Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-04-04


have stated what were his grounds for entertainiag
such an opinion.-(Hcar, hear) II the constitution
OF this country were TO remain essentially Protestant
no individual who did not cherish the purest Protest.
aut principles was tit to legislate over them. He
maintained that there was in the Roman Catholic
Religion that character md those PRINCIPLES which
were perfectly Inconsistent with the Protesant priv
ileges; and when this proposed measure should be
Drought forward he earnestly trusted the Protestant
part Of this constitution would narrowly watch this
prat OF the bill, and tske especial care that their
rights were IN no way Whatever infiinged by it. He
once felt himself proud to be member of that party
who advocated the principles Of Protestantis but If
q proceeding such was now thought of were to ro
on the day would come when il would have to be
considered disgrace and disloneur TO have belong
ed to such party.--t Cheers.) N
The Earl of Eldon could not think who ever G.
commenced this measure to his Majesty. This was
the most important subject that ever had been brot
before Parliament since the day the Bill was first
passed. which was deemed necessary for the preser-
walton, liberty and protection of the religion of the
country. He had stood in situations i'm this country
which would make him the most unpa rlonable man
in existence, If he did not continue to declare on all
occasions, when the subject was brought forward
that 1t embodied the most important question that
had ever been discussed. He had no hesitation i'm
saying that u they once permitted Roman Catholics
to form part of the Legislature Of the country or to
hold any Offices from that moment the sun of rent
Britain had set. The Marquis of Salisbury had GER
tainly talked great deal about tho rights of the
Catholics TO be admitted to the Legislature bat who
ever heard of such thing. Was it not competent
for any State to say who should or who sbouid mo-,
be competent to fill its Offices. No consideration on
this side the grave should ever induce him to give
his consent to the introduction of Roman Catholics
into any of the great political Offices With great
Difference 10 the Noble Duke ut the head of his Ma
estys Government, he would say, that if this measure
for the interest of the country, its interest had
been very much neglected during the last Session by
those whose duty it was to have protected il. The
Noble Lord who had seconded the address had hoped
Association hay, the
to put end to ITSELF but he, (Lord Eldon would be
glad to know when the members of the Association
would have the good sense to do that which the No
bic Marquis thought they would. IL was matter
bave'been permitted 10 remain for two or three wears
when evory word uttered by It's members was trea-
son and sedtion If belief were be put in their pub
LEGATION. No man paid more respect TO the erpl-
ments urged in that House than himself
Last Session he occasionally heard Noble Lord
argue that civil and religious liberty required the re-
peal of the disqualification laws. There Lord Hol-
land moved his hat. Religious liberty had nothing
to do with the question The Constitution was Pro,
testant, and the King bad right to his throne but
to support that religion. His Majesty had been pa-
ced there because all other religions of the
question. What right had the Roman Catholics to
TIE Protestant mode of filling Offices. Every stat,
had the right to M Offices in the way they considered
best. No man ought to be debarred from holding
Office but he should comply with the laws of the State
He considered this question Of the highest inpor
lance to the subjects of this realm, and he would in
form their Lordships that consideration on this side
the grave should induce him to consent to the intro
duction of single Roman Catholic into the Parlia-
ment of the United Kingdom. Such admission of
Roman Catholics was opposed to the principles on
which his Majesty entitled 10 the throne. How
came the House of Brunswick entitled TO the throne
The Protestants OF this country made the Crown be-
long only to monarchs of Protestant descent They
had, long ago the reign of Elizabeth denied Ro
man Catholics admission to Parliament. II was de-
cided at the Revolution, that King, Lords and Com
MONS should be Protestant. The Noble and Learn
ed Lord DESTROYS of entering into discussions
upon what they ought to do. His Majesty had sent a
recommendation to the House, & that recommends
tion would be attended to. The House would enter
tain the subject with temper and moderation. II
however, they should proceed upon any principle
which might involve the protestants in apprehension
for their security, they would be taking most dan
gerous course. They could not remove the doubts
of the Protestauts BY complying with the wishes of
the Roman Catholics. Having said thus much from
of duty, the Noble and learned Lord was de-
sirous Of saying also, that whenever Catholics were
introduced either to the Lords or Commons, this
country would he lost. He should do his duty to his
Knight would be a gross violation of duty 10 his
King, and fellow SUBJECTS to withhold his opinion up
on a subject Of SO much Importance. He was salts
fed that every country supported by established
gion ought to support that religion. He could not
consistently with his oath withdraw himself from
Parliament, but he could consent TO support
proposition injurious TO the principles ofthe Con-
| siituton. Whatever he said was founded up
on firm conviction that he discharging
his duty to his country. Experience had pro-
we'd that illegal associations could be put down
by the common law Of the land. The Roman
Catholic Association were seeking TO introduce
the religion which would injurc the country.
When he heard them speaking of tho Constitution
of the country, and at the same time forcing down
the Threats Of the ignorant people of Ireland doc
trines the most dangerous to that Constitutions he
was astonished to Gnd SO much forbearance in the
application Of the common law. They had told the
Protestans what they would do in order to set I'D n
new Constitution, and destroy the established Con-
stitution They had declared ell their intentions.
aud yet party who called themselves Protestants
wished to assist in the work of destruction. Parlia-
ment should take care what they did. Iflhey were
DESTROYS of forming new Constitution, do Il, at a
risk, but he should recommend them again and again.
to do nothing unless they frst asccrtained that the
laws Of the land insufficient to preserve tho
Constitution they possessed. The common law
book of the country was opened. Why did they
not consult it-Thcy had allowed Jesuits to enter
Ireland. Those very men banishcd from most states
i'm EurOue. had found rp'0Uc in ireland nd tho