very

promoter of the synod. The announcement was fairly, freely, distinctly made, that those persons were acting under and by the Papal authority, and directly contrary to the law of the land. And here he must say that the hon. Member for Manchester had made a most unfortunate reference to this subject the other night, when he stated that ten of the bishops had been in favour of the provincial colleges, but that there were none now. And why were there none now? Because they no longer enjoyed free will

college to the cathedral. The police were | right hon. Gentleman would not maintain. under the orders of Gore Jones, Esq., that he had done so; and he ventured to R.M., and had a very imposing effect. prophesy that he never would do so. So, You may read in the newspapers of that when they passed from the manner to the period a detailed account of the procession. matter of the procession, they would find You may read the Freeman's Journal, the it illegal all through. The prelate who Tipperary Free Press, the Limerick Re- signed himself "Paul, Primate" - Dr. porter, and the Nenagh Vindicator. It Cullen, and, personally, he desired not to was thought in Thurles that the synod was say one word disrespectful of him-but sanctioned by the Government, or Mr. that prelate signed himself "Paul, Primate Gore Jones and the police would not have of all Ireland.' The second name to the attended. The Hon. Mr. French, the po- document or decree issued by him was lice magistrate from Cashel, was also pre-signed by "John, Bishop of Clonfert," the sent, as were many other persons holding places under the Government. However, few Protestants showed themselves in Thurles during that time." And then there was given an account of the decorations of the clergy; of the robes of the Franciscans, and Augustines, and of every other order known in the Roman Catholic Church, with the splendid pageant of the Primate and the bishops, with crosses and banners; and then it was stated that as the Papal Legate passed, the people knelt down to receive the Pontificial benediction, and paid to him the same honours that foreign influence had crushed them. were due to the Pope himself. And how Against their reason and conscience those justly did the leading journal of the Roman bishops had been compelled to condemn Catholic party triumph in such an event colleges which they knew were for the as this: there was a boldness and a can- good of Ireland. He had hoped that dour in its avowal which he liked. The the University of Dublin and the schools Parliament had passed an Act by which throughout the country might have been the Orangemen of Ireland were forbidden spared; but no, in the same spirit in which to hold their processions, lest their doing the provincial colleges were condemned, so should be regarded as an insult to the every other school and university was conRoman Catholics, although those proces- demned-every place of education where sions were in honour of that anniversary Protestants might meet their Roman Cawhich had given liberty to them, and lib-tholic fellow-countrymen, and enjoy the erty to their fellow-subjects in England. But whilst they were forbidden to do this, yet here was a procession of Romish ecclesiastics in the broad daylight. Had any notice been taken of that? He called upon the Attorney General for Ireland to answer him. In no spirit of discourtesy, and with no feeling of disrespect, he called upon the Attorney General for Ireland, as the head of his profession, as the uncorrupted guardian of the public peace, as the firm asserter of the dignity and power of the law, he called upon the right hon. Gen-pastors set at nought." tleman to state now, and in presence of that House, whether in his communications with the stipendiary magistrate, or with the head of the constabulary, he had heard of this procession; whether he deemed it legal; and, if not legal, whether he had asserted the law, and punished the transgressors? He ventured to think that the Mr. Whiteside

blessings of mixed education - all were condemned. [Cries of" No, no!"] With great respect for those who expressed dis-sent, it was so; and he referred to the words of Dr. Cullen in synod on the subject :

"The solemn warning which we address to you against the dangers of those collegiate institutions extends, of course, to every similar establishment known to be replete with danger to the faith and morals of your children-to every school in which the doctrines and practices of your Church are impugned, and the legitimate authority of your

The University of Dublin would come under this denunciation. It was established for Protestants; the Protestant religion was daily taught there, and its practices were enforced. If, then, a system of mixed education had previously been approved of, it would baffle the intellect to discover any reasonable cause why the

Protestant colleges should have provoked | native country, there ought not to have indignation, if that indignation was sincere, been an admission made as to the conunless 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

age or sex, sickness or health, and flung upon the highway to perish in the extremity of want. But let not the oppressor and the wrong-doer imagine that the arm of the Lord is shortened in Israel. For He will not accept any person against a poor man, and He will hear the prayer of him that is wronged. He will not despise the prayers of the fatherless, nor the widow, when she poureth forth her complaint. Do not the widow's tears run down her cheeks, and her ery against him that causeth them to fall? For from the cheek they go up even to heaven, and the Lord that heareth will not be delighted with them'-(Eccles., chap. XXXV., V. 16, 17, 18, 19). And again, Do not violence to the poor man, because he is poor, and do not oppress the needy in the gate. Because the Lord will judge his cause, and will afflict them that have afflicted his soul'-(Proverbs, chap. xxii., v. 22, 23). Hence the woes pronounced by St. James against the perpetrators of such cruelties. Go now, ye rich men, weep and howl in your miseries which shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. Your gold and silver is cankered, and the rust of them shall be for a testimony against you, and shall eat your flesh like fire. You have stored up for yourselves wrath against the last days, uphold the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which by fraud has been kept back by you, crieth, and the cry of them hath entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. You tere feasted upon earth, and in righteousness you have nourished your hearts in the days of slaughter'-(St. James, chap. v., v. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5).”

It was known to the House what a severe, although just, commentary had been pronounced upon these passages by

the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.

dition 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. It was by the Pope's nominees the synodical declaration was signed; it was as the delegate of the Pope, Dr. Cullen acted, and the act was illegal-these bishops signed the decree of the Synod, assembled under the edict of the Pope, and in so doing they acted illegally. He said, that if the legal evidence was as strong as the moral conviction as to what had been done, then there had been a clear and open violation of the law. Well, then, what notice of all these proceedings had been taken by the authorities in Ireland? None whatever.

and believe that Archbishop Cullen, having He could perfectly well understand passed all his life in a despotic countryhaving seen there the Papal Legate wielding supreme authority in the State, and that all bowed down before him who exercised it, thought that the same authority could in Ireland be exercised in a similar manner, and with a like effect as in Rome. He had voted the other night in support of had encouraged these encroachments, to a proposition, affirming that the Ministers which reference had been made by the hon. Gentleman who had last spoken. He had voted for that proposition coerced by facts which had come under his own observation, and to which he desired to attract the notice of the House. It was with the utmost pain that he referred to this subject; but as he voted for what he believed to be the truth, he wished now to state his reasons for the vote he then gave. And

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 RoVOL. CXVI. [THIRD SERIES.]

3 B

take the title; but that was a mistake.
The words of the Act of Parliament were,
not only that the Romish bishops were not
to take a title belonging to another, but
that they are not to take any title unless
by law authorised to do so. How then
comes the individual so signing himself to
be "Archbishop of Tuam?" As to the

was manifestly and indisputably illegal.
Of course he who was responsible to the
country for the observance of law and order,
might have been expected to have cor-
rected that illegal assumption of titles; but
what would be thought when it was known
that for five days Lord Clarendon had that
address before him; and, not noticing this
illegal assumption, he gave to the Roman
Catholic bishops those titles which they
had so long coveted, and to the obtaining
of which they had been making encroach-
ments, and were preparing to make fur-
ther, for Lord Clarendon styled them "my
lords," and " your grace, thanked them
for their address, and hoped he should
be aided by the counsels of "their lord-
ships" in managing the affairs of Ireland?
What, then, must have been the opinions
of these persons on seeing that official re-
ply? What must have been the opinion of
those prelates when this reply was made to
them, but that they were at liberty to use

man Catholic bishops should not assume | Tuam, the Catholic prelate might legally
the territorial titles belonging to Protestant
sees. That Act was one of which the Ro-
man Catholic bishops themselves had de-
clared their approbation; he had before
him their pastoral address, issued after
the Act was passed, declaring their grati-
tude for emancipation with throbbing
hearts, and calling on the people of Ire-
land to respect the enlightened Parliament" Bishop of Clonfert," it was a title that
which passed that law-asserting that they
would obey the law, which they regarded
as a pledge of tranquillity for the future;
and, to show their sincerity, they signed a
document, in which they made a solemn
declaration by the titles which the law
permitted them to use. The same law
which existed then existed now, and the
same rights which they had then they had
now, and none other. If he remembered
rightly, when he was in the university, he
paid his shilling to hear the late Master of
the Mint (Mr. Sheil) express, in a burst of
enthusiastic eloquence, the gratitude which
the Roman Catholic laity felt for the pas-
sing of the measure of emancipation. By
that law it was clear that the Roman
Catholic Primate had no right to the title
he assumed. The law being clear, then,
with respect to the forbidden titles, one
would have imagined that the upholders
of the law in that country would have paid
implicit respect to it themselves, and seen
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. If,
his language was fascinating, and there when he saw the address presented, signed,
was everything to recommend him to the "John, Archbishop of Tuam," Lord Clar-
public favour. But what was Lord Cla-endon had consulted the first law officer of
rendon's conduct as connected with these the Crown in Ireland, he would have told
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 Par-
of the Synod of Thurles. Were such sig-liament. Had the matter remained there,
natures legal? It might be argued to be it would have been bad enough. But it
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

66

was not all. A few days afterwards Lord
Clarendon unfortunately undertook to ex-
plain 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, and which was enshrined in their hearts and affections. He had been astonished also to hear the hon. Gentleman, who was such an asserter of popular rights, ridiculing the public meetings which had taken place in various parts of England, and asserting that Parliament ought not to yield to a popular cry. Such was the sentiment of one of the most distinguished champions of the people, and he was astonished to hear it. The speech of the hon. and learned Gentleman the Member for Athlone had filled him, he must con

They imitate your industry, admire your virtue, profess your faith, love your laws; and if you be true to yourselves, and just to them, rather than separate from, they would be content to perish with you. As to myself, I cling to the hope of the prosperity of the whole body of the Irish people; and, according to my political faith, a consummation so glorious would be accomplished if all classes of my countrymen. would permit themselves to be directed by your counsels, guided by your wisdom, and inspired by your example.

INDEX.

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.
journed. cl., Clause.---add. cl., Additional Clause.-neg., Negatived. l., Lords.-
-m. q., Main Question..
Question.-r. p., Report Progress.-A., Ayes.- N., Noes.-M., Majority. 1st Div., 2nd Div.
-o. q., Original Question.-o. m., Original Motion.-p. q., Previous
-c., Commons
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,

Ecclesiastical Titles Assumption, Com. 1007

c. 2R. 367; Amend. (Mr. Newdegate), 382, AGLIONBY, Mr. H. A.,
[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

-The Derby, Motion (Major Beresford), 1162;
Question (Mr. Bright), 1328

Cockermouth

Assessed Taxes Act, Res. 179

Convents-Petition of the Rev. P. Connelly, 934
Count Out, The, 944

Ecclesiastical Titles Assumption, Com. The
Preamble, 1139

Income and Property Tax, Comm. moved for,

729

Malt Tax, Leave, 693

Property Tax, Com. cl. 1, 437; cl. 2, 535
St. Albans Bribery Commission, Com. 1464
St. Albans Election, 22, 24, 25, 148, 156, 160,
218, 222, 225

Agricultural Distress - 'The Assessed
Taxes Act,

c. Com. Amend. (Mr. Disraeli), 26; Amend.
Adj. (Mr. Newdegate), 106; Motion with-
drawn, 118, [o. q. A. 263, N. 250, M. 13] ib.

ALCOCK, Mr. T., Surrey, E.
Agricultural Distress, 70
Malt Tax, Leave, 690
Property Tax, Com. cl. 1, 522

Administration of Criminal Justice Im- ANSTEY, Mr. T. C., Youghal

provement Bill,

1. Rep. 676; Com. 1153

Advertising Vans, &c.,

c. Return moved for (Colonel Sibthorp), 206,

945

Abjuration, Oath of (Jews), 2R. 404
Convents-Petition of the Rev. P. Connelly,

933

Ecclesiastical Titles Assumption, Com. 890;
cl. 1, 1372, 1435, 1437, 1439, 1451
Irish Political Convicts, 588, 590