ORTHODOX JOURNAL, AND Catholic Monthly Intelligencer, For SEPTEMBER, 1815. VOL. III. No. 98. THE CATHOLIC QUESTION-CONDUCT or groundless; it is sufficient for me OF THE WHIGS. to of E now come to the last topic of to observe, that, in consequence of the defection of the late Mr. Pitt, the cause of the Irish Catholics was conarising out of the debates in Parlia-fided to the hands of these men, from ment in the preceding session, namely, a conviction that the utmost scrupulothe Conduct of the Whigs towards sity would be observed in their advo the Catholic Petitioners, and their man- cacy, not to countenance any thing ter of treating the proceedings which which might violate the consciences of ook place prior to the presentation of their clients, or tend to injure in the he Petition. Whoever has been an least the popular rights of the nation. ttentive observer of the political oc- In this, however, the Catholics found urrences which have taken place dur- themselves deceived.The Bill of ng the last twenty-five years, cannot 1813, with all its infamous and degradail to have noticed the fine-spun ing clauses found supporters among peeches, which have been made at the Whigs, notwithstanding it was " a public dinners and public meetings by Bill (as the Editor of the Cork Chronithe leaders of the Whig party, in all cle justly observes) giving the chance which they have loudly proclaimed of a few places to a handful of syco themselves as the friends of Civil and phants-a Bill infringing on the Civil Religious Liberty, and the steady as- Liberties of the people-a Bill which serters of the Rights of the People, created a mongrel Star Chamber under During this period the columns of the pretence of inquisition into Cleri their oracle, that paragon of liberal cal loyalty, for the purpose of esta principles, The Morning Chronicle, blishing Clerical subserviency-a Bill have been filled with loud and vehe- which would increase Ministerial in ment declarations against arbitrary fluence, by creating Ministerial patro power and ministerial corruption-nage-a Bill which would weaken gainst penal laws and religious dis- liberty, by extending corruption tinctions-against the encroachments Bill hostile to the free spirit of the of the Crown over the prerogatives of British Constitution, because conge the People and against the increasing nial to the regulations of Continental influence of Ministers, from the over- despotism-a Bill which, under the whelming accumulation of patronage pretence of communicating freedom to which flowed to them by the long con- the people, was framed for the pur tinuance of the war in which the na- pose of ensuring domination to an olig. tion was then engaged, and which archy, and which, by way of fa they most loudly condemned. It is vour, was composed of every restric not my intention to enter into a dis- tive regulation and vengeful mandate, sertation of these principles, nor to that was ever formed in any climate of shew whether they were well-founded the habitable globe, by any jealous ORTHOD, JOVR. VOL. III. a few suggestions as to the manner in which they wished their claims to be defended.- This determination was perfectly constitutional. Mr. Grattan was the representative of the Catho tics; it was to them that he owed the situation which he held in the senate, and, of course, he was bound to lis ten to their representations, although he might still act agreeably to the dic tates of his own opinion.The Livery of London, at their public meetings, agree to resolutions which direct that their representatives be instructed to support in Parliament the sentiments which they adopt on public measures; and surely five millions of people are entitled to the same right on a subject in which their consciences were involved, but of which their represen tatives are completely ignorant.Mr. Grattan however thought other wise.-He would listen to no sugges tions, because he would not be die tated to; and he considered the inde despot, or angry tyrant, to prevent man's intercourse with the God of Heaven or with the Chief of his religion on earth- a Bill which a broken-hearted slave might style Charter of Emancipation,' but which a human being aspiring to freedom must look upon as the death-warrant of liberty." This gross dereliction from principle alarmed both the Clergy and Laity, and while the former decided upon the spiritual tendency of the intended Legislative enactment, which they declared schismatical, the latter formed public meetings throughout the island, and condemned the measures proposed by the Bill, as calculated, under the colour of Emancipation, to fix the seal of degradation upon them, to blast the hopes of their country, and ultimately to subvert that faith for which their forefathers had shed their blood, and themselves were suffering persecution and proscription. And, in order that their sentiments might not be misre-pendence of Parliament would be su presented, nor their friends misguided lied were he to permit himself tob by the insinuations of designing men instructed as to what were the desire and false brethren, they further re- of his own constituents. Thus, whi solved that the object of their applica- is perfectly regular in a case where tion was for unqualified and unre- parish workhouse or a turnpike-roa stricted emancipation. A petition was is the subject of legislation, is totall consequently drawn up embracing the incompatible when the civil and reli before-mentioned object, and after re- gious interests of a fourth of the na ceiving signatures, was consigned into tion are concerned,-Well, the Catho the hands of Mr. Grattan, to be laid lics continue firmly fixed in their re before the House of Commons. The solution not to confide their cause in petition was accordingly presented; future to the care of any senator, but but, because it contained principles such as would undertake to bring it congenial to the true spirit of the Bri- forward upon the same principles as tish Constitution, and rejected veto- they required; and Mr. Grattan as istical arrangements, Mr. Grattan re- tenaciously adhered to his determina fused to bring the question forward, tion not to make any pledge as to his finding it was not agreeable to the future conduct. What then remained Whigs, notwithstanding the urgent en- to be done?-The Catholics had no treaties of his constituents to have other resource, but either to submit to their claims undergo an immediate be legislated for like a set of men ulldiscussion. In order, therefore, to able to discern their own interests, of prevent a repetition of this treatment, else to choose another pleader who a subsequent aggregate meeting deter- would defend their cause agreeably to mined that previous to consigning their wishes.-The latter course was their petition into the hands of their adopted; they expressed their regret Whig advocate, a deputation should that they found themselves compelled wait upon Mr. Grattan, and offer a to forsake a man who had so long C fought their battles; they regretted and have therefore contented themthat this same champion had so far selves with endeavouring to thwart the forgot himself as to be willing to sell will of the nation by means of chicathem and their religion to gratify the nery and intrigue; a system which views of a party, and that he still ad- has always been publicly condemned hered to his error; and they chose a by the Whig party, as contrary to senator who had always vindicated constitutional principles.-Well, the their cause with consistency, and who debate takes place, and how is it mawas himself independent and unem- naged by those who profess to be the barrassed with the trammels of fac- advocates and friends of civil and retion.-It is here to be observed, that ligious liberty? Not one of them, as soon as the Catholics of Ireland re- the Honourable Mover excepted, vinjected the Veto, and determined to dicates the measure upon the grounds have their cause discussed distinct of the petition. Not one of the party from party motives, the columns of come forward to support the printhe Whig Oracle were shut against ciple which has been adopted by almost them, and no notice was taken of all the states and sovereigns on the their proceedings by the liberal Edi- Continent, namely, an equal favour for of The Morning Chronicle, except and protection to all forms of wortwas to censure or misrepresent them. skip, and the admission of all citizens -Thus stood matters when the de- to public offices and employments, ates in the Commons came on in May whatever might be their religious ast, through the means of that incor-creed.-No, no, their ideas of liberty uptible senator, Sir Henry Parnell, disappeared, as if by a spell, at the whose abilities, sincerity, and zeal, sound of " Catholic claims," and they. he Catholics of this kingdom must could talk of nothing else but of er bear the highest regard, and to "Securities," and "Concessions," hose courage and consistency we which might be agreed upon in a Comnay hope for a final and honourable mittee, and the naughty behaviour of ermination of the struggle. The the Catholics towards Mr. Grattan, withdrawing the care of the Petition which they hoped that gentleman from Mr. Grattan stung THE PARTY would have the goodness and forbearDD. most deeply, and the task which our ance to look over. Mr. Ponsonby is advocate had to perform was no comstated to have said that " If there was mon one, as a perusal of the debate any thing which could have had will sufficiently shew.-Accordingly, weight with him against the claims of on the day Sir Henry presented the the Catholics, it would be the conduct general Petition from Ireland, if the they had observed towards his Right printed Reports of the proceedings Hon. Friend (Mr. Grattan)......He are correct, and I profess to know no might lament, for the sake of the Cafurther, Mr. Tierney commenced the tholics themselves, the steps they had attack by enquiring from what de- taken; but his Right Hon. Friend scription of Irish Catholics the Peti- could not be induced by their conduct tion purported to be. This was a mi- to vote against the consideration of a serable subterfuge, intending I sup- question affecting the interests of the pose to convey an idea that there was united empire."Lord Binning a body of Catholics in that country gretted that the conduct of this queswho differed from the sentiments of tion had been withdrawn from that the petitioners, when the enquirer distinguished individual (Mr. Grattan) must well know that those who unfor- by whom it had been heretofore ma tunately do differ from the general naged with such ability and EFFECTIVE opinion of the Irish people were so conciliation ;" and the late lamented few in number, that they have not Mr. Whitbread, a man who never sufventured to shew themselves publicly, fered himself to be controuled by the th re imagine that they alone are able to judge what is best for us. If this is not the case, I think we should have been spared the insulting language they adopted towards us on the dis cussion of our late Petition.-But let us now see what the great, the immaculate Mr. Grattan is reported to have said in vindication of himself.-The Right Hon. Gentleman is stated to have declared his intention of supporting the Catholic cause with a "des perate fidelity," but condemned the application for unqualified concession, because he was convinced from his knowledge of the sentiments of the House that such a proposition would not pass. He also considered that some regard ought to be paid to the feelings of those by whom that ques tion was to be determined, and is said to have concluded with the following. words:-Sir, unless the Catholic Body pursue a conciliatory line of conduc opinions of others, is said to have as sured the House, that "the course of the Catholics since 1813 had certainly been a bad one; and if any one part of their conduct was more marked by want of judgment than another, it was removing their Petition from the hands in which their cause had been so long sanctified...Had he been asked whether this year or the next, or what period would have been best for bringing the subject forward, his answer would have been, ask Mr. Grattan."-Really the treatment of the question by these Whig leaders is so insulting, so disgusting, and so inconsistent, that I find it very difficult to keep one's temper whilst I am transcribing their precious opinions for the hands of the compositor. What an abandonment of principle is exhibited by these liberal gentlemen? These legislators, and their oracles in the press, have been railing at Ministers, for interfering in the affairs of France, unless they come to this House, no and asserting the right of the people with a silent and implied, but with to choose their own sovereign; but declared attachment to the VITAL they refuse a similar privilege to the PRINCIPLES of the Constitution, the Catholics of Ireland of choosing their will not succeed. I have told them own advocate in the senate, when they before, and I now repeat it, that un find their former one has betrayed less they adopt a spirit of concilia them. They condemn Catholics for tion, they will never succeed. I will acknowledging the infallibility of the say further, that conciliation is not Pope, and yet they wish to establish only necessary to their interest, but an infallibility in the person of Mr. essential to their DUTY, both to the Grattan in the management of the state and to one another. If Catholic Catholic question. They profess to emancipation should not be carried, it act upon constitutional principles, and will be owing, not to the want of they censure the Catholics for pursu- candour and consideration on the part ing the same line of conduct, They of the Legislature, but to the want make fine orations at taverns about the of prudence and discretion on the voice of the people, but when the part of SOME Catholics, who do not public voice condemns the senatorial assist the Protestant friends of their action of one of their party, they im- cause by expressing their ready con mediately turn round and blame the currence in the adoption by ParliaCatholic people for being guilty of in- ment of such SECURITIES, as to THEIR temperance and want of judgment. In FEELINGS MAY APPEAR NECESSARY, fact, our Senators have been so long and which at the same time may not in the habit of swearing that we Ca- be inconsistent with the Catholic reli tholics are superstitious idolaters, that gion. Unless they do this, they will they consider us as a sort of non com-fail in their efforts, and their failure pos mentis animals, unable to form an idea for ourselves, and therefore they assume a high tone of superiority, and will be solely attributable to their want of discretion. Sir, I have an ardent love for the Catholic Body. I DE and thenow do not ascribe the errors of some in- | Commons did condescend to consider dividuals to the body at large. But their case; but what was the candour I once more say, that unless they experienced by the Catholics on this adopt a spirit of conciliation, they occasion? Why a bill was drawn up, have not the smallest chance of suc- which would have rendered their si-cess."-From this specimen of Mr. tuation more galling and insulting Grattan's eloquence and logic, the than that in which they are now reader I am convinced will think with placed; but before they could even me, that the Catholics of Ireland were give their opinion on the merits of this perfectly justifiable in taking their bu- bill, the very fundamental principle of desiness out of his hands, and placing it was rejected by the House, and, in thit in those of a more faithful advocate, consequence, the framers of this prehowever grateful they might feel for cious proof of candour and considerathe former exertions of Mr. G. in their tion withdrew it altogether.Mr. cause. What could have caused this Grattan also says, that unless the Caestergiversation in the sentiments of this tholics come to Parliament, not with speaker is not easily to be conjec- an implied, but with a declared atistured; but a comparison of the former tachment to the vital principles of the pad speeches of this gentleman when urg- Constitution, they will not succeed.ing the claims of his Catholic coun- Now, reader, what is this but an intrymen with this rhapsodical decla- direct charge against the Catholics of he femation, exhibits so wide a contrast to entertaining some sinister intention of ththe once-powerful eloquence of the subverting the essential elements of splendid orator, that one cannot help our Constitution, than which nothing Hlamenting that the days of Henry can be more false. Mr. Grattan could Grattan are gone by, and that he is not be ignorant of the nature of the How arrived at the years of dotage. petitions which he had so repeatedly Mr. Grattan accuses his constituents presented to the House, in all which with want of prudence, and says that the Catholics had declared their unalif their emancipation is not finally terable attachment to the essence of carried, it will not be owing to a want the British Constitution, while he adof CANDOUR and CONSIDERA- vocated their cause upon the same TION on the part of the Legislature. grounds. How then came he to disOne is really astonished at the ef cover a lurking design on the part of frontery of this assertion. Has not his constituents to undermine the funthis very same Mr. Grattan been urg-damental principles of the state? Did ing the claims of the Catholics before this not occur to his view until they the Legislature session after session, withdrew their confidence from him? but without effect? Has not the elo- And could he not discern that the quence of the orator, the reasoning of ground of the petitioners, in claiming the statesman, the wisdom of the se- a restitution of their rights, unrenator, been exerted for years to induce stricted and unqualified, was taken up the Legislature to take the case of the by them in consequence of the attempt petitioners into consideration, BUT made in the Bill of 1813, to depart WITHOUT EFFECT? Have not from the vital principle of the Constitheir applications been discarded, by tution, by increasing the influence of overwhelming majorities, year after the Crown and controuling the freeyear, notwithstanding there was an dom of popular elections under the implied understanding on the union of guise of ecclesiastical securities. How the two islands that the influence of blind is party, when the most glaring Ministers should be exerted to induce facts are rendered impervious to the the Legislature to listen to their appli- sight of those who are entangled in its cation for relief? "Tis true, after a chains. But we are told that unless lapse of thirteen years, the House of it. b we adopt a spirit of conciliation, we |