, the member for
Kilkenny, for the adoption of this petition, it is not my
intention to follow into any of the polemical questions which,
in the course of his protracted speech, he has raised in this
Association. I am obliged, however, to say in candour that in
some of the views he has put forward I cannot agree.... We have
given a general concurrence in this Hall to the recommendation
that has emanated from the Catholic Hierarchy.... I am not
disposed to assist the Government in making those seminaries,
which ought to be seats of learning, filthy sties of corruption.
It is because I believe that such would become their character
if this tenth clause were to remain a legislative enactment that
I shall oppose it to the utmost."

The Reverend John Kenyon, then little known, rose to protest against the
course pursued by Mr. J. O'Connell, which he characterised as not only
uncatholic but unchristian. Mr. J. O'Connell, in the blandest tones,
deprecated any discussion tending to division, which induced Mr. Kenyon
to sit down. Having spread with dexterous industry the most baleful
elements of discord, he begged they should not be disturbed.

I will be pardoned for transcribing here a few observations of my own on
that occasion.

"I am exceedingly anxious, having the misfortune to differ most
widely from my honourable friend the member for Kilkenny, on the
subject of academical education, to express my cordial
concurrence with him in reference to the subject of this
petition. I shall not say one word about our difference of
opinion. I shall enter into no disturbing or dividing
discussion, and the more so because any difference we may
express could not fail to impair the efficiency of our action
where we are thoroughly agreed. I condemn this clause as
strongly as the hon. member can. Nay, I will go a step further,
and say that if there be no provision made by the bill for
religious instruction and moral culture, Protestant and Catholic
ought to unite in struggling for its rejection. No matter how
splendid may be the accommodations provided by these
academies--no matter how richly they may be endowed--if there be
no provision made for the religious education of the pupils, I
trust they will remain silent, unattended Halls."

Numerous other proofs to the same facts are accessible, but these are
abundantly concl