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-- NEW-YORK, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1825. -
wtb bas . ‘ERELAND. 0)
: i “shitter Catholic Mecting.
uA
+1 held on Wednesday thé 4th of Aug: at the principal Chapel in
that city. It was rendered remarkable by the attendance of
the principal members of the Grand Jury, and the High Sher-
if of the county. Lord’ Clifden requested Mr. Finn to state,
“that nothing bat indisposition prevented his attendance. , Lord
_ Darnley, who js ona visit at Mr. Tighe's, at Woodstock, accom-
panied that gentlenian, Major Bryan was called to the chair.
Mr, Costello was requested to act as Secretary to, the Meeting,
anda vote of thanks was moved to that gentleman for his zeal,
. diligence, and ability in the discharge of his official duties.
, Mr: Coster1o returned thanks in a short specch, replete with
” ‘sound observation and just sentiment, | It was loudly applaud-
ed by his fellow-citizens. -; He remarked that the Catholic cause
involved the interests and touched the feelings 6f every member
of the communitys _ That man who was indifferent to thé degra-
Gation of his country, was destitute of the ordinary instincts
of human nature, and was in heart a slave. “He claimed
other merit, than that of having contributed his honest eZorts
to the promotion of the general good. The approbation of his
fellow citizens was the only reward to which he ‘aspired, and
the kindness with which his namé had. béen received, afforded
evidence that he bad not failed in obtaining that remuneration:
He congratulated the meeting pon the presence of so many
of the Protestant aristoeracy of the county, which furnished a
noble proof of the progress of liberal opinious. “ Mrv Costello,
updn sitting down was loudly chéered. ~..°" By .
Ton. P. 8, Butter, moved the next, Resolution, to the
following effeet— oes ee ee
Resolved,—That the exasperating exclusion of sevea millions
- of British subjects, from the rights and privileges of te Con-
stitution, generates passions which arrest the progress of na-
tional improvement, impede the education of the people, pre-
vent the diffusion of British capital, deteriorate the value of
property and render its title insecure; offer an aliurement to
thé evemies of Great Britain and endanger the stability of. the
empires SO . - + Phe
Mr, Sneit seconded the resolution and said—“ Niphon is the
largest of the istands of Japan; Nimo is of inferior magnitude.
If a traveller were to tell iis—(the case is an imaginery one,
fut Eehall be indulged in putting it)=+that seven millions of
ihe inhabitants of Ximo were deprived by the legislators, of
Niphon of the rights of citizens) because they believed in a re-
higion more studded with mystery than the established erced of
the larger island—if he told us that one-seventh of the popula-
; tion of Ximo, who professed ‘the idolatry by Jaw established,
enjoyed all the honours and einoluments of the State—that
their Bonzes possessed one million of acres—that they dwelt in
palaces and rolied in gilded chariots—that they were support-
ed with one tenth of the produce of public labour—that their
empty Pagodas were built at the expense of those who rejecte
their worship—that the Japanese vestries excluded the infidel
niany from all share in the ecclesiastical taxation—that deep
and indignant feelings were generated by this monopoly in the
* seven millions of Ximoites—that the heir to the empire of Ja
pan had declared an implacable hostility to these degraded mil-
lions; if he were, besides, to tell us, at the cabinet of China,
Who were anxious to lower the pride of Japan, had turned their
eyes to Ximo, and bad calculated upon their co-operation in
fase a war should ensueif he were to say that, notwithstand-
ing the danger arising from the disafvction of the Ximoites, the
Jegislators of Japan still obstinately persevered in their system
w Eovernment for the sake of the fat und unwieldly Bouzes—
z Sir, a traveller weve to tell us this, should we not say that the
vovernment of Japan was excecdingly rash in offering outrage
‘0 80 large a portion of its subjects, und that it must be com-
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tt And if an Englislinan would smile at the prejudices
4 Constitutionalist Japan, might we not say—
———— Mutato nomine dete’
Fabula narratur ? .
; :
yn sttange infatuation which presides over the councils of
“ngland, will hereafter excite astonishment, and posterity will
Wonder at a * .
of Eng the obdurate perseverance with which the legislators
eriff is attended by the Grand Jury.
ghar Hagee nee spirit of ‘the resolutions passed at Buck
rotestant beginning to pervade the great mass of the
i mounity. The ditference of this feeling is further
wt ve g a
eee the Protestant petition, which isin course of sig-
already attached. .
lief of
much bitterne:
other superi
weary of discord, and call forthe pacification of Ireland, ‘They
ar¢ deeply. sensible of the calamities produced by the disfran-
chisemeut of a whole people, and of which an epitome is ex-
pressed in the resolution which [ have risen to s2cond. It eon-
denses much political truth... The disqualification of seven mil-
lions of British citizens generates passions which arrest the pro-
gress of national improvement—prevent the co-operation of ihe
several classes df. the’ community .in promoting the national
‘ood—interfere with the education of the peopie—impede the
circulation of British capital—deteriorate the value of property,
and render its title insecure—offer an allarement to the enemics
of, Great-Britain—and endanger the security of the Empire.
(Cheers.) » Is not the progress of national improverient arrest
ed by the dissensions which have been engendered by the Penal
Code?;, The whole mind of Ireland is absorbed by this fatal
question. No other topic attracts the popular attention,“ Arts,
science, Jiterature, are all merged iv the disastrons interest at-
tending this question. It enjoys a'fatal monoply of the public
passions. »‘This is in ‘tself a great evil. Instead of co-operating
for the purpose of improving the moral ‘and physical coudition
of the poor—instead of devising the means of didusing better ha-
bits and a sounder morality among them, we direct the whole
energy of the country to the attainment of those’ civil rights,
which must precede every scheme for the general amelioration
of freland.” If emancipation, were passed, tlie Catholic and the
Protestant intellect would be ,combined—we should tnite toge-
er ina salutary co-operation for the national good.’ But at
preseut we are kept asunder by the law; and, differirg on this
great subject, by.a necessary consequence we cannot agree
upon any other, This political separation has greatly retarded
the progress of educations The law raises the distinction’ of sect;
and transfers it from religion to instruction. The spirit of party
finds its way, into the village school-room, and the fury of pro
selytism springs out of political. discord. . (Hear, hear.) In the
recent contests which attended the progress of Messrs. Noel
and Gordon through Ireland, the efiects of Catholic disquatifica-
ticn were conspicuous. I stood beside the former of those gen-
tlenien, at the second meeting in Cork, and perceiving that he
surveyed the great assembly before him, with astonishinent,and
that he wondered at the vehemence of the passions which were
displayed upon the question relating to the intellectual improve-
ment of the people, 1 veutared to suggest to him, that the emo-
tions which he witnessed had a political origin, and that indi-
yiduals, possessing an ; influence over the public mind, would
net interfere in matters connected wil igi i i
their political degradation did not
their sectarian predilections, .. He e i
presented to him, and he afterwards, at.a public: meeting in
England, had the imanliness and candour 19 declare his convic-
tion,. that the Penal Code Had produced ‘all the ferment, by
which his mission from the Bible Society had been accompanied.
(Loud cheers.) Ido not mean to enter hére into any considera+
suggest is; that the political disfranchisement of the Catholic are
rests the progress of public improvement, by. arraying the two
great bodies of the community into faction, and-extending their
political animosities to topics which are not naturally connected
with them, (Cheers.) The resolution which 1 have seconded,
roceeds to state that the circulation ‘of British capital is im+
peded by the dissensions-of the country: This is notoriously
true. (Hear, hear.) Irish securities fell with thé hopes of Jre-
heers.) Capitalists who were prepared to advance
enormous sums on mortgages of Irish estates, iminediately re-
ceded from their contract: British speculation turned away
from the country, when the dominion of discord was restored.
Where is the Englishman mad enough to vest his capital in a
country which stands npon the verge of convulsion? It is in
this view of as muchimportance to Protestants as to Catholics,
that freland should be pacified: The resolution states, that the
value of property is deterivrated, by the dissensions of Ireland.
Why should land in England se!l at forty years’ purchase, an
Ireland at less than twenty? Because the title to property is
insecure. This is the country of confiscation, and if political
commotion should take place, what man should stamp his foot
npon an atre of ground, and say, ‘ This is mine?” It is better
to speak at once, the plain and honesttruth. Mr, Carming has
lately said, that the foes of Great-Britain have fixed their hopes
upon ireland. Now, Lask this simple,’ but not seditious ques-
tion: If twenty thousand Frenchmen should land upon our
a
would—if it be barely possible—if there be a risk of an event so
terribleif there are those who belicve, that in a week one hun-
dred thousand men would start to arms—is it not actual frenzy
to keep the dational mind in such a state of frightful susceptibi-
lity, and to nurture the passions which miay give birth to sucha
tremendous resolt? (Loud cheers.) “ Lead tos not into tempta-
crgst you, and to which the names of eight Peers are
This wise and geherous anxiety for the re-
their Roman Catholic brethren is not confined to this
country. ; Among the lower orders of Protestants; it is true, that
s$ of feeling still continues. They who. have no
: ~ i cling with a natural tenacity to the preroga-
great Meeting of the Roman Catholics of Kilkestny was | tives of a Patrician creed: but the enlightened, the opulent, and
the noble; who rest their ascendancy upon a better title; are
€ an artificial intensity to fis. +
tion of the points which were then in dispute; all that I mean to |]
shores, what would be the result !. Would the populatiow'of Ire- (Cheer: Ml 8
nd unite with the invaders? . If Protestants think that they | in Dublin, of the Prelacy, the chief clergy, thé aristotracy; the
merchadts, and the professional members of out body. (eieers.) .
The third, and most important, is, the simultaneous asgembly of
the Erish people upon the same day, in their respective paristies
to petition for redress, (Loud cheers.) We shall require uh
eb-operation of the clergy, in order ta achieve thesé’great ew:
and éall upda him with a vehement reiteration to deliver us froin
this appaliisig evil. (Lotd cheers.) :I doubt not that England
foe; but as'defeat would be terrible, victory would be scarcely
Jess awl; the chariot of Conquest should roll over heaps of
mrassatre, and’ when trarquillity was restored, it would be soli-
tude indeed. These events may not take place until the pre-
sént generation Shall have passed away: But is’ not that ameéan
and a selfish consolation? » Does uot nature, ind the heart of
man, revolt against it? - May not the grates, in which we shail
lie low, be soaked with our childrén’s blood, and the knife of
murder, and the grasp of dishoriour, be laid on those to whorn
we lave given that life which should be incalculably more pre-
cious than 6ur own? (Loud cheers.) Mothers of Ireland, hear
this admonition, and clasp your children to your hearts, (Loud
cheers.) . I feel that { aia speaking’ in bold and impassioned
language, but that lung
less true. ( There isa risk—no one can question ii—there must
be, then, some sound reason for continuing to incur it. The ene-
reply, The Church must be supported. Suppose thnt the Church
were placed in jedpardy, (and I make the hypothesis for the
suké of argument,) TP put the matter thus—Throw the mitres of
80 bishops into one side of the scale; and in the other the liber-
ties of seven millions of people, and which should preponderate 7
(Loud ¢ is it for the sake of the Church that Ireland is
to femain distracted, ferocious, poor, ignorant, and oppressed 7
Is all this weight of national misery to be! sustained, in order
that some High Priest may continue to burlesque the Apostles—
that some ecclesiastical Parvenu mity continue to insult the peo-
ple with his contumelions epigrams—that he indy ‘shoot his poi-”
soucd antithesis through the golden vestment of Rome, and the
simple stirplice of. Geneva, and ‘set off.a religion without a
Church, against a Church without a religion? Is it that he ma
rebuke the Peers of England, as well as insult the Catholics of
Ireland} and that, dressed in a * brief authority,” and a purple
surtout, he uiuy continue to perform his sacerdotal antics, and
oe :
4. As make the abgels weep :
bun : “ : (Loud cheers.)
OF, is it that we may behold the’ “Castle of Indotence” turned
into trath, atid the voluptuous fancy of the poet embodied in w
living exemplification of— a veoh :
“A man *
». Who has a roguish twinkle in his eve .
Mad ton te hehe » (Loud laughter.)
2 Ifa tight lassie chance to trippen by, ~
'" And shines all over with ungodly dew,”
, Which, when observed, he sinks into his mew, .
“ And straight gins recollect his piety anew?) |. #
ee gS . » (Loud laughter.)
Tuhabitants of Ossory, is it for these glorious purposes that tha”
system is to be persévered in, whichis fravght with such fright-
ful nlischief, and teems with public woe? I do not mean to
qvarrel with the wealth of the Church." It is endrmous. It is
a bloated and dropsical mass# but itis to the votaries of Wes-
ley; and not of St. Peter, that the operation of tapping is re-
served. Whatever aversion I have to the Church arises from its
being raised as an obstacle to the liberties of my country. The
Attorney-General has justly remarked, that insttad of endan-
gering the Established Religion, and of the gorgeous institutions
by which it is attended, Roman Catholic Emancipation would
contribate greatly to its permanence. It is because it is now op-
posed as a barrier to concession that we regard it with hosti-
lity ; but if once it ceased to operate as an obstruction, we should
in all liketihood submitin a pathetic acquiescence to its abuses }
we should look upon it as @ state engine, and if it ceased 10
crush us, we Should not desire to interfere with its operations. or
to diminish the power of the vast machine. We should not be .
arrayed by individual iuterest against its influence, and what-
ever might be our abstract opinion respecting its’ general expe"
diency, we should not regard it; as we are now forced to do, as :
a means of personal wrong. I doubt not, indeed, that if the Ca-
tholic question was settled, individuals of our own body might be
found, who would be disposed to sipport, as an. Instrument of
political influence, what they ate now instigated by their sense
of personal influence to condemn. Buty Sir; T ant deviating
frém thé course that the resolution which 1 have secondeds
stiould suggest to me. Let me conclude by stating to you, with
somé ahruptness, what, pom another occasion, 1 shalitake an ~
opportunity to enforce. Three great measurés have of late
been proposed as expediertts by which Emancipation may be
advanced. The first is; @ census of the Catholi¢ people.
The second; a meeting for fourteen successive daya, ”
Vege
a
ie
ede
tion,” is the daily prayer which I would address to the Minister,
I have heard it said that they should
Why? Do not the parsogs meddie iu polities? Bo not the
hot meddis in politics.*
~ NO?25
ee
might suceced in crushing the foreigi invader, and the intestine |
guage from being intpassioned is not thé
maies of emancipation, they who wish toincur this dreadful chance,’
© Play such Fas tastic Tricks before high heaven, :
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