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    tiou in saying , that the pressure of present circumstances was so great , that he waswilliugto incur those dangers , rather than , iu the existing situation of the country , to endure not only the continuance , but the aggravation , of the present system . ( Hear > hear ) Looking to the position of the country—to the position

    of the legislature—to the disuuion which had prevailed between Ministers—to the disunion which for years had marked the proceedings of two branches of the legislature—and looking to the effect which these two causes produced on the state of Ireland ;—considering these things , he must say , that there appeared to him to

    be sufficient reasons to induce him to accept of almost any alternative . ( Henry hear . ) Upon a review of all the circumstances of the times , he was firmly of opinion , that no administration could be formed on the principle of paramount resistance to concession to the Catholics , and therefore there was but one

    alternative , viz . a consideration of the question with a view to the final settlement . In four out of five Parliaments , the Commons * House had resolved in favour of Catholic Emancipation ; and certainly the differences between the two Houses on such a question was an evil , and another reason why it should be brought to an issue . It was , therefore , the intention of Ministers to propose a permanent settlement of the question on satisfactory grounds .

    [ Cheers . ) It was their intention to effect the removal of civil and political disabilities ( cheers ) , subject to those regulations which appeared necessary . Other measures were in contemplation , but the principle which Ministers had in view was to attempt a permanent settlement of the question , and the removal of civil disabilities arising from religious distinctions . ( Cheers . ) This was the general basis of the measure . It was not to be

    viewed in the light of a compact or coinpromise ; neither was it connected with negotiations with any foreign powers ; but it was a measure merely of domestic policy , which should , without interfering vvith the rights of the Crown , secure peace to the country , and have no reference whatever to any parties . ( Cheers . ) Religious distinctions having bern done

    away , they should also come to the other subjects connected with the affairs of Ireland in better temper . His Honourable Friend had taunted Ministers with being intimidated into concessions . In his opinion , no motive could be more justly branded ay ignominious than that which was usually termed cowardice . But there was a temper of mind much

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    more dangerous than this , though H might not be so base , —he meant the fear of being thought to be afraid . Base as a coward was , the man who abandoned himself to the fear of being thought a coward , displayed little less fortitude . His Majesty's Ministers had not been afraid of the Catholic Association . That intimidation had been

    resorted to he readily admitted . But it was put down by the Protestant spirit of the couutry . Fear , however , was by ntf means inconsistent with the character constants viri ; there were many subjects which it might be impossible for him not to contemplate without dread . He would tell his Honourable Friend , that the

    disorganization and disaffection of Ireland could not be looked upon without fear ( cheer ' s ) , and that to affect not to fear it would be to affect insensibility to the welfare of the country . ( Cheers . ) The opinions which he now expressed were formed more than six mouths ago . At that time he communicated with his

    Noble Friend , and they were of opinion that it was not for the King ' s service , nor for the welfare of the country , that hostility to concessions to the Roman Catholics should still be persisted iu . They were of opinion that the time was come for a serious consideration of the

    question , and that there would be less evil in considering the question than in persevering to oppose it . He felt that ail personal feelings must be subordinate to public good , but he could not help feeling that his own position was materially different from that of any other minister , and he would willingly have retired from that interference in the

    settlement of the question which now devolved upou him . In the course of the discussious , however , his Noble Friend had said that his retirement would greatly embarrass him ; and this being the case , and it having been proved that difficulties would be increased if he

    pressed his retirement , —he said to his Noble Friend , that if such were to be the consequence , no consideration should induce him to urge his own personal wishes , but that he was ready to uphold a measure which he was firmly

    convinced had now become uecessary . Hw Noble Friend had thought it his duty to advise his Majesty to resort to the proposed measure , and would not allow the fear of any imputations which he felt to be unjust to influence his conduct . ( Cheers . )

    Mr . Brougham entirely concurred with the honourable gentleman who had just eat down , that this measure , great

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    Intelligence . —Catholic Question . 217

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), March 2, 1829, page 217, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2570/page/65/