PARLIAMENTARY SPEECHES. DEBATE ON THE FRAME-WORK BILL, IN THE HOUSE These machines were to them an advantage, inas OF LORDS, FEBRUARY 27, 1812. THE order of the day for the second reading of this bill being read, LORD BYRON rose, and (for the first time) dressed their lordships, as follows: ad much as they superseded the necessity of employing a number of workmen, who were left in consequence to starve. By the adoption of one species of frame in particular, one man performed the work of many, and the superfluous laborers were thrown out of employment. Yet it is to be observed, that the work thus executed was inferior in quality; not MY LORDS-The subject now submitted to your marketable at home, and merely hurried over with lordships for the first time, though new to the a view to exportation. It was called, in the cant of House, is by no means new to the country. I the trade, by the name of "Spider work." The believe it had occupied the serious thoughts of all rejected workmen, in the blindness of their ignodescriptions of persons, long before its introduction rance, instead of rejoicing at these improvements to the notice of that legislature, whose interference in arts so beneficial to mankind, conceived themalone could be of real service. As a person in some selves to be sacrificed to improvements in mechandegree connected with the suffering county, though ism. In the foolishness of their hearts they ima stranger not only to this House in general, but to agined, that the maintenance and well-doing of the almost every individual whose attention I presume industrious poor were objects of greater consequence to solicit, I must claim some portion of your lord- than the enrichment of a few individuals by any ships' indulgence whilst I offer a few observations improvement, in the implements of trade, which on a question in which I confess myself deeply in- threw the workmen out of employment, and renterested. dered the laborer unworthy of his hire. And it To enter into any detail of the riots would be must be confessed that although the adoption of superfluous: the House is already aware that every the enlarged machinery, in that state of our comoutrage short of actual bloodshed has been perpe- merce which the country once boasted, might have trated, and that the proprietors of the frames ob- been beneficial to the master without being detrinoxious to the rioters, and all persons supposed to mental to the servant; yet, in the present situation be connected with them, have been liable to insult of our manufactures, rotting in warehouses, withand violence. During the short time I recently out a prospect of exportation, with the demand for passed in Nottinghamshire, not twelve hours elapsed work and workmen equally diminished, frames of without some fresh act of violence; and on the day this description tend materially to aggravate the I left the county, I was informed that forty frames distress and discontent of the disappointed sufferhad been broken the preceding evening, as usual, ers. But the real cause of these distresses and conwithout resistence and without detection. sequent disturbances lies deeper. When we are Such was then the state of that county, and such told that these men are leagued together not only I have reason to believe it to be at this moment. for the destruction of their own comfort, but of their But whilst these outrages must be admitted to exist very means of subsistence, can we forget that it is to an alarming extent, it cannot be denied that they the bitter policy, the destructive warfare of the last have arisen from circumstances of the most unpar-eighteen years, which has destroyed their comfort, alleled distress. The perseverance of these misera- your comfort, all men's comfort? That policy which, ble men in their proceedings, tends to prove that originating with "great statesmen now no more," has nothing but absolute want could have driven a survived the dead to become a curse on the living, large, and once honest and industrious, body of the unto the third and fourth generation! These men people, into the commission of excesses so hazard- never destroyed their looms till they were become ous to themselves, their families, and the commu- useless, worse than useless; till they were become nity. At the time to which I allude, the town and actual impediments to their exertions in obtaining county were burdened with large detachments of their daily bread. Can you, then, wonder that in the military; the police was in motion, the magis- times like these, when bankruptcy, convicted fraud, trates assembled; yet all the movements, civil and and imputed felony are found in a station not far military, had led to-nothing. Not a single in- beneath that of your lordships, the lowest, though stance had occurred of the apprehension of any real once most useful portion of the people, should fordelinquent actually taken in the fact, against whom get their duty in their distresses, and become only there existed legal evidence sufficient for conviction. less guilty than one of their representatives? But But the police, however useless, were by no means while the exalted offender can find means to baffle idle: several notorious delinquents had been de- the law, new capital punishments must be devised, tected; men, liable to conviction, on the clearest new snares of death must be spread for the wretched evidence, of the capital crime of poverty; men who mechanic, who is famished into guilt. These men had been nefariously guilty of lawfully begetting were willing to dig, but the spade was in other several children, whom, thanks to the times! they hands: they were not ashamed to beg, but there were unable to maintain. Considerable injury had was none to relieve them: their own means of sub been done to the proprietors of the improved frames. sistence were cut off, all other employments pre occupied, and their excesses, however to be deplored mob too often speaks the sentiments of the peopr. and condemned, can hardly be subject of surprise. And here I must remark, with what alacrity you are It has been stated that the persons in the tem- accustomed to fly to the succor of your distressed porary possession of frames connive at their de-allies, leaving the distressed of your own country to struction; if this be proved upon inquiry, it were the care of Providence, or-the parish. When the necessary that such material accessaries to the Portuguese suffered under the retreat of the French, crime should be principals in the punishment. every arm was stretched out, every hand was opened, But I did hope, that any measure proposed by his from the rich man's largess to the widow's mite, all majesty's government, for your lordship's decision, was bestowed to enable them to rebuild their vilwould have had conciliation for its basis; or, if lages and replenish their granaries. And at this mo that were hopeless, that some previous inquiry, ment, when thousands of misguided but most un some deliberation would have been deemed requi- fortunate fellow-countrymen are struggling with the site; not that we should have been called at once extremes of hardships and hunger, as your charity without examination, and without cause, to pass began abroad, it should end at home. À much less sentences by wholesale, and sign death-warrants sum, a tithe of the bounty bestowed on Portugal, blindfold. But admitting that these men had no even if those men (which I cannot admit without cause of complaint; that the grievances of them inquiry) could not have been restored to their emand their employers were alike groundless; that ployments, would have rendered unnecessary the they deserve the worst; what inefficiency, what im- tender mercies of the bayonet and the gibbet. But becility has been evinced in the method chosen to doubtless our friends have too many foreign claims reduce them! Why were the military called out to to admit a prospect of domestic relief; though be made a mockery of, if they were to be called out never did such objects demand it. I have traversed at all? As far as the difference of seasons would the seat of war in the Peninsula, I have been in permit, they have merely parodied the summer cam- some of the most oppressed provinces of Turkey, paign of Major Sturgeon; and, indeed, the whole but never under the most despotic of infidel governproceedings, civil and military, seemed on the model ments did I behold such squalid wretchedness as I of those of the Mayor and corporation of Garratt. have seen since my return in the very heart of a -Such marchings and countermarchings! from Christian country. And what are your remedies? Nottingham to Bullwell, from Bullwell to Banford, After months of inaction, and months of action from Banford to Mansfield! and when at length the worse than inactivity, at length comes forth the detachments arrived at their destinations, in all grand specific, the never-failing nostrum of all state "the pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious physicians, from the days of Draco to the present war," they came just in time to witness the mischief time. After feeling the pulse and shaking the head which had been done, and ascertain the escape of over the patient, prescribing the usual course of the perpetrators, to collect the "spolia opima in warm water and bleeding, the warm water of your the fragments of broken frames, and return to their maukish police, and the lancets of your military, quarters amidst the derision of old women, and the these convulsions must terminate in death, the sure hootings of children. Now, though in a free coun- consummation of the prescriptions of all political try, it were to be wished that our military should Sangrados. Setting aside the palpable injustice, never be too formidable, at least to ourselves, I can- and the certain inefficiency of the bill, are there not not see the policy of placing them in situations capital punishments sufficient in your statutes? Is where they can only be made ridiculous. As the there not blood enough upon your penal code, that sword is the worst argument that can be used, so more must be poured forth to ascend to Heaven and should it be the last. In this instance it has been testify against you? How will you carry the bill the first; but providentially as yet only in the scab-into effect? Can you commit a whole county to bard. The present measure will, indeed, pluck it their own prison? Will you erect a gibbet in every from the sheath; yet had proper meetings been field, and hang up men like scarecrows? or will you held in the earlier stages of these riots,-had the proceed (as you must, to bring this measure into grievances of these men and their masters (for they effect) by decimation? place the country under also had their grievances) been fairly weighed and martial law? depopulate and lay waste all around justly examined, I do think that means might have you? and restore Sherwood Forest as an acceptable been devised to restore these workmen to their avo-gift to the crown, in its former condition of a royal cations, and tranquillity to the country. At present chase and an asylum for outlaws? Are these the the country suffers from the double infliction of an remedies for a starving and desperate populace? idle military, and a starving population. In what Will the famished wretch who has braved your baystate of apathy have we been plunged so long, that onets, be appalled by your gibbets? When death is now for the first time the House has been officially a relief, and the only relief it appears that you will apprized of these disturbances ! All this has been afford him, will he be dragooned into tranquillity? transacting within one hundred and thirty miles of Will that which could not be effected by your grenLondon, and yet we, "good easy men, have deemed adiers be accomplished by your executioners? If full surely our greatness was a-ripening," and have you proceed by the forms of law, where is your evisat down to enjoy our foreign triumphs in the midst dence? Those who have refused to impeach their of domestic calamity. But all the cities you have accomplices, when transportation only was the puntaken, all the armies which have retreated before ishment, will hardly be tempted to witness against your leaders, are but paltry subjects of self-congrat- them when death is the penalty. With all due deulation, if your land divides against itself, and your ference to the noble lords opposite, I think a little dragoons and your executioners must be let loose investigation, some previous inquiry, would induce against your fellow-citizens.-You call these men a even them to change their purpose. That most famob, desperate, dangerous, and ignorant; and seem vorite state measure, so marvellously efficacious in to think that the only way to quiet the "Bellua many and recent instances, temporizing, would not multorum capitum" is to lop off a few of its super-be without its advantages in this. When a proposal fluous heads. But even a mob may be better re- is made to emancipate or relieve, you hesitate, you duced to reason by a mixture of conciliation and deliberate for years, you temporize and tamper with firmness, than by additional irritation and redoubled the minds of men; but a death-bill must be passed penalties. Are we aware of our obligations to a off hand, without a thought of the consequences. mob? It is the mob that labor in your fields, and Sure I am, from what I have heard, and from what serve in your houses,-that man your navy, and re-I have seen, that to pass the Bill under all the excruit your army,-that have enabled you to defy all isting circumstances, without inquiry, without dethe world, and can also defy you when neglect and liberation, would only be to add injustice to irritation, calamity have driven them to despair. You may and barbarity to neglect. The framers of such a call the people a mob; but do not forget, that a Bill must be content to inherit the honors of that Athenien lawgiver whose edicts were said to be ened the force of the remark. It is indeed time written not in ink, but in blood. But suppose it that we should leave off these petty cavils on frivpast; suppose one of these men, as I have seen olous points, these Lilliputian sophistries whether them,-meagre with famine, sullen with despair, our "eggs are best broken at the broad or narrow careless of a life which your lordships are perhaps end." about to value at something less than the price of a The opponents of the Catholics may be divided stocking-frame-suppose this man, surrounded by into two classes; those who assert that the Cathothe children for whom he is unable to procure bread lics have too much already, and those who allege at the hazard of his existence, about to be torn for that the lower orders, at least, have nothing more ever from a family which he lately supported in to require. We are told by the former, that the peaceful industry, and which it is not his fault that Catholics never will be contented: by the latter, he can no longer so support-suppose this man, and that they are already too happy. The last paradox there are ten thousand such from whom you may is sufficiently refuted by the present, as by all past select your victims, dragged into court, to be tried petitions; it might as well be said, that the negroes for this new offence, by this new law; still, there did not desire to be emancipated-but this is an unare two things wanting to convict and condemn fortunate comparison, for you have already delivered him; and these are, in my opinion,-twelve Butchers for a Jury, and a Jeffries for a Judge! DEBATE ON THE EARL OF DONOUGHMORE'S them out of the house of bondage without any petition on their part, but many from their taskmasters to a contrary effect; and for myself, when I consider this, I pity the Catholic peasantry for not having the good fortune to be born black. But the Catholics are contented, or at least ought to be, as we are told: I shall therefore proceed to touch on a few of those circumstances which so marvellously conMY LORDS-The question before the House has tribute to their exceeding contentment. They are been so frequently, fully, and ably discussed, and not allowed the free exercise of their religion in the never perhaps more ably than on this night, that it regular army; the Catholic soldier cannot absent would be difficult to adduce new arguments for or himself from the service of the Protestant clergyagainst it. But with each discussion difficulties man, and, unless he is quartered in Ireland, or in have been removed, objections have been canvassed Spain, where can he find eligible opportunities of and refuted, and some of the former opponents of attending his own? The permission of Catholic Catholic Emancipation have at length conceded to chaplains to the Irish militia regiments was conthe expediency of relieving the petitioners. In con- ceded as a special favor, and not till after years of ceding thus much, however, a new objection is remonstrance, although an act, passed in 1793, started; it is not the time, say they, or it is an im-established it as a right. But are the Catholics proper time, or there is time enough yet. In some properly protected in Ireland? Can the church degree I concur with those who say it is not the time purchase a rood of land whereon to erect a chapel ? exactly; that time is passed; better had it been for No; all the places of worship are built on leases of the country, that the Catholics possessed at this trust or sufferance from the laity, easily broken and moment their proportion of our privileges, that their nobles held their due weight in our councils, than that we should be assembled to discuss their claims. It had indeed been better "Non tempore tali Cogere concillium cum muros obsidit hostis." often betrayed. The moment any irregular wish, any casual caprice of the benevolent landlord meets with oppostion, the doors are barred against the congregation. This has happened continually, but in no instance more glaringly, than at the town of Newtown Barry in the county of Wexford. The Catholics, enjoying no regular chapel, as a temporary expedient, hired two barns, which, being thrown The enemy is without, and distress within. It is into one, served for public worship. At this time too late to cavil on doctrinal points, when we must there was quartered opposite to the spot an officer, unite in defence of things more important than the whose mind appears to have been deeply imbued mere ceremonies of religion. It is indeed singular, with those prejudices which the Protestant petithat we are called together to deliberate, not on the tions, now on the table, prove to have been fortuGod we adore, for in that we are agreed; not about nately eradicated from the more rational portion of the king we obey, for to him we are loyal; but how the people; and when the Catholics were assembled far a difference in the ceremonials of worship, how on the Sabbath as usual, in peace and good-will for believing not too little, but too much, (the worst towards men, for the worship of their God and yours, that can be imputed to the Catholics,) how far they found the chapel door closed, and were told too much devotion to their God, may incapacitate that if they did not immediately retire, (and they our fellow-subjects from effectually serving their were told this by a yeoman officer and a magistrate,) king. the riot act should be read, and the assembly dis Much has been said, within and without doors, of persed at the point of the bayonet! This was com Church and State, and although those venerable plained of to the middle-man of government, the words have been often prostituted to the most despi- secretary at the Castle in 1806, and the answer was. cable of party purposes, we cannot hear them too (in lieu of redress,) that he would cause a letter to often; all, I presume, are the advocates of Church be written to the colonel, to prevent, if possible, the and State, the Church of Christ, and the State of recurrence of similar disturbances. Upon this fact, Great Britain; but not a state of exclusion and no very great stress need be laid; but it tends to despotism; not an intolerant church; not a church prove that while the Catholic church has not power militant, which renders itself liable to the very ob- to purchase land for its chapels to stand upon, the jection urged against the Romish communion, and laws for its protection are of no avail. In the mean in a greater degree, for the Catholic merely with- time, the Catholics are at the mercy of every "peltholds its spiritual benediction, (and even that is ing, petty officer," who may choose to play his "fandoubtful,) but our church, or rather our churchmen, tastic tricks before high heaven," to insult his God, not only refuse to the Catholic their spiritual grace, and injure his fellow-creatures. but all temporal blessings whatsoever. It was an Every schoolboy, any footboy, (such have held observation of the great Lord Peterborough, made commissions in our service,) any footboy who can within these walls, or within the walls where the exchange his shoulder-knot for an epaulet, may perLords then assembled, that he was for a "parlia- form all this and more against the Catholic, by virmentary king and a parliamentary constitution, but tue of that very authority delegated to him by his not a parliamentary God, and a parliamentary re- sovereign, for the express purpose of defending his igion." The interval of a century has not weak-fellow-subjects to the last drop of his blood, without discrimination or distinction between Catholic and tors? And cannot you relieve the beggar when Protestant. your fathers have made him such? If you are disHave the Irish Catholics the full benefit of trial posed to relieve him at all, cannot you do it without by jury? They have not; they never can have until flinging your farthings in his face? As a contrast, they are permitted to share the privilege of serving however, to this beggarly benevolence, let us look at as sheriffs and undersheriffs. Of this a striking ex- the Protestant Charter Schools; to them you have ample occurred at the last Enniskillen assizes. A lately granted 41,000l.: thus are they supported, yeoman was arraigned for the murder of a Catholic and how are they recruited? Montesquieu obnamed Macvournagh: three respectable uncontra-serves, on the English constitution, that the model dicted witnesses deposed that they saw the prisoner may be found in Tacitus, where the historian deload, take aim, fire at, and kill the said Macvour- scribes the policy of the Germans, and adds, "this nagh. This was properly commented on by the beautiful system was taken from the woods;" so judge; but, to the astonishment of the bar, and in speaking of the charter schools, it may be obindignation of the court, the Protestant jury ac- served, that this beautiful system was taken from quitted the accused. So glaring was the partiality, the gipsies. These schools are recruited in the that Mr. Justice Osborne felt it his duty to bind same manner as the Janizaries at the time of their over the acquitted, but not absolved assassin, in enrolment under Amurath, and the gipsies of the large recognizances, thus for a time taking away his present day, with stolen children, with children license to kill Catholics. decoyed and kidnapped from their Catholic conAre the very laws passed in their favor observed? nexions by their rich and powerful Protestant They are rendered nugatory in trivial as in serious neighbors: this is notorious, and one instance may cases. By a late act, Catholic chaplains are per-suffice to show in what manner. The sister of a mitted in jails, but in Fermanagh county the grand Mr. Carthy (a Catholic gentleman of very conjury lately persisted in presenting a suspended cler-siderable property) died, leaving two girls, who gyman for the office, thereby evading the statute, were immediately marked out as proselytes, and notwithstanding the most pressing remonstrances conveyed to the charter school of Coolgreny. Their of a most respectable magistrate, named Fletcher, uncle, on being apprized of the fact, which took to the contrary. Such is law, such is justice, for the place during his absence, applied for the restitution happy, free, contented Catholic! of his nieces, offering to settle an independence on It has been asked in another place, why do not these relations; his request was refused, and not the rich Catholics endow foundations for the educa- till after five years' struggle, and the interference tion of the priesthood? Why do you not permit of very high authority, could this Catholic gentlethem to do so? Why are all such bequests subject man obtain back his nearest of kindred from a to the interference, the vexatious, arbitrary, pecu- charity charter school. In this manner are proselating interference of the Orange commissioners for lytes obtained, and mingled with the offspring of charitable donations? such Protestants as may avail themselves of the As to Maynooth college, in no instance, except institution. And how are they taught? A cateat the time of its foundation, when a noble Lord chism is put into their hands consisting of, I believe, (Camden), at the head of the Irish administration, forty-five pages, in which are three questions reladid appear to interest himself in its advancement; tive to the Protestant religion; one of these queries and during the government of a noble Duke (Bed- is, "Where was the Protestant religion before Luford), who, like his ancestors, has ever been the ther?" Answer, "In the Gospel." The remaining friend of freedom and mankind, and who has not so forty-four pages and a half regard the damnable far adopted the selfish policy of the day as to ex-idolatry of Papists! clude the Catholics from the number of his fellow- Allow me to ask our spiritual pastors and mascreatures; with these exceptions, in no instance ters, is this training up a child in the way which be has that institution been properly encouraged. should go? Is this the religion of the Gospel before There was indeed a time when the Catholic clergy the time of Luther? that religion which preaches were conciliated, while the Union was pending, that Peace on earth, and glory to God?" Is it bringUnion which could not be carried without them, ing up infants to be men or devils? Better would while their assistance was requisite in procuring it be to send them any where than teach them such addresses from the Catholic counties; then they doctrines; better send them to those islands in the were cajoled and caressed, feared and flattered, and South Seas, where they might more humanely learn given to understand that "the Union would do to become cannibals; it would be less disgusting every thing;" but, the moment it was passed, they that they were brought up to devour the dead, than were driven back with contempt into their former persecute the living. Schools, do you call them? obscurity. call them rather dunghills, where the viper of in In the contempt pursued towards Maynooth col-tolerance deposits her young, that, when their teeth lege, every thing is done to irritate and perplex-are cut and their poison is mature, they may issue every thing is done to efface the slightest impres-forth, filthy and venomous, to sting the Catholic. sion of gratitude from the Catholic mind; the very But are these the doctrines of the Church of Enghay made upon the lawn, the fat and tallow of the land, or of churchmen? No; the most enlightened beef and mutton allowed, must be paid for and churchmen are of a different opinion. What says accounted upon oath. It is true, this economy in Paley? "I perceive no reason why men of different miniature cannot be sufficiently commended, par-religious persuasions, should not sit upon the same ticularly at a time when only the insect defaulters bench, deliberate in the same council, or fight in the of the treasury, your Hunts and your Chinnerys, same ranks, as well as men of various religious opinwhen only these "gilded bugs" can escape the ions, upon any controverted topic of natural history, microscopic eye of ministers. But when you come philosophy, or ethics." It may be answered that forward session after session, as your paltry pittance Paley was not strictly orthodox; I know nothing of is wrung from you with wrangling and reluctance, his orthodoxy, but who will deny that he was an to boast of your liberality, well might the Catholic ornament to the church, to human nature, to Christexclaim, in the words of Prior,ianity? "To John I owe some obligation, But John unluckily thinks fit To publish it to all the nation, So John and I am more than quit." I shall not dwell upon the grievance of tithes, so severely felt by the peasantry, but it may be proper to observe that there is an addition to the burden, a percentage to the gatherer, whose interest it thus becomes to rate them as highly as possible, and we Some persons have compared the Catholics to the know that in many large livings in Ireland, the only beggar in Gil Blas. Who made them beggars? resident Protestants are the tithe-proctor and hir Who are enriched with the spoils of their ances-family Among many causes of irritation, too numerous petually flashing before their eyes, particularly when for recapitulation, there is one in the militia not to their eyes are shut, (as those of the persons to whom be passed over-I mean the existence of Orange I allude have long been,) it is impossible to conlodges amongst the privates; can the officers deny vince these poor creatures, that the fire against this? And if such lodges do exist, do they, can which they are perpetually warning us and themthey tend to promote harmony amongst the men, selves, is nothing but an ignis fatuus of their own who are thus individually separated in society, al- drivelling imaginations. What rhubarb, senna, or though mingled in the ranks? And is this general" what purgative drug can scour that fancy thence?" system of persecution to be permitted, or is it to be It is impossible, they are given over, theirs is the believed that with such a system the Catholics can true or ought to be contented? If they are, they belie human nature; they are then, indeed, unworthy to "Caput insanabile tribus Anticyria." be any thing but the slaves you have made them. These are your true Protestants. Like Bayle, who The facts stated are from most respectable authority, protested against all sects whatsoever, so do they or I should not have dared in this place, or any protest against Catholic petitions, Protestant petíplace, to hazard this avowal. If exaggerated, there tions, all redress, all that reason, humanity, policy, are plenty, as willing as I believe them to be unable, justice, and common sense, can urge against the to disprove them. Should it be objected that I delusions of their absurd delirium. These are the never was in Ireland, I beg leave to observe, that it persons who reverse the fable of the mountain that is as easy to know something of Ireland without brought forth a mouse; they are the mice who conhaving been there, as it appears with some to have ceive themselves in labor with mountains. been born, bred, and cherished there, and yet remain ignorant of its best interests. To return to the Catholics, suppose the Irish were actually contented under their disabilities, But there are, who assert that the Catholics have suppose them capable of such a bull as not to desire already been too much indulged: see (cry they) deliverance, ought we not to wish it for ourselves? what has been done: we have given them one entire Have we nothing to gain by their emancipation? college, we allow them food and raiment, the full What resources have been wasted! What talents enjoyment of the elements, and leave to fight for us have been lost by the selfish system of exclusion! as long as they have limbs and lives to offer; and You already know the value of Irish aid; at this yet they are never to be satisfied! Generous and moment the defence of England is intrusted to the just declaimers! To this, and to this only, amount Irish militia: at this moment, while the starving the whole of your arguments when stript of their people are rising in the fierceness of despair, the sophistry. These personages remind me of the Irish are faithful to their trust. But till equal story of a certain drummer, who being called upon energy is imparted throughout by the extension of in the course of duty to administer punishment to freedom, you cannot enjoy the full benefit of the a friend tied to the halberts, was requested to flog strength which you are glad to interpose between high, he did-to flog low, he did-to flog in the you and destruction. Ireland has done much, but middle, he did-high, low, down the middle, and up will do more. At this moment the only triumph again, but all in vain, the patient continued his obtained through long years of continental disaster complaints with the most provoking pertinacity, has been achieved by an Irish general; it is true he until the drummer, exhausted and angry, flung down is not a Catholic; had he been so, we should have his scourge, exclaiming, "the devil burn you, there's been deprived of his exertions; but I presume no no pleasing you, flog where one will!" Thus it is, one will assert that his religion would have impaired you have flogged the Catholic, high, low, here, his talents or diminished his patriotism, though in there, and every where, and then you wonder he is that case he must have conquered in the ranks, for not pleased. It is true, that time, experience, and he never could have commanded an army. that weariness which attends even the exercise of But while he is fighting the battles of the Cathobarbarity, have taught you to flog a little more lies abroad, his noble brother has this night advogently, but still you continue to lay on the lash, and will so continue, till perhaps the rod may be wrested from your hands, and applied to the backs of yourselves and your posterity. cated their cause, with an eloquence which I shall not depreciate by the humble tribute of my panegyric, whilst a third of his kindred, as unlike as unequal, has been combating against his Catholic It was said by somebody in a former debate, (I brethren in Dublin, with circular letters, edicts, proforget by whom, and am not very anxious to remem- clamations, arrests, and dispersions-all the vexaber,) if the Catholics are emancipated, why not the tious implements of petty warfare that could be Jews? If this sentiment was dictated by compas- wielded by the mercenary guerillas of government, sion for the Jews, it might deserve attention, but as -clad in the rusty armor of their obsolete statutes. a sneer against the Catholic, what is it but the lan- Your lordships will, doubtless, divide new honors guage of Shylock transferred from his daughter's between the saviour of Portugal, and the dispenser marriage to Catholic emancipation "Would any of the tribe of Barrabbas Should have it rather than a Christian." I presume a Catholic is a Christian, even in the opinion of him whose taste only can be called in question for his preference of the Jews. of delegates. It is singular, indeed, to observe the difference between our foreign and domestic policy; if Catholic Spain, faithful Portugal, or the no less Catholic and faithful king of the one Sicily, (of which, by-the-by, you have lately deprived him,) stand in need of succor, away goes a fleet and an army, an ambassador and a subsidy, sometimes to fight pretty hardly, generally to negotiate very badly, It is a remark often quoted of Dr. Johnson, and always to pay very dearly for our Popish allies. (whom I take to be almost as good authority as the But let four millions of fellow-subjects pray for gentle apostle of intolerance, Dr. Duigenan,) that relief, who fight and pay and labor in your behalf, he who could entertain serious apprehensions of they must be treated as aliens, and although their danger to the Church in these times, would have "father's house has many mansions," there is no "cried fire in the deluge." This is more than a resting-place for them. Allow me to ask, are you metaphor, for a remnant of these antediluvians not fighting for the emancipation of Ferdinand the appear actually to have come down to us, with fire Seventh, who certainly is a fool, and consequently, in their mouths and water in their brains, to disturb in all probability, a bigot; and have you more reand perplex mankind with their whimsical outcries. gard for a foreign sovereign than your own fellowAnd as it is an infallible symptom of that distres- subjects, who are not fools, for they know your sing malady with which I conceive them to be af- interest better than you know your own; who are flicted, (so any doctor will inform your lordships,) not bigots, for they return you good for evil; but for the unhappy invalids to perceive a flame per- who are in worse durance than the prison of an |