Activate Javascript or update your browser for the full Digital Library experience.
Previous Page
–
Next Page
OCR
‘
186
ita clergy, though, perhaps, not so high born as the present race,
yet, who would fundertake the duties with the same pure and sa-
ered motives, and discharge them with the same conecicntions
zeal which regulate the conduct of our clergy. (Chee!
not wish to pull down the Established Church, I say "that they
Sibel the church, who say, that tithes are essential to its subsis-
tence; that itis bullt on the mercenary foundation of base lu-
ere. We have ourselves an instance of a clureh which main-
tains its bishops—aye, aud its archbishops, and which flourishes
without the aid of tithes. + I confess I have a particular and an
uncontrelable hatred of the tithe system, My detestation of it
is enhanced and confirmed by the’ experience 1 that I have had
occasion to require of it in investigations of its effects:in de-
fence of my tenantry—I have tound its pestiferous influence
* follow the peasant’s plough; it,went before the harvest team, it
returned with him into his cottage, and, like a foul and hideous
harpy, it sullied what it did not consume. (Tumultuous cheers.)
‘There is, gentlemen, another reason that we should petition ge-
perally, and without circumlocution, but demand inexpress and
fisting’ terms the abolition of tithes. It is that it has been an-
nounced from high authority that the dread of losing the loaves
aud fishes is the main obstacle to our emancipation, -(Hear,
hear) Well, letus say te them, you have pointed out to us the
road to pull down that obstacle,: and we will avail ourselves of
your communication. (Cheers.) Let every petition that goes
from us incessantly and impressively pray the Legislature to
le otherwise for the Established Clergy. Since the last
_ aggregate meeting of any extent in paint of numbers was held
in this Chapel, a most tinconstitational A ct has been introduced,
and { am sorry to say, has passed both Houses of Parliament.
_ (Heat, from Mr. 0" Connell. ) Itis our duty to obey that Sta-
dute, as T hope we ever shall obey any law that may be enacted
against us; but I grieve that those who originated that abomi,
nable measure have inflicted a wound on the Constitution, thro’
our side, for they cannot rest where they are—they must either
«repeal the Act which put down the “Association, or ga on till
they re-enact the whole Penal Code. They must forbid the com-
mon intercources of life—tihey must say, yon shall not assemble
any more—they must even prohibit two or three gentlemen from
meeting to dine together—they must deprive us of every situa-
Yion in which we can give Vent to our feelings—and I trust that
there is no possible manner in which it can be done, that we
“shall neglect to give them vent. (Cheers.) .This Act, however,
has not been unproductive of benefit to us. It has been the
Source of that union which now, for the first time for thirty
ears. exists amongst us. | hail it with delight as the signal of
@.new era inour history. We are well su ted in our strug-
gle. In our county we have one woly upright and independent
iuember—~(grent cheering )—one wh given us not only his
s pport, but kis strenuous and watchful resistance to that most
unjust and oppressive measure. (Che ers.) I would we could
boast of two such members, but thatis reserved for another time.
1 shall now trespass on the patience of the meeting with on
more observation, suggested by a motive partly. personal
(Hear, hear.) Althor ugh. the Catholic Committee > of twenty-one,
_ appointed by a late aggregate meeting in Dublin, did me the
honour to place me among their members, it was unfortunately
out of my power to atiend their deliberations, and my name
consequently not baving appeared affixed to their report, it
might possibly be thought that I did not approve of the course
ymirsued, aud the measures recommended by them. : I therefore
take this public opportunity of declaring that I do, with all my
“soul, concur in recommending the ineasures suggested by. the
“Committee of twenty-one, ai and ado opted by the last aggregate
“meeting—(loud cheers) and with that impression, I have the ho-
nour to move, that this meeting declare their determination fe
adopt the principles of the new Association, being convine
that it is not at variance with the late law, and thatit is exenl
ted to be emincatly serviceable to the country.—(A shout of
qoplause. barst from all parts of the Chapel, at the a of, Mr.
mbert’s admirable speee!
"Honey Thompson Redmond, Esq. eeconded Mr. Lambert's
motion, which was carried unanimously.
Just at this noment Mr, Shiel entered the building, « and was
received with the most warm expressions of satisfactio:
Mr ‘Talbot moved the thanks of the meeting to the « support-
Jers of the Catholic claims, in both Houses of Parliament.
Mr. Nicholas Redmond having seconded this resolution it was
cearried unanimously.
A vote of thanks to the Catholic Deputation was moved by
__ Mr. Frisell, seconded by Mr. John Devereux.
Mr. Devereux, of Carrickmanon, begged to address a few
“words to the meeting, before this resolution should be agreed
to, in order to show, ‘that altho ough he assented to the vote of
thanks then, he was consistent enough in opposing a ‘similar
motes as atoast at the late dinner. His resent concurrence in
tion, was occasioned b an an exp lanation given in the com-
“pittee onthe day be: and was ia consequence of a statement
“then made, that the test “vesolution entered into by the Deputa-
tion was, that they wi express no opinion with regard to the
‘wings, but, would Jeave these measures entirely in the hands of
their friends in Parliament. Until this explanation was afford-
ed, it had been thought that a vote of thanks to the Deputation
would imply an approval of the wings, and as he could not lend
his countenance to those measures, he did, on that ground alone,
oppose the toast, but he could not now bave any objection to
give the vote bis most cordial and warm support. Indeed, none
enuld go farther than he would be disposed to do, for the pur-
se of testifying his regard and respect for the gentlemen who
composed that itlustrious body ; and with that view he gave the
motion bis entire assent.
The vote of thanks to the Deputation was then Passed.
Br. Devereux resumed—The singular honour, he said, had
~ been conferred upon him by the Committee, of being appointed
to move the next resolution. He felt it peculiarly unfortunate
that he did not possess the talents necessary to do justice to the
resolution, or of the distinguished individual to whom it related.
{ndeed, he was conscious that any talents would be inadequate
todo justice to that gentleman’s merits. It was his pleasing
ity to move ile thanks of the meeting to Daniel O’Connell—
g
Che Ernth Teller.
tion to the sacred cause in which he had embarked, and if he
was at this moment at the head of his profession, it was in de-
spite of those who had been at the head of it; his success was
owing entirely and exclusively to his own transcendant talents.
It was sufficient to observe, that the elevated station which the
‘atholics now occupied, and the progress they had made to-
wards the attainment of their rights, were due to the w'sdom
and the energy of the Catholic Association, and that that Asso-
ciation owed its birth existence: t O'Connell.
(Cheers.) If the Catholic cause had gained ground in the esti-
mation and the good wishes of every liberal mag in England—
if every man, who was free to express an independent opinion,
was decidedly in its favour—ali this was owing to Mr, O’Con-
nell. .In fact, there were but two bodies now remaining op-
posed to the Catholi¢ claims. One consisted of those worthy
creatures, who had been so well'depicted by his esteemed friend,
r. Lambert, who were so anxious for the saving of souls; and
the other. of those who were equally intent upon preserving the
church property. The sole obstacles to emancipation arose from
the maneuvres of the evangelicals and the parsons, and if the
Catholics could overcome these, -their liberty’ must ‘ensue.
ese two bodies were unceasing iv their observance of their
original princ! ‘iple, opposition to the Catholie claims. From the
very institution of the Kildare-place Society, it was framed on
no other principle; by their insidious persecutions they raised
landlord against tenant, and master against servant. Daniel
O'Connell opposed them at the very outset, and met them on
their own ground, where all their forces were assembled, and
the arguments he- used against them vere undeniable, and to
the present day remain w Q Me Devereux was here
interrupted bya burst ‘of appiat jaws in the appearance of
Mr. Casar Colcloughy and Mr. Goat ‘Banna a.) Mr. Deve-
rux again read t! e resolution, i in which, he was convinced, none
would more fally concur than the distinguished gentlenien who
had just entered.
The resolution, having been seconded by Mr. Tatbot, Passed |
unapimonsly.
A vote of thanks to Richard Shiel, Esq., for his unceasing
and valuable exertions in the Catholic cause, was passed on the
motion of Mr. Talbot, seconded by Mr. Lambert.
Just at this moment, a person amongst the crowd announced
that Mr. O’Connell’s presence was required in Court. Mr.
O'Connell was accordingly compelled to quit the meeting.
Mr. Shiel now rose amidst the most deafening and enthusi-
astic applause, and said thank you, and turn at once toa bet-
ter theme than my own gratitude, of which it is unnecessary
that you should be assured. ‘Ther stands, near the walls o:
your city, a massive hold which retains the name of the practi-
cal chieftain by whom it was erected, and is still called Fitz-
Steph ‘ower. It was the first fort raised hy the English in-
vaders tipon their original descent on our shores. Situate at the
ig the passage | of the
vested with many melancholy eet and im;
solemnity of the soene, what call a political picturesque.
(Hear, hear. m the loss Ort that tower memo; ta
a long and dismal 1 retrospect Who can behold it without recall.
ing the period of shame and of sorrow, when that monument o:
the disasters and the degradation of Ireland was first erected
npon its precipitous and gloomy height. Since the warder first
paced its summit, and the beacon of invasion was first lighted
onits battlements, centuries have passed away. Years shave
flowed hy like the wafers which it overshadows, and yet it is not
changed. It stands as firm asif it were the work of yesterday
& as it was the first product of English domination, so is its type.
(Hear, hear, hear.) The policy “of England is as unaltered as
that barbarous hold, and the Norman Baron who raised is on
that rock did not lift a more oppressive arm than the monster
who sways thisill-fated land with an iron rule. The spirit of
Strongbow lives in the heart of Liverpool; and the guantlet of
Fitz-Stephen was not more heavy than the hand o! f Pecl. (Loud
chevrs.) The system by which England obtained her conquest is
undecayed. Discord is still the great canon of empire. ( Che
‘The distinction of country has been succeeded by the ‘listing:
tion of creed. Religion is made a substitute for natiohality, and
the statesmen of St. Stephen’ 's Chapel act up to the principles
f Fitz-Stephen’s tower. ; Lond cheers.) If there be thase who
have had a peculiarly fatal experience of the truth of these re-
lections, they are to be found among the inhabitants of this un-
fortunate district. Wexford is surrounded by the memorials of
events which cost the blood of many, and the tears of al wine
battles of a brief but formidable insurrection were waged up
the hills that overhang your city. (Cheers.) But it is not ne-
cessary to pass its gates, in order to impress upon you the les-
son which should be derived from these appalling recollections.
Who can behold your streets—who can look upou-the waters of
your river—who can look upon the bridge, to which 50 many
dreadful associations are attached, without a feeling of dismay?
I would to heaven, that the fabric on which such misdeeds were
done were swept into the ocean, and that not a single memorial
of that terrible and guilty day should be permitted to remain.
Strange that it should continue so long! The architect did not
calculate upon the possibility of its permanance. It is
years since the shriek of warfare was drowned in the dashing of
the waters that beat against it; it seems as if every tide would
wash it away, yet there its mouldering beams remain, and it
stands the monument of a terrific and admonitory incident. Al-
mighty God! what a dey inust that have been, when in the in-
sanity of revenge, mad with accumulated wrongs, and, in the
ferocity of political retaliation, the infuriated peasantry preci-\
Pitated themselves upon the unarmed and defenceless wretches,
who sereamed in vain for mercy, and dyed the waters with their
blood. Ido not dwell upon these appalling events wich a san-
guinary predilection, Jt is not iv the waatonness of declama-
tion that I revert to these painfal recollections; neither i is it for
the purpose of visiting these crimes upon the heads of those men
who goaded the people into savageness, and made them feroci-
ons, desperate, and mad. I shall not tell you that it was proved
before the Committee of the House of Commons, that these bar-
barous excesses were produced by-the tortures which preceded
them, Itis not necessary to strike a balance of atrocity—and | a
if I have reverted to these events, it is for no other purpose than
to impress upon you the imperative and awful need oe straining
every effort for the pacification of your cow intry, and for the ae-
complishment of that measure, without which Toe cannot be
pacified, and which will afford the best tsccurity that these scenes
of disaster never may return, Thos not times for for sophisi
cation and equiveque. Sooner or lates the popular passions
will again boil up, and the volcanic matter will once more finda
arts ‘to > the
g
38
vent. "You, oter whom the lava, that is yet searcely cool, rolled
down, watch the smoke of the crater, and remewber that ano-
VOL. T.
ther eruption may take place. This is not the ebullition of a
mind fermenting With bad and foul emotions—none but the ut-
terly desperate cau desire a convulsion, which would be in all
likelihood as unavailing as it would be bloody... But how deep-
ly would it steep Ireland i in tears. It should be remembered, that
that which we may deprecate, we may not be able to avert.—
The office of prevention lies with the ministry, whose leaders in
the House of Commons has lately told them, that the enemies of
England had fixed their hopes upon this discontented. country.
(Loud cheers.) That intimation to which E have done no more
than givera distinct expression -contaias .a warning. in which
every subject of this land is equally concerned, Procestants of
Ireland—the cause is yomr's as much as it is our own. ou
cheers.) Do not console yourselves ‘with the mean and ya
hope that these events cannot happen before you have descend-
ed into the earth. The interest of your children is at Stake, and
the time may come (God grant that it may never arrive!) when.
your sons shall be slaughter _ your thresholds, and your
| daughters may scream for pon their fathers’ graves.
Mr, Sheil pursued the train of reflection with much empha-
sis and visible effect, and concluded by calling on Mr. Cesar
Colclough in the most energetic terms to present. himself asa
Candidate for the County: He trusted that his appeal would
not be, vain; and if there existed any reason to prevent Mr.
Colclough from obeying the call of his country, let Acther Chi-
chester come forward, and the independent people of Wexford
would support him to a man. 8 were renewed with
unabated fervour at the close of Mr Sheil's speech, °
Mr. Richard Devereux moved a resolution, thanking the
Protestant Peers who signed the declaration at. Buckingham
House, and parporting that the meeting would act upon the
Principles reconumended by them—namely, temperance, firm-
s, and union
“This resolution was seconded by Mr. ‘Thomas Brenan, and
carried unani:
Mr Laurence, "Fenonde White professed his unwillingness
0 obtrude himself upon the meeting, after the brilliant effu-
sions of eloquence which. they had heard; but the committee
had armed him with a resolution which he felt high honour and
satisfaction in proposing. lt was a vote of thanks to Robert
Shapland Carew, q-, who for thirteen years had been the
tried friend of the jindependence of W. exford.. He had never
given a vote for family purposes, or to forward his own interest
or ambition. - He supported the Catholic question in all its
bearings, and-was in every respect worthy the warmest ace
knowledgments at the hands of his countrymen,
Mr. Redmond seconded this resolution.
The chairman expressed the gratification he felt in’ putting
the motion from the chair, and exhorted the meeting to testify,
by their cheers, their approbation of the resolution, and their
wish that Mr. Carew s hould long continue their upright and
independent Representative.
e meeting complied with this injunction with alacrit:
ie Henry Redmod moved a vote of thanks to the Provestane
Gentlemen who had honoured the meeting with their presence,
prefacing his motion with some remarks in allusion to. the late:
gratifying conversion in the House of Commons, and expressing’
a hope that that was not the only conversion that. would be
brought about by ve Plendid talents of that great luminary of
Catholicity, Dr. Doyle.
This Resolution wes seconded by, Mr. Patrick W. Redmond,
and passed.
Mr. Czsar Colclough now rose and said, Mr. Chairman ané
Gentlemen, it was not my intention to have addressed a word
‘o this most numerous and respectable assembly, but L have
found myself called upon, ina vein of eloquence, by which my
eelings were sensibly touched, and I am unable to resist offering
a few words in reply to this call that has been made upon me,
and to explain my motives for not coming forward in the man,
ner required, and at the same time to lay before you my poritical
‘eed. Tn doing so, I must beg of you to be assured, that ni
one word falls from my lips, that does not proceed directly frou
wy soul, (Hear, hear; hear.) When I returned to. this coun-
try, after a long absence from it, it was long before I could be
induced to comply with the solicitations of my friends, and. to
become an actor in the political scene, Ihave no taste for
litics, I have no talent for politics, | bave no bealth for politics.
—Retirement has been the field of my vegetation, and: those
parsuits in which demonstration takes the place of investigation,
my study. My occupation of natural history, cannot be suppos-
ed t me for pursuits, in which demonstgation i is out of
the (esti, Thaye never desired to obtrude m my sentiments
on others, my only object bas heen to form my own opinion,
as wel as I can. When I returned from a prison in F rence
it was said to me, we yoted for you whet you were imiunu
ina 2 foreign dungeon, and when thei
2
2
3
3
5
8
&
2
é
§
=%
2.
5
ag
2
=
£8
=
<
5
5
&
g
B
=
3
z
z
argument, and 1do not pretend to more firmness than other
men. I was called upon. again, and my holding back was
attributed to avarice. This wss a reproach which could: be~
easily got over. Next it was said to me, your brother was
meeting a similar pte
men, I acknowledge T had not firmness, Thad. not
anity to resist this.” (Cheers.) 1 even appealed to the “aie
and asked them would they marry, a christian—No,, the;
unanimously declared they would never marry a christian—
(Laughter and applause)—a man who would not fight where
his honour was implicated. [ have said that I have neithe®
am apprehensive, nay, I am sure, that you can never
question without the concurrence and co-operation of the Eng~
lish. Our weight in the seale of influence in the country is 20°
thing; but every great body in the empire is with us, with the:
exception, indeed, of that elrious body, the Bench of Bishops"
i the Universities. Gentlemen, I have beeu bred in a more
civilized country. “Let me not be supposed to wish to-cast any
reflection upon my awn country, for her comparatively want
civilization. It is not her fault, it is the fault of those who have
pisgoverned her. Scarcely twenty-four hours after [ set ™Y
foot on English ground, on my return home, I met 2 gente
man, who has since attained a seat on the Bench. ! ;
said to me, “I am et a cannot live.” (Cheers:
yo
While I make these allusions, fooeren T hope the trial will 9 re
be made with regard to fre’ land. Gentlemen, I have been c#
upon to seek the representation of your county. How co