Page images
PDF
EPUB

"Emo Park, March 19, 1817. "SIR,- I have been prevented from sending an answer to your letter of the 8th instant, in consequence of my not having received it for some time after it arrived here.

[ocr errors]

it.

แ "They who demand the veto, for the avowed purpose of extending the influence of the crown, propose a measure the most hostile to the constitution; and it may, with reason, be suspected, that they put forward the influence of the pope as a formidable evil, merely as a pretext to lead public opinion to be in favour of giving the crown a new accession of power, by the means of the transcendent influence of the catholic clergy over those who profess the catholic religion. The report of the committee of the house of commons, concerning the regulations of foreign states,upon which they chiefly rest their case, affords no precedent, but such as a nation, jea

of each new bishop, it is to be remembered, that the grounds upon which the expediency of it was principally urged, was the captivity of the pope by Bona partes and it is, therefore, to be presumed, that, as the pope was now free, "On the subject of the resolutions they who were advocates of this partiwhich it contains, I do not hesitate to cular plan, upon their view of the subsay, that I have never been able to dis-ject, will no longer continue in pressing cover any good reason for connecting with the restoration of the catholics to their civil rights, a change in the esta blished practice of appointing the catholic bishops. During the greater part of the last century, while the Stuarts still claimed the legitimate right to the throne, the pope actually appointed every bishop, and yet no trace could ever be discovered of any Irish catholic being concerned in the rebellions of 1715 and 1745. Lord Castlereagh, and Mr. Elliot, who, in 1798, were the principal Irish ministers, have repeatedly declared in the house of commons, that the conduct of the catholic bishops contributed very materially to the suppression of the rebellion of that year; and no one now pre-lous of its liberties, ought to avoid and tends to say, that a single exception can be made to the several appointments that have taken place since that period. But, if there did exist any such cause of alarm from the pope virtually possessing the absolute, though now nearly obsolete power of appointing the bishops, this objection to emancipation is fully met by the offer made by the catholics to the legislature of an arrangement, by which the pope shall no longer possess that power; but in place of it, shall merely have the right to give canonical institution to the person who shall, in the first instance, have been elected as fit to be a bishop by the parochial clergy of the vacant diocese.

"By the plan of domestic nomination, the ancient practice of the first ages of the christian church will be restored; the pope will be deprived of the means of doing any injury to the state, through the intrigues of foreign influence, and he will also be deprived of the means of rendering the influence of the crown, through the interest of the British minister at the court of Rome, the preponderating influence, as it sometimes has been, in the future appointment of the bishops.

"In respect to the plan of giving the crown a veto, upon the nomination

deprecate, for it appears from the history of these countries, that just in proportion as the several sovereigns of Europe were successful in their encroachments upon the liberties of their subjects, they deprived the clergy of their established right of electing their bishops, and usurped the power of nominating to the see of Rome, the better to extend and confirm the despotism of their governments.

"It is worthy of observation, that, up to this moment, the question of ecclesiastical arrangements has never been the subject of a separate or full discussion in parliament. The report of last session will necessarily lead to an extended examination of it in all its bearings, and the catholics may therefore reasonably expect, that, in the result, the jealousy of the power of the crown on the one hand, and the acknowledged good effects of the catholic religion on the other, upon the public morals, will have their proper influence in producing a fair and unobjectionable arrangement.

"Whatever may be the partiality of some individuals for this or that parti ticular measure, there does not exist any reason for not placing full confidence in the justice and liberality of both houses of parliament; they will

listen to all objections that can be made to the plan of the veto, and as they cannot but respect the feelings of the catholics, and duly appreciate the value of the catholic religion, in governing the conduct and morals of the great catholic population of the country, they will not adopt this measure, if after a solemn discussion of it, it shall prove to be more likely to excite new discontent, than to promote the fair object of legislative interference, the perfect conciliation of the people of Ireland. I have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient servant, HENRY PARNELL." "To Sir Thomas Esmonde, Bart, &c."

On the 15th inst. the Catholics of the county of Clare held an aggregate meeting, which was most numerously attended, and honoured with the presence of a great number of protestant gentlemen of wealth and consequence. The meeting was held in the chapel of Ennis, the galleries of which were graced with an assemblage of female rank and beauty never before witnessed on such an oc

to the noble lord, whilst Mr. Grat tan was passed over in silence.-It is impossible to convey an idea of the enthusiasm which his lordship's letter and conduct excited. The county of Clare reckons a popula tion of 200,000 catholics, and not a solitary voice was heard in favour of the veto.

The following Extract of a letter from an intelligent young gentleman, at present in Rome, to one of the most respectable characters in Cork, is copied from the Cork Mercantile Chronicle:

"Rome, Feb. 22, 1817,"

"As to catholic politics and Irish ecclesiastical affairs, things seem quite at a stand here. They think they have gone as far as they ought. On the former I shall just mention to you the words of the pope to Brougham, which the master of the ceremonies, a known vetoist, and who was present, repeated to me❤❤ 'I have given the letter from Genoa, casion. As the veto question is (said his holiness) because I could considered to bear a double aspect, not help it? the king of Prussia has religious as well as political, it was by usurpation a power in the elec judged best to express the detesta- tion of bishops, which I never would tion of the meeting to it, by a combi- or will grant to the king of Engnation of the church and the people. land; but as I am obliged to tole-In consequence, the venerable rate this in Prussia, I could not bishop of Killaloe, Dr. O'Shaugh-help granting the letter I did to nessy, was requested to take the chair, my best friend England. to which he reluctantly consented, in when I gave that letter from Genoa, deference to his inexperience in the I never intended to oblige the Irish etiquette of public meetings.-Reso- catholics to act under it, and inlutions were ananimously passed, deed I BELIEVE IT WOULD condemning the veto in the strongest BE BETTER THEY DID NOT. terms, and declaratory of their de- I think something with regard to termination to resist any species of domestic nomination may be deemancipation which should be direct- cided upon at the next consistory, ly or indirectly coupled with that which will be held next month. The abominable measure. -The letters German baron who was coming from Lord Donoughmore and Mr. here as Ambassador from the king Grattan were read to the meeting. of Hanover, had arrived at Milan, The former was received with enthu- when he received orders to repair siastic acclamations; the latter not to London for further instructions, only with coldness, but with strong it is presumed on Irish affairs." marks of indignation. A motion of thanks was carried by acclamation

But

The Morning Chronicle of the 28th inst, states, that Sir John Cox Hip

pisley moved, in the house of commons on the preceding evening, that an address be presented to his royal highness the Prince Regent, praying his royal highness would be graciously pleased to lay before the house, copies and extracts of all dispatches relative to foreign nomination, which may have been received as respecting the catholics. In moving this address, he observed, that he trusted that the information convey. ed by the several official dispatches (which was the object of his motion) might tend to counteract the mischievous impressions of the most gross and unfounded representations, which from time to time were made in another part of the united kingdom. He thought this was a fit occasion for him to allude to a letter, stated to be written

by a roman catholic priest, a Mr. Hayes, from Rome, containing the most unwar. ranted assertions respecting himself (Sir J. Hippisley), and he could venture to say as much for the noble viscount at the head of the department for foreign affairs, whom he did not now see in his place. In fact these assertions of Mr. Hayes were wholly false. He had little doubt but an honour

able and learned gentleman under the gallery could say nearly the same in relation to a paragraph circulated in most of the public papers, relative to his communications, as there stated, with the sovereign pontiff. The practice of imposing upon the understandings and feelings of a very large mass of his majesty's subjects was but too prevalent, and had already produced the most serious evils, to endeavour to apply a remedy to which was the object of the present motion. To this motion he felt perfectly assured that none would dissent. Motion agreed to.

A letter from Milan, dated March 8th, states, that the church of St. Ambrose, at Genoa, has been restored to the Jesuits.

cause of the London Mission Fund, and on the Charitable Sisters, that most excellent society in which the works of mercy both corporal and spiritual are continually practised.

The effect produced by the persuasive eloquence of our venerable bishop is most. consoling, for notwithstanding the distresses of the times and the poverty of the district, the collection was the largest ever made in that chapel.

Persons desirous of becoming subscribers to the above excellent institutions, are requested to apply to the chaplains, Virginia-street; M. Sidney esq. treasurer, Star and Garter-yard, Ratcliff-highway; or to Mr. D. Gibson, secretary, No. 53, Ratcliff-highway.

On the same day a sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr. Mac Donnell, at St. Aloysius's chapel, Somer's town, for the benefit of that establishment, which is under considerable pecuniary difficulties, when the collection amounted to 351.

On the 17th instant, being St. Pa trick's day, a pontifical mass was celebrated by the right rev. Dr. Poynter, at the chapel dedicated to the illustrious apostle of the Irish nation, in Sutton-street, Soho-square.-Immediately after the gospel, the rev. Mr. Devereux delivered a very impressive discourse to a large congregation, after which a collection was made for the support of the chapel, which pro

duced 531.

On Low Sunday next, the venerable vicar apostolic, of the London`district will preach a Sermon at the last mentioned chapel in behalf of those excellent and well managed institutions, St. Patrick's charity schools and asylum for Female Orphans, when we fervently hope the noble feelings of charity in the audience will be commensurate to the pious intentions, the pathetic sympathy, and the persuasive eloquence, of the amiable and benevolent guardian of the little unfortunates clothed, educated, and boarded by these establishments.

On Sunday, March 9th, a sermon was preached in Virginia-street chapel, by the right rev. Dr. Poynter, for the benefit of the charitable institution for educating and clothing poor catholic females in the East London district. The learned prelate delivered a most eloquent and impressive discourse from the follow ing text:-"Whosoever shall receivThe anniversary dinner for the last one such little one in my name receiv-named institutions, will be at the Freema

eth me," Matth. 18th chap. and 5th verse. In the course of the sermon, his lordship took occasion to bestow a well earned eulogium on the gentlemen who exert themselves in the

son's tavern, Great Queen-street, on Thursday, the 17th instant. when his royal high

ness the Duke of Sussex will honour the

company with his presenee, and fill the

chair.

ERRATA, page 104, for Litchfield, read

Lichfield.

W. E. Andrews, Printer, Garlick Hill, Thames Street.

[blocks in formation]

CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY NOT OBTAINED BY THE REFORMATION.

THE MODERN REFORMERS TASTING THE EFFECTS OF THE INTOLERANT PRACTICES OF THEIR ANCESTORS TOWARDS THE PAPISTS.

F the complaints raised by our

3

against the measures resorted to by their opponents to suppress the force of public opinion have any foundation in justice, how much greater reason have the catholics of this country, but Ireland more especially, to complain of the injustice done to them by the ancestors of these enlightened disciples of cosmopolitism and universal liberty. Yet, notwithstanding the page of history is stained with the most iniquitous, unjust, and merciless acts on the part of the puritan faction in the time of the Stuarts, no orator or writer of the present day can harangue or endite on the subject of civil and religious liberty, without extolling the deeds of these bigotted fanatics, which they would fain persuade their hearers or readers were noble struggles in the glorious cause of free dom, when, in fact, their whole proceedings bear the mark of intole rance, oppression, and vandalism. But the hand of divine vengeance is uplifted, and the present race of reformers, whose prejudices against every institution that savours of catholicity are evidently as strong as

ORTHOD. JOUR. VOL. V,

those of their puritan ancestors, now know, in part, the efficacy of those law which were enacted by their forefathers to persecute and oppress their catholic brethren, whose only offence was that of differing from them in speculative points of doctrine, and adhering to the genuine

If the modern reformers complain that the personal liberty of every Englishman is now at the mercy of a secretary of state, let them re collect that it was their ancestors who introduced the precedent, by wresting the privileges of the constitution from every catholic who would not forswear his conscience, and become a traitor to his God.— Let them recollect, that their ances➡ tors, under the banners of evangelical liberty, made liberty of conscience high treason against the state, when exercised by a catholic, and encouraged informers, by the lure of a participation in the property of the luckless offenders, to search with the eagerness of a blood-hound for their prey, and fill the goals of England, which, till then, were only considered the receptacles for thieves and abandoned characters, with the innocent victims of conscientious integrity.-If the modern reformers complain that undue means are taken to suppress public opinion and the freedom of the press, let them remember that their ancestors, in the time of the first Stuart, passed a law

K

5

which subjected every house in the | lical liberty, who framed laws to

kingdom to domiciliary visits, for
the purpose of searching for English
popish books, which, when found,
were to be burnt, and the individual
whose property they were, fined
forty shillings. If they complain
that sham plots are hatched up by
their opponents, and crimes laid to
their charge, of which they are not
guilty, let the not forget that it
was by forged plots, and those of
the most infamous nature, that their
ancestors justified the enactment of
that sanguinary code which dis-
graces our statute book, and con-
signed so many innocent individuals
to the knife and the halter. If they
further complain, (in reply to the
arguments advanced by their oppo-
nents, that the laws, though strong,
will be exercised with discretion
and mercy by the executive,) that
there is no security now left to the
subject to insure him against the in-
justice or oppression of a corrupt
ministry, or a jealous political anta-
gonist, let them bear in mind, that
the merciful dispensation of the pe-
nal laws, in favour of the catholics,
formed one of the greatest charges
brought against the Stuarts by their
ancestors in the "noble struggles"
they made in behalf of religious li-
berty, and was the principal cause
of bringing one monarch to the block,
and expelling his son from the
throne. The oppressions and exe-
cutions which took place under the
Stuarts, not from the tyrannical or
cruel disposition of those monarchs,
but in consequence of the clamours
of the puritan ancestors of our en-
lightened reformers, to have the laws
against papists rigidly enforced,
compelled many noble families, and
numerous mechanics and artizans, to
seek an asylum, where they might
be allowed to follow the dictates of
their conscience, which was denied
them in the land of their birth by the
apostles and strugglers for evange-

deprive them even of this consola-
tion, and constrain them to reside in
a country where they were sure to
meet with violence and cruelty. --
And now we behold some of the de-
scendants of these matchless strug-
glers for liberty, forsaking their na-
tive soil to avoid the heavy burthens
imposed on their purses to meet the
exigencies of the state, or the re-
strictive laws lately passed to re-
strain the licentious effusions of their
mind. A month has scarcely elapsed
since the celebrated Mr. Cobbett,
the powerful writer on political to-
pics, but the ignorant and preju-
diced descanter on religious facts,
found it necessary to quit his coun-
try and his friends, because he could
not enjoy that freedom of communi-
cating his sentiments to the public
which his admired ancestors, in their
noble struggles to maintain the cause
of religious liberty, denied to the
professors of that faith, the minis-
ters of which Mr. C. is so much in
the habit of bespattering with his
unjust censures, for their imposing
restrictions on the minds of their
flocks. It will be well for this gen-
tleman, now he is gone to the only
free country on earth, to reflect a lit-
tle upon the history of his own coun-
try since the period of the reforma-
tion, so called; to divest himself,
if he can, of all prejudice, and com-
pare the treatment he and his re
forming friends complain of from the
supporters of corruption, with the
usage experienced by the catholics
in their endeavours to elicit the truth
of religion, and repel the calumnies
of their enemies, and he will find
that the efforts of his dear ancestors
to maintain their system of religious
liberty, were far more grinding and
overwhelming, more calumnious
and reproachable, more base and
iniquitous, more cruel and despotic,
than any the most severe and arbi-,
trary of the measures condemned by

« PreviousContinue »