The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-07-05
Mr.. Di.raeli to the Protestants OF Ireland
The Prewier ON Revolution.



A deputstion consisting of noblemen and gen
tlemen representing the Ulster Protestant De-
Tense Association and the Central Protestant De-
Tense Association in Dublin, together with tneu
various branches throughout Ireland, waited yes
terday upon the premier at his official residence,
in Downing street, for the purpose of laying
before him resolutions passed by those bodies IN
reference to the proposed diseatablishment aud
Of the Irish Church, and of making
statements in support Of those resolutions.
The following noblemen and gentlemen repre-
scented the Ulster Protestant Defense Association:
Marquis of Downshire, Sir Edmond Macnaughten.
D. L.; Sir F. Heygate, M. p; Sir J. Z. Tenant,
John Muholland, ID. L.: High Sheriff Down, John
MeGildow ney, d. H.; the governor of the honors-
Bile the Irish Society Rev. G. Seaver, honorable
secretary; Rev. h. Henderson, Presbyterian min
lister; Rev. d. Mscsfse, Wesleyan; w. Ewart sad
r. 7. McGeah. The other bodies were largely
represented also.
The MARQUIS of Downshre, having introduced
the deputaton, said that they represented a.!
classes and denominations of Protestants IN All
parts of Ireland. In consequence of the recent
attacks upon the Irish branch of the United
Church, Protestant Defense Associations had
been formed which had branches in various parts
of ireland, and they had come to resolutions
which the deputation now submitted to the head
of her majesty's government.
The Rev. Mr.. Henderson, Presbyterian minister
said be had, on behalf Of the Protestants OF Ire
land to urge upon the government the adoption Of
q decided, distinct and strong Protestant policy.
Loud cheers.) He need not say that there were
different opinions held among Presbyterian as to
the Established Church; but great majority OF
the ministers of that Church had stood forth
boldly in defence of it. (Cheers) He had no
hesitation, minister ofthe Presbyterian Church.
in saying that he regarded the Established Church
in Ireland as the great bulwark Of Professionalism
in that country. loud cheers.) He was there
also to ask the government to give their continued
support to the RegilH1 DOnUDt. (Hear, hearl
EMPLOYED during fifty years a minister in
various parts Of Ireland, he knew whatthe opinion
of the Irish peoe was in reference to the ques-
ton now under consideration. IL was not IN ac-
dance with the fact TO say that Irish people would
be pleased by the overthrow of the Church. The
priests would be but not the people. II that
which was now contemplated was carried out Il
would lead 10 an increase Of absenteeism and emf
gration-( hear, hear)-and it would smooth the
way for the establishment of Roman Catholicism
in Ireland. The Irish Church had the truth, il
taught the Bible, and therefore il should be up
held. (Hear, hear.) Degrade the Church and ii
might be that the Bible would be taken out Of
every country parish in Ireland, and taken out
authOritatively. What was now proposed was
the removal of great monument IN favor OF
Professionalism. Hear. hear.) He hoped the day
would never come when the government of Pro-
testant England would think OF endowing the Ro-
man Catholic Church or of recanting Protestant
ism in the eyes Of all the world. (Cheers)
Mr. Dsraeli, who on rising was received with
loud cheers, said: | need not assure you that
am deeply gratfed, and am sure my colleagues
will be when inform them Of that important de-
putation which have the honor OF receiving this
day. and which represents the whole OF the Pro-
testant population of Ireland-( cheers (which is
not imited t0one church to any particular sect,
but which, think, from the various associations
| which have been delegated to appear here to-day,
NAV be plainly looked upon as representing the
general sentiments of the Protestant population
| Of Ireland. Hear, hear and cheers.) And, gen.
| tlemen, can assure you that so far as the Pro-
testant churches and the Protestant institutions Of
Ireland are concerned, you need have no fear that
/ har mo u
by them cheers)-and TO the utmost OF their
| efforts support and maintain them. Loud cheers
| We are well aware of the critical position of
affairs in Ireland from the policy which has sud
| denly been introduced by the opposition in the
| present parliament; but | think we should be
| taking very limited view of the situation II we
looked upon il as only affecting the interests OF
| Ireland. In the opinion OF her malestys gov
| eminent the interests of the whole United King
| dom are concerned, and the blow that is to be
| dealt TO the institutions of Ireland must, In due
| time, as q necessary consequences, be levenod
against the institutions OF Great Britain. Under
these circumstances-circu Of great difr-
Guilty and, no doubt, great danger-her majesty g
| government have taken that course which they
believed was their duty-namely, to take care
p;eIPitats decision was ar ar ye- az ~
| ton. And, although from the position 10 which
we were placed, having accepted oihce origin
ally in a minority, we have not 6een able 70
| accomplish that which we could have desired,
| we have ct least secured this for the people OF
this country that their constitution shall not be
| subverted without an appeal TO them. Cheers
| So that if there is to be a great and lsmentaole
| change in the institutions Of the United Kingdom
| it will be by the people of the United Kingdom
| and not by the Vaccinations OF party OF polii
clans who have seized favorable opportunity OF
carrying their revolutionary designs into Affect
Loud and prolonged cheering) The question
therefore, simply is this. Do the people OF Tho
United Kingdom wish for revolution DO theJ
| wish for a subversion of those institutions V
which they owe in my opinion, their happiness
and their greatness? loud cheers) Her ma
| jesty's ministers will not believe that can be thu
, | case and they look forward with the utmos
| confidence to the impending appeal to this grea
! | nation, believing that the verdict to be give
! | will be one TO uphold the institutions OF tn
! | country, and among those institutions those |
! | which you are peculiarly interested-the Protet
I tant institutions of Ireland. Loud and prolonge
| cheering.)
: The marquis Of Downshire-I beg to than
\ you, sir, in the name of this deputston, and :
. say that the statement you have Just made
perfectly satisfactory. (Cheers.)
a The deputation then withdrew.