Page images
PDF
EPUB

destroy the growth of the plants that surrounded them. He then pronounced a splendid panegyric upon the merits

of the duke of Sussex, and also on

those of the earl of Fingall, whose mild and steady character was well calculated to qualify the effect of the injudicious steps of some of his countrymen, and to give force to the just pretensions of the great question they were advocating. Irishmen and Englishmen should harmonize together in a state of fraternity. There may be talebearers between both, and irritations may have been thus cruelly fomented; but they should take a wiser course. The time would, he hoped, soon arrive, when man would not appear the worse son of God, by disdaining to be the factious sycophant of his fellow mortal. The right hon. gentleman spoke in quite a feeble tone, occasioned, we lament to state, by indisposition. The anxiety to hear him created a momentary confusion. The company pressed forward in a mass to the upper table, and rendered it impossible to hear Mr. Curran's ob servations. We could only hear him pronounce a panegyric upon the Institution, and deliver some striking observations on the constancy of the Pope in the hour of his persecution.

Mr. Curran's health was then drank

with great applause. Lord Fingall having left the room, the Rev. Dr. Collins was called to the chair, when the health of "The Protestant Friends of the Charity" was proposed by Mr. Woods, in a neat speech, and drank with applause. The healths of "Dr. Collins," and of "The Stewards," were also given, after which the company broke up.

The amount of the collection made at the dinner exceeded 500 guineas.

ROMAN CATHOLIC PETITIONS. In the House of Commons on the 28th instant, Sir H. Parnell rose for the purpose of presenting to the house the petition of the roman catholics of Ireland. It entreated the favourable attention of the house to their peculiar condition under the pressure of the penal laws, by which they were so severely affected. It stated that they had taken every oath of fidelity and allegiance. They referred to the acts of the Irish le

gislature for repeated proofs of lo yalty; notwithstanding which they remained subject to the severe disabilities enforced against them, in consequence of their conscientious adherence to the religious doctrines of their forefathers. They disclaimed all latent, all sinister motives whatever; and maintained that any imputation of that nature was repelled by their number and character. Their object was direct and avowed; it was to obtain an equal participation in the civil rights enjoyed by their fellow subjects. The prayer of the petition was, that their case might receive the favourable consideration of the house of commons. He. (Sir H. Parnell) would not trespass further on the house, were it not that the petition contained another clause of great importance to the discussion which was soon to take place on the subject. By that clause an opening was given for the satisfactory adjustment of that long disputed point relative to ecclesiastical security. The house would agree with him, that the claims set up on the one side to security and denial of those claims on the other, had been the means of the frequent failure of the cause of the catholics in parliament. Those claims had had been founded on the apprehension of foreign interference in the nomination of the Irish bishops. When plans where suggested for affording a security against the danger, the catholic bishops in 1808 published a resolution, declaring that, in their opinion, it would be inexpedient to alter the existing mode of nomination; and the laity soon followed their example. But now a complete change had taken place in their sentiments-a change so great that all must admit that the approaching discussion would take place under circumstances altogether different from any that had hitherto occurred. The Irish bishops no lon

subjects. The catholic prelates and the catholics at large offered to bind themselves by oath to choose no one for recommendation to the pope but a native of the empire, and one whom they conscientiously believed to be loyal in principle. They further proposed, that all the catholic bishops and clergy should swear not to disturb or attempt to overturn, by fraud or force, the civil and religious institutions of the empire, or to interfere with the existing settlement of property. They had been assur ed, by eminent persons in the confidence of the pope, that he would not object to sanction these offers, if they were likely to give satisfaction to the legislature, and to secure the desired relief to thecatholic body. Here, therefore, was a proposition directly meeting the ob

ger adhered to their resolution. On | the contrary, they proposed an arrangement which was calculated to meet all the dangers apprehended by those who had hitherto opposed the catholic claims. The clause to which he had just adverted, and which he begged leave to read, contained this proposition, with a distinct avowal of the acquiescence of the great catholic body in the_opinion of the catholic prelates. They stated in the clause, that in thus addressing the legislature, they were naturally desirous of conciliating favour, and obviating the objections which had heretofore been made to a compliance with their wishes; and thatthey entertained a conscientious conviction that all the important differences existing on the subject might be happily reconciled, by the adoption of the domestic nominationjection urged, of danger arising from of the catholic bishops, in which the the foreign influence of the pope, by catholic bishops were ready to cou- rendering future nominations in evecur, and which would meet with the ry respect domestic. He (sir, H. most cordial approbation of the ca- Parnell) had felt it his duty to state tholics at large. He trusted that this thus much, in the hope that honourdeclaration would be considered by able members would take the subthe house not more important in its ject into their most serious considersubstance than in the temperate and ation, and would possess themselves proper language in which it was ex- of every necessary information repressed. It was necessary for him to specting it, that they might be duly explain in some degree the plan that prepared to come to a wise decision it was intended to propose. He was on the motion that was soon to be. able to do so on the authority of a submitted to them by his right hoprelate of the catholic church, who nourable friend. He wished to say stated that the chief objection which a word or two on that which might had been long urged in the discus- to some appear an inconsistency on sions in parliament respecting the the part of the catholics-the conappointment of the catholic bishops, tinuance of their objection to the was, that although on a vacancy the veto. The present was not the time Irish prelates recommended an indi- for going into a detailed explanation vidual to the pope, the pope was not on this subject. But the catholics obliged to attend to their recom- objected to the veto on conscientious mendation, but might install any principles, conceiving that to accede other person, even a foreigner, Into it would be in effect to give to order to obviate that objection, the the crown the nomination of the Irish prelates offered to procure from bishops, which was contrary to the the pope a concordat, that he would discipline of the catholic church, and not institute any other person as a would tend to the final extirpation prelate than the one recommended to of the catholic religion. He would him, his majesty's liege and sworn no longer occupy the time of the

house, and would therefore move for leave to bring up the petition.

Gen. Mathew seconded the motion, with a few observations.

Sir John Nicholl rose to enter his protest against two assumptions which had been made that evening-the one by an honourable baronet (Sir Henry Parnell) that the question was now reduced to what was the nature of the securities which ought to be required from the catholics. He protested against this assumption-the question was by no means yet reduced to this. When they could make this concession to the catholics with safety to the protestant establishment, he should be as much rejoiced as any man to enter on the question of security, The other assumption against which he protested, was made both by the hon. baronet and the gallant general (Matthew) and was calculated to lull the vigilance of members, and to put them off their guard-they both anticipated that the question would now be carried with certainty. But he was of a very different opinion. And since the last discussion of the question, circumstances had taken place, both in the united king dom and in the rest of Europe, not such as to place this question on a more favourable footing than that on which it formerly stood..

Mr. W. Smith, member for Norwich, presented the following petition from the Midland district, which, as well as the Irish one, was ordered to be printed.

To the Honourable the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in Parliament assembled, The humble Petition of the undersigned inhabitants of the counties of Warwick and Stafford, professing the Roman Catholic Religion,

Sheweth, That by acts of the 18th and 31st of his present majesty, your petitioners, in common with other English subjects of the same religion, were graciously relieved from many severe pains and penalties, to which they were subject before, upon condition of their declaring on oath, that they "Do not believe that the pope of Rome, or any other foreign prince, prelate, state or potentate, hath, or ought to have, any temporal or civil jurisdiction, power, superiority, or pre-eminence, directly or indirectly, within this realm;" and without any restriction on, or interference with, their religious discipline on the part of the legislature.

That they and the other aforesaid Roman catholics have at all times since, as well as before the passing of those acts, shewn themselves to be dutiful, loyal, and peaceable subjects of his majesty; and that no injury to the state or public welfare has occurred from their observance of this discipline.

That, nevertheless, proposals are now about to be made to your honourable house (as they learn with the utmost grief and dismay,) for annexing to a bill for their further temporal relief, different galling restrictions on their said religious discipline, which they are convinced will essentially injure and may eventually subvert the religion itself, which teaches them to be good subjects.

That the acts and decrees of different

late despotic foreign princes and potentates, though possibly professors of their religion, with respect to the exercise of it, in their several dominions, constitute neither laws nor precedents for the religious discipline of your petitioners, many of these being notoriously uncanonical, capricious, and oppressive, and all of them emanating from a foreign and incompetent authority; whereas your petitioners have the happiness of living in a free country, and under a wise and liberal legislature, which afford's religious toleration to all its subjects, leav ing them to follow their own rites and discipline, no less than their belief.

That the only imaginable ground for the interference of the civil power with their discipline, rather than with that of the numberless other religious denominations, not belonging to the established church, tious superiours being placed over them by namely the possibility of disloyal or sedia foreign prelate, may now be removed, if this will satisfy the legislature; so that no Roman catholic clergyman will be elected for the prelacy in this kingdom, except by other native clergymen, who, in addition to their oath of allegiance, will also swear that they will choose none but native subjects, of unimpeachable loyalty and peaceable demeanour.

Finally, that however desirous your petitioners are to partake with their fellowsubjects in the full benefits of the happy constitution founded by their ancestors, they are still more anxious for the safety and integrity of their religion. They therefore humbly pray this honourable house that the legal toleration of their religious discipline, which they have enjoyed without blame since the year 1791, may not now be withdrawn from them.

Mr. Grattan has fixed his motion on the above important question, for Friday, the 9th of May.

W. E. Andrews, Printer, Garlick Hill, Bow-Lane,

[blocks in formation]

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENLIGHTENED PROTESTANTS AND LIBERAL CA

THOLICS.

HE fate of our question has been Tagain decided against us; and

[ocr errors]

the wisest part of the most liberal, most enlightened, and most protestant country on earth, has once more proclaimed in the face of Europe, that it is necessary to maintain a system of intolerance, to preserve a constitution, the favoured enjoyers of which boast its being the envy of the world. Again have bigotry and prejudice triumphed over reason and justice, and five millions of catholics are doomed to remain in a state of vassalage, and proscription from civil rights, because they will not violate conscience. In another part of this number will be found a full report of the proceedings of the house of commons, on the claims of the catholics for unqualified emancipation. It is selected from the different papers of the metropolis, and is well worthy of being handed down to posterity. The reader is requested to peruse it attentively, as much important matter is to be found therein. A report of the lords shall be given in like manner next month. То many, this decision has been no matter of surprize; but to those who cling so hard to temporal honours and enjoyments it has been a heavy disappointment. To every penetrating mind it has long been clearly demonstrable, that the time is not

ORTHOD. JOUR. VOL. Y.

yet arrived when true liberality shall assume her sway in these islands, and the mist of prejudice be chased away by the influential rays of fraternal charity. The protestants of

this deluded nation have been too long under the control of a corrupt and lying press; their passions have been too long warped and inflamed by gross falsehoods and misrepresentations, to permit them to take a candid view of the state of our claims, and decide with equity and impartiality on the merits of our case. From this general proposition must be excepted those honest and virtuous characters who have openly proclaimed themselves the opponents of an intolerant system, and whose unbiassed advocacy of the innocuous and reasonable demands of their catholic brethren, entitles them to the warmest gratitude of every true friend to civil and religious liberty. Yes, notwithstanding the arrogant intolerance of the people of England has rendered them the scorn and disgust of foreign nations, the patriotic conduct of a Donoughmore, a Grey, a Grenville, a Harrowby, a Holland, a Parnell, a Mathew, a Bennett, &c. &c. still sheds a lustre on our national character, and contributes to sustain that love of true freedom for which England and Ireland were each renowned, when under the sway of catholic sovereigns and parliaments. And here let me pay a tribute to the vir

Y

tues aud exertions of a protestant | subjects who dissent from the esta

divine, of whom we may say, with Horace,

"Quando ullum inveniemus parem ?" To a BATHURST, the gratitude of catholics is pre-eminently due.-Never was the attribute of a christian prelate more gloriously displayed then when the bishop of Norwich rose, on the occasion alluded to, in the fullest attendance of his brethren in the senate, to vindicate the cause of his injured fellow-christians, whose hopes they were met to crush, and exhibit to his bigotted countrymen, that one mitred member of the establishment had the heroic courage to plead in his place for civil and religious toleration. Yes, BATHURST, in future ages, when the names of thy contemporaries shall be sunk in oblivion, thine will be pronounced with veneration by our children's children, and thy memory hailed with rapture, as the true philanthropist and liberal divine. But why, it may be asked, with such powerful advocates in our favour, why did the majorities against our claims increase in the present instance? The solution is easily given. In no instance has the efforts of the opponents of our claims been more actively more successfully employed than in the six weeks preceding the late discussion of our petitions, a detail of which, together with the proceedings of the enlightened members of our body, I shall now lay before the reader, who will then be able to judge whether the conduct adopted by either has been marked with the characteristics of honour and integrity.

[ocr errors]

blished church, is incontestibly proved, by the shameful and dishonourable practices which the conspirators have had recourse to, by means of the press, to deceive and inflame the public mind on this important question. These practices were strongly reprobated by lord Donoughmore, in his opening speech on the 16th instant, and were declared by him to be such as "6 might make the hair of any liberal man stand on end." The first developement of this foul plot occurred about the middle of March, when several epistles appeared in The Times daily paper, signed LUTHER," ," which were followed by the insertion of a pretended bull of the present pope against the biblesocieties, the spuriousness of which I shall clearly establish by and by. Soon after this bull had been published in nearly all the London and provincial papers, placards were stuck upon the walls of the metropolis, and, no doubt, in other parts of the kingdom, announcing the speedy issuing of a cheap publication to be called "The Protestant's Warning," &c. the first number of which is now before me, and is sold at one-penny each copy, or six shillings and six-pence per hundred.On the first page of this valuable "No-popery" scarecrow is a woodcut, purporting to represent the torturing of one of John Fox's pious martyrs, previous to his execution, by putting his bare feet upon hot burning coals, to make him deny his faith. This is stated to have taken place by the order of archbishop Warham and bishop Fisher, between That a bigotted conspiracy exists Low Sunday and Whit Sunday, but among the leading members of the in what year is not mentioned. bible-societies, to frustrate the en- this delightful picture, which I dare deavours of the real friends to civil say has caused many an old conven and religious liberty, to allay the ticler to faint, and terrified an equal discontents of the Irish and English number of bible-lisping babes into catholics, by placing them on an fits, at the bloody doings of the equality with the rest of their fellow-wicked papists, is the representation

.or

In

« PreviousContinue »