網頁圖片
PDF
ePub 版

ready to guard his dwelling with their lives against strangers; amidst them his person was as sacred as though it had been shrouded with the cloud of divinity; in every possible way they assisted him and his family; and, viewing me as part-and-parcel of their revered old friend, I was secure.-Proud I am that I inherit my father's feelings; and that, while truly loyal to the noble king who governs our great nation with love and mercy, I can disclaim all outcry against Catholics, and from the bottom of my soul wish they had equal rights.”

“In that,” replied I, “ my heart joins with ardour. Since I have been capable of thinking, I have lamented that a body of our brothers in spirit and honour, who have fought for the glory of England in her most signal battles-who have bled in defence of the house of Hanover-who have been punished for their loyalty to the former kings of Britain-who have pined under political deprivations, and groaned under the inflictions of a long supported Orange system, like the Roman Catholics of Ireland, should still have to pray for an equal participation in the privileges of that constitution, which their efforts and purses have essentially contributed

[graphic]

to support and preserve through the mighty struggle which has placed the last twenty years so high, that posterity will gaze upon them till the accumulation of time shall be no more. However, as a military man, were you not subject to peculiar odium? As a Protestant, were you not liable to general hatred ?"

"Believe me, there are no such feelings in the bosoms of Roman Catholics in general. A brave officer, or soldier, is sure of their respect and esteem; because they are brave and honourable men. Their hatred is solely directed against the landjobbing and tithe system. They bear no ill-will to Protestants merely on account of their being Protestants, but because they are supposed to countenance party, and identify themselves with Orangemen. The principles of christianity, which are common to all our sects, reprobate such narrow views. Let any man look into the ritual of the Romish church, and he will be convinced that its religion breathes love, good will, charity, and mercy to all denominations of men. No such slander attaches to the character of Roman Catholics: it belongs alone to the bigot; and in what religion is this class not found? Lives there a Protestant

who has not experienced repeated acts of kindness from Catholics? Breathes there a Catholic who does not remember, that, when bigotry and power armed the son against his father, and rendered the old man incapable of an interest in property for the solace and security of age, Protestants were found whose integrity was incorruptible-who held estates in trust for Catholics—and proved to the world that man, when stamped with benevolence and justice by his Creator, will spurn the acts of power, if inconsistent with principles of natural right ?”

"Bravo!" said I," dear Jack-You would be an honoured advocate, and an eloquent defender of Catholic rights. You would figure, I declare, with Counsellors O'Connell and Sheil, at the bar of the House of Commons, in opposing the bill, which will most assuredly be introduced to suppress the Catholic Association*."

This was written before the meeting of the present session of Parliament, in anticipation of what afterwards really happened. It subsequently made my heart leap with gladness to read a letter from the talented Mr. O'Connell, the last paragraph of which ran thus:

"I perceive a kind and generous feeling amongst the Irish Members, who hitherto opposed us violently. Believe me that they are worthier and better men than our passions allowed us to think. I

"Good! friend Charles," replied Jack, "I see you still love an innocent quiz. Without feeling any inclination to return your fire, I beg to say that I should not advocate the utility of the selfconstituted Parliament, to which you allude. Such unions might be useful in a free state, if intellect were equally distributed amongst men; but as the few must invariably direct the many, history proves that the very worst consequences result from associations of this nature. Here we have one that taxes

see the beginning of better days-of mutual oblivion of the past-of mutual affection, and real and permanent conciliation for the future. I hope I may say—

6 Erin, oh Erin, thy winter is past,

And the hope that lived through it

Shall blossom at last." "

This is the language of good sense and firmness. Would that Mr. O'Connell had been always as self-knowing and discreet! The leaders of the Catholic Association ought to have been moderate, temperate, and patient; proving themselves good generals, who press prudently to victory; not rashly to probable defeat and destruction.

The Bill, introduced by Sir Francis Burdett, for the relief of the Roman Catholics-a Bill from which much was expected by themselves and their friends having passed the House of Commons, was thrown out by the Peers, on the motion for its second reading, at the very time that this sheet was passing through the press. Under the circumstances of the case, perhaps it would be deemed injudicious were I to venture any comments on the subject.

the people, turns the priests into collectors of revenue, and the law officers of the courts of justice into public prosecutors-influences the jurors of the country by ex-parte statements, and inflammatory speeches-pronounces before trial-heaps up enormous sums for undefined purposes-beards the government-and touches the upsetting rock of sedition so closely, that escape is proclaimed victory, and shouted forth as an excitement to re-echoed applause. No; on the contrary I would vote for the suppression of such an association. As a firm friend to emancipation, I wish it; because I am convinced that it injures that cause-that it retards the march of public opinion-that it inflames prejudice, which was dying away under the wise discountenancing and extinguishing plan of the Marquis of Wellesley-and that in its practical effects it can lead only to self aggrandisement, to the advancement of individual ends, and finally to rebellion.Besides I know that the Catholic Association is unpopular even amongst the peasantry of the south."

"And I am prepared to prove," rejoined I, " tha it is looked upon with no very friendly eye by many

[graphic]
« 上一頁繼續 »