ill abound. All the
rampant insolence of outraged bigotry, all the blatant
denunciations of insulted protestantism, will burst forth
like a torrent. We shall be assailed in pamphlets and
papers; caricatured, hooted, burned in effigy. A wily and
well-conducted opposition on our part will fan and feed this
flame. Some amongst us will assume the moderate tone: invoke
the equality that pertains to every born Briton, and ask for
the mere undisturbed exercise of our faith. Others, with
greater boldness, will adventure sorties against the enemy,
and thus provoke reply and discussion. To each will be
assigned his suited task. A laboring for the one great
object,--to maintain the national fever at a white heat, to
suffer no interval of calm reflection to come, and to force
upon the Parliament, by the pressure of outward opinion,
some severe or at least some galling act of legislation.
This once accomplished, our game is won, and the great
schism we have so long worked for effected! It will then be
the Government on one side and the Church on the other.
Could you wish for anything better? For myself, I care
little how the campaign be then conducted; the victory must
be our own. I have told you again and again there is no such
policy against England as that of hampering the course of
her justice. It was O'Connell's secret; he had no other; and
he never failed till he attempted something higher. First,
provoke a rash legislation, and then wait for the
discomfiture that will follow it! With all the boasted
working of the great constitution, what a mere trifle
disturbs and disjoints it! Ay, Michel, a rusty nail in the
cylinder will spoil the play of the piston, although the
engine be rated at a thousand horse-power. Such a conflict
with Protestantism is exactly like the effect of a highly
disciplined army taking the field against a mob. With _us_
all is preconcerted, prearranged, and planned; with _them_
everything is impulsive, rash, and ill-advised. This
glorious prerogative of private judgment becomes a capital
snare, when measures should be combined and united. Fancy, I
ask of you,--fancy all the splendid errors of their hot
enthusiasm; think of the blunders they will commit on
platform or pulpit; reflect upon the folly and absurdity