nsane, and, at the same time, more pernicious than to proclaim the rights
of man, in trampling upon those of heaven--in establishing liberty on the
ruins of religion--in making laws, under the dictation of passion, or
through the inspiration of sacrilege--and, finally, they convinced him,
that to _regenerate_ a people, religion is omnipotent--philosophy of little
or no avail."

In alluding to the well-known piety of O'Connell, the preacher said: "What
more moving spectacle than to see the greatest man in the United
Kingdom--to see him, who was the object of Ireland's devotion, of England's
fear, and of the world's admiration, kneeling with the people before the
altar, practicing the piety of the people, with that humble simplicity,
that recollection, that devoutness, and that modesty, which supercilious
science and stolid pride abandon as things fit only to be followed by
those whom they disdain as the people?"

It is matter of notoriety that the Tory party, whose death-knell was soon
to be tolled, constantly poured on the great Irish Tribune the most
scurrilous abuse. One of the mock titles with which they honored him was
that of "King of the Beggars." Such pitiful ribaldry awakened the highest
powers of the Roman orator. "Poor, miserable, and most pitiful fatuity
which, while intending to mock, actually did him honor. For, what
sovereignty is more beautiful than that whose tribute is not wrung from
unwilling fear, but that is a voluntary, love-inspired offering? What
sovereignty is more glorious than that whose sword is the pen, and whose
only artillery the tongue; whose only couriers are the poor, and its sole
bodyguard the affections of the people? What sovereignty more beneficent
than that which, far from causing tears to flow, dries them; which, far
from shedding blood, stanches it; which, far from immolating life,
preserves it; which, far from pressing down upon the people, elevates
them; which, far from forging chains, breaks them; and which always
maintains order, harmony and peace, without ever inflicting the slightest
aggression on liberty? Where is the monarch who would not esteem himself
happy in reigning thus? Of such a sovereignty, we may with truth say what
was said of Solomon's, that none can equal its grandeur, its glory and its
magnificence."

So favorable an opportunity for instructing the Italians was not thrown
away. False liberty was already strewing their path with its meretricious
allurements.