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    r Mr . Ferguson and Mr . R . Palmer spoke strongly in favour of the motion , - Mr . Secretary Huskisson— " Looking abstractedly at the Test Acts , I certainly should feel regret at their continuance on the statute-book ; but I must confess I do equally regret that , under present circumstances , and at the present time , the Noble Lord has thought fit to

    bring forward this motion . [ This sentence was followed by mixed cheers , laughter , and murmurs . ] I trust I shall be permitted to offer such observations to the House as occur to me , and to state the grounds on which I entertain this opinion . " This motion was not directed against any evil of a pressing kind , but the agitation of the question was likely to produce mischief . It was by reason of his anxiety for the success

    of the general principle advocated by the Noble Mover , that he condemned the present motion as impolitic . " There is something revolting to one ' s feelings , " proceeded the Right Hon . Gentleman , " in continuing the law by which the first peer and the first duke of the realm is required to forfeit his privileges and his nghts , at the very time that we are displaying our liberality , by attempting to relieve excisemen from the

    disadvantages under which they labour ; and for the obtaining of which , I do not believe they would subscribe one day ' s pay . I feel satisfied , if this question should be carried , the Noble Lord will find—I do not mean to say among the well-educated part of the Protestant Dissenters , but among the greater proportion of that body—an additional and more vigorous opposition to the Catholic Question . "

    Lords Althorp and Nugent supported the motion , as did also Lord Milton . Mr . Secretary Peel said the same high authorities could not be produced in support of this motion as in favour of the Catholic Question . Sir Robert Walpole , Lord Chatham , and other Ministers favourable to the principle of civil equality , did not think it expedient to attempt the repeal of the Test Acts . «« With respect to later administrations , I beg the

    House to recollect , that Mr . Canning , too , expressed his determination to oppose the claims of the Dissenters . I do not say that he was opposed to them on the ground of abstract right , but he certainly did declare , in this House , during the last Session , his intention , and I believe the intention of his administration . ( Cries of « No , no . ' ) Well , then , 1 do not mean to add to his authority any of the opinions of those who acted with him ^ but , at least , it must be admitted

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    that he declared his Intention to oppose the Dissenters . " With regard to the alleged profanation of the sacrament by its use as a political test , the Indemnity Act saves those who take it from the profanation which is supposed to be attendant upon the consenting to such au act . ( Cries of 'No , no . *) I do not say that it does so iu priuciple ; but I

    contend that it must have that effect iu practice * I cannot , therefore , see the grievance to be so great as has been contended . I am not prepared , I confess , to argue this question as if the continuance of the Test and Corporation Acts was so essentially interwoven with the protection of the constitution , or the security of the Protestant Establishment ,

    that one or both must fail by the concession which the Dissenters require ; but considering that they form part of the ancient laws of au ancient monarchy , I am bound to recollect that they have been , as it were , interwoven with the manners of the people , and that they are not to be changed on a sudden , or

    without mature deliberation . " Dissenters were not practically excluded from municipal honours any more than from offices of state . The late Lord Mayor ( Aid . Brown ) was a Dissenter . " Whatever predominance is still retained in the law in favour of the Established Church , it is as slight as is consistent with the maintenance of an Established Church *

    What may be the issue of this debate I do not know ; but should it be in favour of the side which 1 advocate , I own that the triumph of success will be greatly qualified in my mind at the disappointment which may be given to a body whom I hold in the highest and roost deserved respect . " Sir Thomas Ac land , as a Church-of-Eugland man , was opposed to the maintenance of laws which did no good to the Church , and yet inflicted pain upon others .

    Mr . Brougham said the " wisdom of our ancestors" had been appealed to against the present motion ; and the Hon . Baronet ( Sir R . Inglis ) thought we should not despise the " wisdom of our ancestors . " That wisdom had , however , been disparaged long ago , not by ridicule , but by sound argument . It was

    a Lord High Chancellor of England that disparaged the praise bestowed on the * ' wisdom of our ancestors ; " it was a person of the name of Bacon , or some such name . ( A laugh ) He it was who reprobated the eternally-recurring praises of the wisdom of our ancestors ; he it was who laughed at the phrase " experience of past ages / ' as , in truth , said

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    274 lM $ Ulgefkces * -Corporation and Test Acte .

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), April 2, 1828, page 273, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2559/page/58/