceve that such compaCs and such reservations do not
at all relieve Minister of the Crown from the neces-
sity Offering in the exercise OF the duties OF his Of
tce the advice which such contingency of circuin-
stances demands, from being responsible for the
consequences of that advice There reproach-
rs offered me by those with whom have held these
opinions, that l take ill., for admit that shall
retain those opinions which | have always protested,
and only ash whether 1t may not be possible to re-
tain those opinions, but yet to feel unwilling press
them 20 extent which would prove incompatible
with the interests of the state? Ii those who have
hitherto held those opinions be brought to believe
that the prosecution of them is likely tn prove more
injurious the general interests of all parties and 20
The Protestant establishment itself than the consde
ration OF the question whole, contend it is our
duty to give that advice which seems to best adap-
ted to meet the eXigencles ofthe times; and believe
that there is less OF evil and less Of danger be ap
pretended from fair, calm consideration, at the
present moment OF the cond ton of the people of Ire
land as whole, and by united Government, than
could find in any other which it would be
possible 10 devise. l pretend to lights upon
This subject. maintain the opinions now
have always held III this House. l see in the same
manner and to the extent the dangers upon
which have before dvTclt, whcn have been under
Che necessity OF stating my sentiments upon the
question; but have n)w no hesitation i'll declaring,
conceive the pressure OF present evils to be SO great
that am willing TO endure the risk of coDtiDacnt
dangers, rather than a OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
great aggravation-of oil the evils which at pre-
stint exist. clear hear, hear.) repeat nantei IN
the opinions have often expressed but So, in Tie
position of the Government and i'll the state eP the
Legislature, and in the disunion which has al
ways prevaied IN that Government, and in the
general bearings Of this question upon all the
great Interests Of the country, much dan
COR. that willing to- accept almost any alter
native, rather than endure their continuance. iIear
For nearly Ave and twenty years-since, believe
che year I804thcre has been always division In is
Majesty's Councils with respect to the proprety of
Catholic Emancipation. The Government Of the
ourItrY had at intervals, before that time been com
posed of persons who made common cause in their
resistance to those claims; but for tie last tweny five
years. of different opinions upon this question
have taken part Ill his Majesty's councils. When
Mr. Pitt returned to Office in 301 it il notorious that
H. maintained opinions upon this question different
from his colleagues, but yet, on grounds which ad-
mtted of explanation, he admitted the members Of his
cabinet to resist the claims of the Catholics In the
year 1906 when the ministry of Mr.. Pitt was broken
up, and the coalition took place between Mr.. Fox and
Lord Melville, the administration was formed on the
principle of neutrality and that principle, which was
found to be Unavoidable had been admitted IL
10 the construction of every subsequent minis
fry down to the present hour. That an adj
lhInistratlon has been formed Of persons holding
different opinions upon snch subject is, therefore,
notorious and although man feels deeply than
do the evils Of such principle, believe it to be an
error which Is unavoidable, aud which have shared
N common with all those who have preceded me f5ri
tho period mentioned. believe, indeed it was in
possible TO form administration under any other
circumstances; and that, however painful might be the
situation in which such circumstances placed indvid-
nails, however preudical the. disunion proved to
;he interests of the country, the plea Of unavoidable
necessity permitted to override every other con-
sidctation. 1t natural, admit that during a
state OF war, or when labouring under the difficulties
h uePS'io'i9 WHICH were atCeiiuaHt upon Sudden
translation to state Of peace the consideration ofthe
weight due to question ofthis description should be
postponed and that should merge their desires
tor its settlement in their anxiety to promote the other
pressing interests Of the country. / say, however,
that the reasons which operated to such an extent
then cannot bold good now. This question is second
70 no other which can be brought under the attention
ofthe Legislature There is no immediate and pres
sing danger which prevents ms from giving its diff.
fcultes full attention. clear, hear.] This
therefore, is my first positlon-that however exped-
ont, however allowable it might have been for the
government to profess neutrality upon the Catholic
claims in oth7T times, such state ofthinge Is utterly
OFT oftiic question At time when there's scarce
~ an individual in the empire who docs not express
opinion upon the subject, aud who is not even ma
King it the topic Of his every DAYS DISCOURSE can It be