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VOL, IT.
IRELAND... :
MUNSTER CATHOLIC PROVINCIAL DINNER,
aor _ Waterford, 30th Sept. 1826,
A dinner was given yesterday to the friends of civil and reli-
gious liberty, by the Roman Catholics of the province. Among
the distinguished Protestant guests were, the Earl Fitzwilliam,
Lord Ebrington, Sir John Newport, Sir Wm, Homan, Captain
Stourton, Messrs, Carew, M. P. for Wexford, Cuthbert, Perrott,
and Mr, Robinson of the English Bar, The company consisted
‘of more than 300 Catholics, including Sir Thos, Esmonde, and
, all the gentlemen of consideration in that part of the south of
ireland. . Oe ee
‘Mri John O'Brien, of the county of Clare, was called to the
ehai itzwiliam was placed on his right, and Lord
Ebrington on his left. Mr. John O’ Connell, brother to the Bar-
rister, acted as Vice-President, and was afterwards called to the
chair, when vacated by Mr. O’Brien. The Gallery was filled
with ladies of the city and county.. Among the most distin-
guished, was the young and beautiful Mrs. Thomas Wyse, a
daughter of Lucien Bonaparte, ,
The following are selections from the speeches :—
+ The Chairman, on proposing the first toast, of “ The King,”
said—To the first toast, which [ have the honour to propose,
can anticipate but one reception. The people of this country
have been at all times—often fatally for themselves—distin-
guished by the strength and devotion of their monarchical at-
tachments. With a chivalry of feeling unknown to the sister
country, they have, not unfrequeatly, transferred to the person
of the monarch, that allegiance, and those affections which more
~* justly belong to the discharge of his constitutional duties, But
' We should learn wisdom from the maturer example of England;
we should tempér our veneration for the monarch with a ration-
al respect for ourselves; we should recollect that the good of the
people is the fountain of his power, and that any privilege, in-
consistent with it, no matter how sanctioned by time, is n:
more opposed to our natural rights, than to the principles of the
British constitution. With these sentiments, I give you—“The
King; may he never forget the declaration of the Priace Re-
gent, that ‘power is held in trust for the people,’ ”
On proposing the second toast, the Chairman observed—
When high rank is illustrated by still nobler virtue—when per-
titude; it is therefore with pleasure I propose “ the health of the
Duke of Sussex, and the other liberal and enlightened branches
tof the Royal Family.” —(Cheers,) . .
The Chaifman, on giving the toast of “the People,” said—
among men seeking their rights upon principles emphatically
popular, the toast I have'to give, requires no preface to recom-
mend it— The People—the only legitimate source of power,”
With the toast of the Army and Navy, the Chairman said—
we have to hope that that anomaly may be soon removed’ from
* British legislation which bestows unlimited confidence upon the
Catholics in one department ef the state, and which deprives
chem of their just rights in one of more limited and more res-
pousidle influence, * The Army and Navy of the empire—may
‘the privileges they enjoy as soldiers be speedily extended to
them as citizens.” « .
"The Chairman next gave the health of the Marquis of Wel-
‘Tesley, and may his means be equal to his wisdom, accompanied
by the following observations :—“ The adininistration of the
Marquis Wellesley is well entitled to the recollection and grati-
tude of the Catholics of Ireland, If he has not done all that may
be wished, he pas done all that could be accomplished under
the imperfect laws he had to administer, and I am persuaded
that no honest or dispassionate miud witl impute to the indivi-
dual, what should be justly regarded as the essential vice of the
system, We have to hope that he wilt soon become emancipa-
ted froin that associated power of evil which now neutralizes the
tendencies of his enlightened character, and that he will be able
0 extend to his own country, the influence of those wise and
philosophic views which have already distinguished his adminis-
tration in another hemisphere. - I give you “the health of the
Marquis Wellesiey, Lord Lieutenant of Lreland—may his means
soon equal his wishes.”” ee ce
‘The Chairman now rose to give the health. of Earl Fitzwil-
liam.” tn doing so, he said, the toast which T have now to proy
pose, will, [ am confident, be received with your acclamations.
—(Cheers,) It cannot be necessary in this assembly, were
even competent to it, adequately t0 enlarge upon the virtues of
3.) ° As Irishmen and as Catholics
‘. we are grateful to him.—(Cheers.) He has given to our cause
* ghe sanctivn of his high station, aud of the untainted purity of
shis political life—unawed by the power of powers, unseduced
hy its blandishments, he receives his reward in the respect of
ue country, and the affectionate attachment of another,
_ Earl Fitzwilliam thea rose, and was reccived with loud cheers
for many minutes.” From the very low tone of yoice in which
he spoke, I had much difficulty in catching the connection of
~} his observations. He said that the toast having alluded to him,
* gud the period when he had ie honour to be the Chief Gover-
WEW=YORK, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1826,
ner of this country, he felt it necessary to give some explana-
tion of the part which he took in the system of politics in 1795,
It would be far from him to charge administration of England
in that day with having betrayed him on that occasion. It was
far from him to insinuate that he came to this country with
jowers to execute that which, once put iu progress, circum.
stances told him it was madness to. interrupt. Te knew, and
was well aware, that Catholic Emancipation was the great mea-
sure of salvation to the country; but he did not cone here un-
der such circumstances, with reference to that question, as were
then imagined. He did not wish to charge Mr. Pitt with ha-
ving any intention to degrade him; ‘but Mr. Pitt had measures
in contemplation which he (Earl F,) could not support, and he
therefore took offence at them. | He (Karl F,) took up the sub-
jeet of Emancipation, which had already been moved and sup-
ported in the Irish Parliament, It then became him either to
adopt that measure, or, by . relinquishing it, to abandon the
commission with which he was intrusted. . He became respon-
sible to the Government for having adopted a measure which,
in his conscience, he felt essential for the good and weal of the
country,—(Cheers.), It was not, as he stated, moved by bim,
jut by others, and in such a manner as gave him hopes that it
would have been carried into effect.—(Loud cheers.) Sur-
lounded as he was that day with so much wealth, opulence, and
talent, could he doubt that such a body of gentlemen were not
fit to be intrusted with an equal share in the Constitution with
safety to the State ?—(Cheers.) » And as to the lower orders,
who got but the power which ic was necessary for them to have,
could any reasonable jealousy be entertained of them? That
order he conceived had obtained the whole right of election,
and thereby they became the most powerful body, if one set
could be more powerful than another. «From the higher order
every thing was withheld that ought to have been granted, and
they were left completely in the lurch —(Cheers.) He knew and
felt that the whole previous system was one of violent corrup-
tiou, and that the true interest of the State was deserted for the
sake of that corrupt influence ;—that corruption was and is the
cause of the rejection of those claims which they so pertinently,
and as of right, therefore demanded... ‘The Noble Ear! then
referred to the institution of the College of Maynooth—a mea-
sure which he said, was promoted by him, but suggested by
Mr. Burke. He had since no reason to regret the consequen-
ces of that measure which gave to Ireland, not a French, ora
Spanish, or Italian, but a respectable and a national Priest-
hood.—(Cheers.) . He coujd not, in conclusion, do better than
wish that such of his countrymen who came to that great town,
and saw the mass of wealth and intelligence of the Catholics
there assembled, would join him in regretting that sucha body
of men were by asystem of unequal laws restrained froma
fuli participation in the blessings of the Constitution.—(Great
cheers, . .
Lord Dancannon’s eldest son apologised for his father’s ab-
sence, and returned thanks on , his behalf; when the toast of
“ Prosperity to the House of Ponsonby,” was given,
. The chairman then gave, with a suitable compliment, “ the
health of their distinguished guest, Lord Ebrington, in connee-
tion with the Whigs of England.”
Lord Ebrington—I wish, Gentlemen, it were possible for me
to express in adequate terms my exceeding gratitude for the
manner in which you have done me the honour to receive my
health.—(Cheers.) That gratitude is enhanced by connecting
my name with that party with which I have been sv long associ-
ated, in zealous co-operation to forward the great measure for
the attainment of which you are now assembled.—(Cheers.)
It came illustrated by the talents of the great and mighty dead,
whose name J see emblazoned about me, and by two of- their
venerable surviving colleagues (Earl Fitzwilliam and Sir Jobn
Newport,) whose presence amongst us to-day confers addition-
al dignity on our proceedings-—(Cheers.) Gentlemen, a man
siasm being excited; and however inadequately I may express
myself, } assure youl deeply and sincerely. participate in the
feelings which this occasion shall cal forth, 1 see your wealth,
influence, and unanimity, and no man can more truly rejoice at
the victory you have recently gained.—(Cheers.) i may say
that a victory gained by Catholics over Protestants, or by Pro-
testants over Catholics, ought to be no triumph to either party,
But because your victory has been atriumph of liberty over in-
tolerance—of right over the baneful ascendancy which has so
long controlled this country—which recalled Lord Fitzwilliam,
and palsied the administration of Lord Wellesley.” 1 Fejoice
and sympathise in your trtamph.—(Great cheers, and cries of
down with the Beresfords.). Gentlemen, I feel that I. caunot
better express my sense of your attention than my proposing
the health of the gentleman who has presided over this reeling
with so much dignity and propriety.—( Cheers.)
Mr, O’Brien returned thanks, and suid, Tbeg leave td express
wy high sense of the honour you confer on me, as also of the
station which has entitled me to it.—(Cheers,) Yet allow me
to add, thatif it could be regarded asa personal honour for po- | sec
litical distinction, 1 am fully aware that the present opportunity
of addressing you courd not possibly be afforded me
feeldhat it cannot be so interpreted... Allow me to congratulate
_NO,48. 0.
this assembly on the truly provincial character of its meeting, >“
It demonstrates to the British Government, and to the Cnglisi |.
people, that the wrongs of Ireland are not exclusively felt by a? . *
few eminent and distinguished men, but that the Catholic Gen-
try from all quarters fully partake of those political sympathies
which sooner or later must achieve its independence.—(Cheers,} :
The chairman then gave the health of “Sir John Newport, «
and our advocates and friends in the House of Commons.”
SirJohn Newport. rose, amid great applause, and said, I. |,
asstire you Gentlemen, 1 have been long accustomed to these. tay
marks of your approbation, that I should be the most insensi-.
ble man in the world if I did not feel most deeply indebted for
your kindness.—(Cheers.) During the period that your sut- .
frages have intrusted me with the interests of the country—for
T imagined that you not only have given me in charge the inter-
ests of the city; but of the people of .Ireland—I have acted ho-
nestly and conscientiously for you.—(Cheers.) 1am now grown *
old in yourservice, andit is almost timethat 1 should give up.
(Cheers, and No, no.) I have always felt that there cotld be -
no security to the empire without a union of all classes of the -»
people, In Parliament and out of Parliament 1 have always. ~
entertained the same sentiments, and I never shall relinquish,
them to the last day of my life-—(Cheers.)_ [have had twice
in my life the opportunity of carry a Bill for your practical re~ oe
lief tothe bar of the House of Lords.. It was but a partial-
relief, and I never could look uponit as an ultimate or perfect ® ra
measure, _ Thirty-one years have elapsed since this city decla~ + ‘
red the necessity of these principles being carried into effect to
insure the salvation of the country, and that the departure of
Lord FitzWilliam from Ireland was a vational misfortune. Has
it not been so ?—(Yes.) i vy
mancipation had been
granted, when your friend Grattan pressed it forward,’ yous” ,
would have been all this time free, and the nnited cause of Ire."
land would have been strong.—(Cheers.) ; In no other manner,
I say it, can she acquire stability. I trust at last you will be +
free; and I nowdeclare that [ never will cease until | carry for
the third time, and I hope the last, your cause successfully te
the House of Lords.—(Great cheering.) \ , . Tot
‘The chairman, in proposing the health of the County Mem=
bers, Messrs, Power and Stewart, said that he regretted he had.
no words to give expression to his own feelings or to do justice» — ,
to-them.(Cheers.j The toast came recommended by every: ve
proud recollection and brilliant. association. The electors of
Waterford had entitled themselves to the gratitude of the coun-: 2 *
try, not more by the example they had set than by the repre-\. ,
sentatives they had chosen.—(Cheers.) And, in’ vindicating:
the independence ef their county; they had well provided for
the best interests of their country.—(Cheers.) ‘
Sir Wm. Homan, on the part. of Mr. Stewart, returned,
hanks, and begged leave to propose another best friend in the:
late election, “the health to the Right Rev. Dr. Kelly, the Ro~
man Catholic Bishop of the Diocese.""—(Cheers. .
The Rev, Mr. Sheehan seturned thanks on behalf of his Bish-
op.—tam extremely grateful for this mark of your esteem fore
my respected and Rev, Bishop.—(Cheers.) And I doubly aps
preciate the compliment, because yon have associated him and” +
his Clergy with the sacred rights of conscience.—(Cheers. >
The Bishop and his Clergy of this Diocese, did undoubtedly < ¢
exert themselves at the late elections, and they appeal to the ‘
principles, which upon that occasion regulated their conduct as:
the most triumphantarefutation of those calumniators who cane ,
stantly exhibit them as the abettors and supporters of slavish
doctrines.—(Cheers.) They carried into effeet one of the fun~
damental tenets of the reformation, by contributing their aid.
to eject from the representation of this great county a Protes- .
tant Nobleman, who would visit with penal enactments the
conscientious adhrence to that faith which to us seems the tru ,
est and the best,—(Cheers,) “It is a calumny of the grossest . »
Kind to say that the Catholic Church warrants the infliction of
any civil penalty whatever, on the score of religious opivion.—
(Cheers.) Doing so, would be contradicting the example of
our Divine Redeemer, who told Peter, after he cut off the ear
of the servant of the then Priest Malchus, to put his swor@ °
into his scabbard, for said he, “if it were necessary”—that is,
if any religion were to be propagated by such means—“I could
have several legions from my Father.""—(Great cheers.) When:
such then are the principles upon which the measures of civit
government should be regulated, no one can express astonish-
ment that the Bishop and Roman Catholic Clergymen of this
great county should have exerted themselves with vigour to des.
troy the ascendancy of a family, according to whose political_
creed, not merit but accommodation to certain peculiar tenets,
whol}y unconnected with the well-being of the state, should
constitufe the only proper claim to eminence and distinction,
We did exert ourselves, and thank Cod, we succgeded.— ~
(Gheers.) Would to heaven, that five and thirty years before
the same victory had been achieved for them; the power of that
faction would have been broken down at the period when our
venerable guest came amongst us, and those wise and beneyo- ,
lent intentions with which his heart was animated would hare”
used peace and concord to the inhabitants of this country,
and security to the Empire at large (Cheers.) " Lam not requix «
ring from Protestant England what I mysclf would not be in~.° ~
clined to give, were the Roman Catholics to Change copditions-¢
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