Protestant colleges should have provoked indignation, if that indignation was sincere, unless it was actuated, as he suspected it was, by a wish to revenge upon England her supposed interference in the affairs of Italy. But the synod did not confine itself to this duty alone. It told the people how the rich ought to be dealt with, that is, if there were any rich still to be found in Ireland. It held them up as tyrants to the people; and the sentence pronounced upon those branded as the rich, he was sorry to find coming from the Christian head of a Christian Church. The synod temperately described the rich, and then applied to them words perverted from the Scriptures : "The desolating track of the exterminator is to be traced in too many parts of the country-in those levelled cottages and roofless abodes, whence so many virtuous and industrious families have been torn by brute force, without distinction of native country, there ought not to have been an admission made as to the condition of the gentry of the south and west of Ireland, and that their last shilling had been taken from them, under the pressure of the poor-law which it was difficult for them to bear? When this was said, ought not the admission to have been made, if it was intended to speak the whole truth, that the poor were not utterly neglectedthat in the city of Armagh, with which he was better acquainted than Dr. Cullen, there were no better institutions to be found in any place throughout England for the maintenance of the poor? Such was the matter and the manner in which the Synod of Thurles was conducted. That it was illegal, who denied? Nobody denied it. the synodical declaration was signed; it It was by the Pope's nominees was as the delegate of the Pope, Dr. Cullen age or sex, sickness or health, and flung upon the acted, and the act was illegal-these bihighway to perish in the extremity of want. But shops signed the decree of the Synod, let not the oppressor and the wrong-doer imagine assembled under the edict of the Pope, and that the arm of the Lord is shortened in Israel. in so doing they acted illegally. He said, For He will not accept any person against a poor that if the legal evidence was as strong as Iman, and He will hear the prayer of him that is wronged. He will not despise the prayers of the the moral conviction as to what had been fatherless, nor the widow, when she poureth forth done, then there had been a clear and open her complaint. Do not the widow's tears run violation of the law. Well, then, what nodown her cheeks, and her cry against him that tice of all these proceedings had been taken causeth them to fall? For from the cheek they go up even to heaven, and the Lord that heareth by the authorities in Ireland? None whatwill not be delighted with them'-(Eccles., chap. ever. He could perfectly well understand XXXV., V. 16, 17, 18, 19). And again, Do not vio- and believe that Archbishop Cullen, having lence to the poor man, because he is poor, and passed all his life in a despotic countrydie Lord will judge his cause, and will afflict them having seen there the Papal Legate wieldthat have afflicted his soul' (Proverbs, chap. ing supreme authority in the State, and xxii., v. 22, 23). Hence the woes pronounced by that all bowed down before him who exerSt. James against the perpetrators of such cruel-cised it, thought that the same authority St. Jan Go now, ye rich men, weep and howl in could in Ireland be exercised in a similar your miseries which shall come upon you. riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-anner, and with a like effect as in Rome. riches our gold and silver is cankered, and the He had voted the other night in support of a proposition, affirming that the Ministers rus shall eat your flesh like fire. You have stored had encouraged these encroachments, to ap for yourselves wrath against the last chays which reference had been made by the Behold the hire of the labourers who have reaped hon. Gentleman who had last spoken. He tered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. You facts which had come under his own obserback by you, crieth, and the cry of them hath en- had voted for that proposition coerced by have feasted upon earth, and in righteousness you vation, and to which he desired to attract have nourished your hearts in the days of slaugh- the notice of the House. It was with the do not oppress the needy in the gate. Because Your rust of them shall be for a testimony against you, down your fields, which by fraud has been kept ter'-(St. James, chap. v., v. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5).” utmost pain that he referred to this sub It was known to the House what aject; but as he voted for what he believed severe, although just, commentary had to be the truth, he wished now to state his been pronounced upon these passages by reasons for the vote he then gave. And the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. But let with reference to the conduct of the Irish them look upon that criticism as just or Administration he must say that there was unjust, he would ask if this was becoming a good deal of truth in what the hon. and conduct in a spiritual synod, assembled for learned Member for Athlone had said. purposes that were purely spiritual? He On the day that Lord Clarendon arrived in asked if, having described the misery of Ireland the Catholic Emancipation Act the poor, and their sufferings in their was in force-that Act which declared Ro VOL. CXVI. [THIRD SERIES.] 3 B man Catholic bishops should not assume | Tuam, the Catholic prelate might legally the territorial titles belonging to Protestant take the title; but that was a mistake. sees. That Act was one of which the Ro- The words of the Act of Parliament were, man Catholic bishops themselves had de- not only that the Romish bishops were not clared their approbation; he had before to take a title belonging to another, but him their pastoral address, issued after that they are not to take any title unless the Act was passed, declaring their grati- by law authorised to do so. How then tude for emancipation with throbbing comes the individual so signing himself to hearts, and calling on the people of Ire- be" Archbishop of Tuam?" As to the land to respect the enlightened Parliament " Bishop of Clonfert," it was a title that which passed that law-asserting that they was manifestly and indisputably illegal. would obey the law, which they regarded Of course he who was responsible to the as a pledge of tranquillity for the future; country for the observance of law and order, and, to show their sincerity, they signed a might have been expected to have cordocument, in which they made a solemn rected that illegal assumption of titles; but declaration by the titles which the law what would be thought when it was known permitted them to use. The same law that for five days Lord Clarendon had that which existed then existed now, and the address before him; and, not noticing this same rights which they had then they had illegal assumption, he gave to the Roman now, and none other. If he remembered Catholic bishops those titles which they rightly, when he was in the university, he had so long coveted, and to the obtaining paid his shilling to hear the late Master of of which they had been making encroachthe Mint (Mr. Sheil) express, in a burst of ments, and were preparing to make furenthusiastic eloquence, the gratitude which ther, for Lord Clarendon styled them "my the Roman Catholic laity felt for the pas- lords," and "thanked them your grace, sing of the measure of emancipation. By for their address, and hoped he should that law it was clear that the Roman be aided by the counsels of "their lordCatholic Primate had no right to the title ships" in managing the affairs of Ireland? he assumed. The law being clear, then, What, then, must have been the opinions with respect to the forbidden titles, one of these persons on seeing that official rewould have imagined that the upholders ply? What must have been the opinion of of the law in that country would have paid those prelates when this reply was made to implicit respect to it themselves, and seen them, but that they were at liberty to use that it was enforced by others. Had the -not by usurpation, but by favour of the Executive Government done so? Now, Crown, represented in Ireland by Lord when Lord Clarendon arrived in Ireland Clarendon-those titles which the letter he was received by the Protestants most and spirit of the law, and the penalties of cordially; he was so received as the repre- the law, forbade them to use? From that sentative of their gracious and beloved time forth the Roman Catholic bishops had Queen; his manners were prepossessing, steadily pursued a consistent course. his language was fascinating, and there when he saw the address presented, signed, was everything to recommend him to the public favour. But what was Lord Clarendon's conduct as connected with these transactions? The Roman Catholic bi-him that the assumption of that title was shops addressed him shortly after his ar- clearly illegal; and then he should have rival in 1847. For several days before his told the Catholic bishops, that, while he elaborate and eloquent reply to that ad- would receive them courteously, and listen dress, a copy of it illegally signed was to them respectfully, because they were placed before him. That address he saw entitled to be courteously received and signed by "John, Archbishop of Tuam," respectfully listened to, as the bishops of and "John Derry, Bishop of Clonfert "- a great portion of the people of Ireland, the same Bishop of Clonfert who signed he would not sanction their violation of the the address and proclaimed the commands law, and an open breach of an Act of Parof the Synod of Thurles. Were such sig-liament. Had the matter remained there, natures legal? It might be argued to be an unintentional infringement of the law to use the signature "John, Archbishop of Tuam." It might be suggested, that there being no Protestant Archbishop of Mr. Whiteside If, John, Archbishop of Tuam," Lord Clarendon had consulted the first law officer of the Crown in Ireland, he would have told it would have been bad enough. But it was not all. A few days afterwards Lord Clarendon unfortunately undertook to explain the Charitable Bequests Act, and in so doing gave to the Roman Catholic bishops jurisdiction and titles to which | fess, with regret. If the hon. Gentleman. they had no claim. Lord Clarendon ad- had appealed to the Parliament's sense of dressed a letter to the Secretary of the justice, he should have heard him with Colonies (Earl Grey), stating that the Act pleasure; but he did not expect that in a of Parliament (the Bequests Act) had as- British House of Commons the hon. Gencertained the rank of the Roman Catholic tleman would have appealed to any sentiprelates, and advised that it should be ment of fear, except the fear of doing ingiven to them in the Colonies, thus bring- justice. If the hon. Gentleman was in ing confusion into the Colonies by the earnest in saying that he would ensure this Roman Catholic prelates claiming a rank country twenty years of angry agitation in superior to that of the bishops of the Ireland [Mr. KEOGH: I said no such Church of England. It was afterwards thing.] He certainly understood the hon. admitted that this was a wrong construc- Gentleman to say that he would draw the tion of the statute, and the blame was cast sword and never sheathe it until he had by the noble Lord at the head of the Colo- obtained vengeance over the oppressors, nies on Lord Clarendon. There was next and that the people of Ireland would agree the Gazette, specifying the rank of distin- with him in that sentiment. He denied guished persons at the levee when Her both the hon. Gentleman's facts and his Majesty visited Ireland; and rank was then inferences. The Protestant people of Iregiven to the Roman Catholic archbishops land, in number at least 2,500,000-[ Cries above the peerage of the realm; all these of "Oh!" from the Roman Catholic facts induced the prelates of the Church of benches.] Yes. When Sir Robert Peel Rome to believe they might safely assume proposed the measure of Roman Catholic the titles they coveted. There were two Emancipation he said there were 1,200,000 speeches which had been delivered in the Protestants in Ulster alone. Now, it was course of the discussions on the Ecclesias- sometimes alleged that Connaught was tical Titles Bill, the one by the hon. Mem- nearly desolate and waste. Thus, when it ber for Manchester (Mr. Bright), and the was desired by those who agreed with the other by the hon. and learned Member for hon. Member for Athlone to intimidate Athlone, on which he wished, before con- Parliament, it was said that they, the Irish cluding, to make a few remarks. To the Roman Catholics, were 8,000,000; but speech of the hon. Member for Manchester, when it was thought necessary to assail he was afraid he was not at liberty to al- Imperial Legislation, then it was reprelude, as he was not present. As to the sented that Ireland had lost 2,000,000 speech of the hon. Member for Manchester of her population by that legislation. If, (Mr. Bright), he should have wished to say as the hon. Gentleman had asserted, it a few words in reply, but he believed it were true, as he hoped it was not true, would not be according to the usages of that the Roman Catholic people of Ireland the House to do so, as the hon. Member would, because the ancient law of the land was not then in his place. He should have was asserted, depriving them of no right, wished to say a word in defence of that combine against England, then he (Mr. Church which the hon. Member had so un-Whiteside) must say, on the part of the sparingly assailed; and he confessed it was Protestant people of that country, that in with as much astonishment as regret he had heart, affection, and action, they would be heard that hon. Gentleman so unsparingly with England. In all periods of their attack a Church in which a great majo-history they have adhered to this country. rity of his fellow-countrymen believed, They imitate your industry, admire your and which was enshrined in their hearts virtue, profess your faith, love your laws; and affections. He had been astonished and if you be true to yourselves, and just also to hear the hon. Gentleman, who was to them, rather than separate from, they such an asserter of popular rights, ridicul- would be content to perish with you. As ing the public meetings which had taken to myself, I cling to the hope of the prosperplace in various parts of England, and ity of the whole body of the Irish people; asserting that Parliament ought not to and, according to my political faith, a conyield to a popular cry. Such was the sensummation so glorious would be accomtiment of one of the most distinguished plished if all classes of my countrymen champions of the people, and he was would permit themselves to be directed by astonished to hear it. The speech of the your counsels, guided by your wisdom, and hon. and learned Gentleman the Member inspired by your example. for Athlone had filled him, he must con 3 B 2 INDEX. INDEX ΤΟ HANSARD'S PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES, VOLUME CXVI. BEING THE THIRD VOLUME OF SESSION 1851. EXPLANATION OF THE ABBREVIATIONS. 1R. 2R. 3R. First, Second, or Third Reading. —Amend., Amendment.-Res., Resolution. --Comm. Select Committee.-Com. Committed.- Re-Com., Re-committed.-- Rep., Reported.-Adj., Ad. -C., Commons journed.-cl., Clause.--add. cl., Additional Clause.-neg., Negatived. l., Lords.-m. q., Main Question.- —o. q., Original Question.-o. m., Original Motion.- p. q., Previous Question.-r. p., Report Progress.-A., Ayes.- N., Noes.-M., Majority.- 1st Div., 2nd Div. First or Second Division. When in the Text or in the Index a Speech is marked thus, it indicates that the Speech is reprinted from a Pamphlet or some authorised Report. When in this Index a* is added to the Reading of a Bill, it indicates that no Debate took place upon that stage of the measure. ABERDEEN, Earl of Episcopal and Capitular Estates, 2R. 1232 Abjuration, Oath of (Jews), Bill, c. 2R. 367: Amend. (Mr. Newdegate), 382, AGLIONBY, Mr. H. A., Cockermouth [o. q. A. 202, N. 177, M. 25] 409 ACLAND, Sir T. D., Devonshire, N. Agricultural Distress, 115 Ecclesiastical Titles Assumption, Com. 833 Income and Property Tax, Comm. moved for, 730 Property Tax, Com. cl. 1, 522, 525 ADDERLEY, Mr. C. B., Staffordshire, N. Kaffir War, Address moved, 226, 285, 1327, Aden, Murder of a British Officer at, c. Motion (Lord J. Russell), 342; Amend. -The Derby, Motion (Major Beresford), 1162; Assessed Taxes Act, Res. 179 Convents-Petition of the Rev. P. Connelly, 934 Ecclesiastical Titles Assumption, Com. The Income and Property Tax, Comm. moved for, 729 Malt Tax, Leave, 693 Property Tax, Com. cl. 1, 437; cl. 2, 535 Agricultural Distress - 'The Assessed c. Com. Amend. (Mr. Disraeli), 26; Amend. ALCOCK, Mr. T., Surrey, E. Administration of Criminal Justice Im- ANSTEY, Mr. T. C., Youghal provement Bill, 7. Rep. 676; Com. 1153 Advertising Vans, &c., c. Return moved for (Colonel Sibthorp), 206, 945 Abjuration, Oath of (Jews), 2R. 404 933 Ecclesiastical Titles Assumption, Com. 890 ; ANSTEY, Mr. T. C.-continued. Religious Houses, 2R. 984 St. Albans Election, 25, 156 {INDEX} Sunday Trading Prevention, Com. Amend. 361 Appointments to Offices, &c., Bill, c. 1R. 416; 2R.* 510; 3R.* 1327 Apprentices and Servants Bill, 1. 3R. 677; Amend. (Lord Portman), 679; Royal Assent, 1153 AUD BEN Audit of Railway Accounts Bill, c. Com. 655; Amend. (Mr. Chaplin), 662, [o.q. cl. 1, Amend. (Mr. E. B. Denison), 666; Amend. cl. 8, Amend. (Mr. H. Brown), 673, [o. q. A. 57, Aylesbury Election, c. Petition (Mr. Roundell Palmer), 416 BAILLIE, Mr. H. J., Inverness-shire BARING, Rt. Hon. Sir F. T., Portsmouth Assistant Surgeons in the Navy, 566 Navy, Promotion in the, 563 BARING, Mr. T., Huntingdon Coffee Duties Act, Res. 179 BARRON, Sir H. W., Waterford, City BASS, Mr. M. T., Derby Hop Duty, Address moved, 570, 572, 573 Malt Tax, Leave, 718 BEAUMONT, Lord Apprentices and Servants, 3R. 677 Assurances, Registration of, Rep. 1160, 1311, 1314 Property Tax, 2R. 1085 Railways in the South of Ireland, 126 BELL, Mr. J., St. Albans Kaffir War, Address moved, 281 c. 1R.* 938 |