Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1835-11-12
COrrsspOndsHcs cfshs Portland Advertiser.
THINGS IN IRELAND.

traveller as DC passes from England or Scot.
land, 70 Ireland. He falls among a people
who nOmiOally speak the same language, and
who are under the same government; but
they are different people altogether. and the
countries have different aspect. Mind yOn,
now speak OF the south and west Of Ireland
for the north differs from those rs much as
light differs. from darkness. Every body per-
ceives this difference between England or
Scotland, and IIrIand, and every body asks
the cause. That Is question more easily
asked than ausw ered-fOr an answer would
enable the government to administer a RENE
dy. Something OF other has operated SD as
to change the character Of the people. ), What
that something is, It is impossible to tell.
believe it is two religious, or two irrelig-
tous-One depressing the people in the way
Of tithes for preaching they abhor, and the
other by working upon their passions and
prejudices, leading them astray and plumber
ing them Of what little the tirst has left for
their own support. The established religion
IA Ireland is a monster Of oppression, over
whelming people who detest it, and whose
frst education is to detest it. and many Of it's
ministers. The catholic religion, conducted
by an ignorant priesthood, only versed ia
Aue MGrias, perhaps the very worst priest
hood on earth, completes the picture. The
one religion is ever pulling against the other.
The outrage of one forces upon the wrongs Of
the other, and the wrongs Of the last embit-
tered by oppression, break out in slaughter,
CONGREGATIONS, riots, and desolation. The
people are thus pulled two ways, and there
fore stand stll-at heart really respecting nei-
Their religion. but fearing either, just as super
stiti0n happens to produce fear. PrOtes-
tantism can make 10 converts. because it at
tempts to act by force. Catholicism will
make no advances, because it has no induce
ments. Whatever one does, the other cOun-
teracts. The good that this administers. that
pOisons. Thus religion is made party-and
when religion is Joined with politics, then come
fanaticism, bigotry. violence, and all such
evils. in tho train. The great secret which
we have. Of having no established religion,
but keeping all in order, IL | may he allowed
the expression, by creating competition, and
thus putting all on equal ground. the monop-
Olists here will not and do not understand.
Now, do not let me be misunderstood in
these remarks. / am not entering upon
crusade, either against catholicism or profess
tantism. do not say which is the religion.
do not decry religion. The very misfortune
OF the Irish people believe, is that they have |
any OF any kind, unless it be the few dissen-
tiers here and there thus demonstrating what |
/ have always believed, that Religion is as
necessary to state as law-nOt an establish.
ed religion. but religion that shall influence
what the law cannot influence. Hence,- per-
haps the more creeds the better. The more |
competition there 10, as said before, the |
greater the efforts to do good. look upon
religion az the medicine Of The State. What /
suits one constitution, will not suit another.
What operates upon this mind, will not Ope-
rate upon that. This man you can only ope-
rate upon by fear. Brighten him TO be good.
That man, love and affection can make go
straight. Duty here is enough. Principle
there. The more creeds. now, that bring to
hear these various impulses upon men, the
better will more men be-. The preachers will
have hit more. More patients will be cured.
Hence. perhaps, God in his wisdom left dis
putable 90 many points 10 scripture. leaving
that not clear. which Of all things we seek to
be the most assured about. y "25"" 81
These remarks apply to the condition o.
the Irish people. The man who expects |
people to live happy and freely and orderly,
without some religion, 10 madman. Law \
is not 50 strong as conscience. That littls |
whispering monitor acts wiihin--law acts /
without. Now the mischief in Ireland is, that /
parties as to strength are about equally diyid. |
ed. King Number is Catholic, and is strong, |
too. King Power 10 Protestant. and is strong. |
~. A battle 10 therefore going on night and /
day. The parties are bitter. More 10 tho't |
Ut oversetting each other, than Of lifting Up
the people. Protestantism relies upon law,
and thinks little of conscience. Catholicism
relies upon numbers, and, is ever marsballing !
them to overset the law. The established |
religion keeps out competition. The dissen.
lers are like neutrals In the day Of battle,
scAnted by both parties aud the consequence
is-ss hat It is-that ireland 10 blessed BY
God and cursed by man." II Lord Morpeth
expects that his bill Of partial justice will
change the character of Ireland, he mistakes.
He mast iop OF the established religion there, I
or establish the religion which : majority Of
the people profess, and thus elevate that.-(
How can an Irish protestant clergyman on
the sabbath speak TO hundred people Of
:" the containing influence or the gospel,
when the other days ia the week he is taking
from them their property to pay for preach
Ing they are taught to abhSrs and which 10 |
th0s made abhOrrent 10 them Next let the |
ministry. Il they would elevate Ire:.snd, ed0- |
cate the Irish priests, not at home. but abroad |
--let them insist upon it, that they l.eow !
something else than Latin--let them take q. \
way their savage spirit BY taking away the /
causes that make them savage. The same
good will be dcne-fsr how different q man,
generally speaking, 10 French priest from ar |
Irish priest! - asIsj vi 37 en-
Other evils Ireland has to complain Of than
religious war; hut they spring, I believe.
from 4his great evil. Her nobility Av from
her, aud withdraw their wealth 10 suppOrt |
them elsewhere. Why? because reIEious
4. L.. u.