eans as these are used as means of influence over the ignorant
multitude, nothing will deter pious persons from doing all in their
power to counteract and undermine such influence. The gentlemen of the
Catholic Association will soon find that their political discussions
have reacted on the public mind; that a spirit of inquiry has gone forth
on the subject of their religion. I have no objection to the professors
of the Catholic religion as individuals; I quarrel not with their
religious tenets as a system of faith; but I am jealous of the political
system which is ingrafted on those tenets, and I think I have a perfect
right on the present occasion to consider what has been the influence of
that political system in different countries. I do not desire to look at
this point as it is to be found illustrated in ancient councils, or in
times when bigotry and superstition were prevalent throughout the world;
but, viewing the effect of the Catholic religion as it exists in the
present day in various co un tries, in some where it luxuriates in
undisputed growth, in those where it is only struggling for supremacy,
and in others where it is subordinate to another and a purer system,
contemplating it under those different aspects, the result of my
observation is, that it is expedient to maintain in this kingdom the
mild, mitigated, and temperate predominance of the Protestant church."
With regard to the question as to whether the concessions demanded would
restore tranquillity to Ireland, Mr. Peel said that he could not make
up his mind to believe that the removal of the disabilities of the
Roman Catholics would be attended by such a consummation. If they gained
power, he said, they would naturally wish to better the condition of
their religious system, to extend its influence over the country, and
to draw it into closer connexion with government. The consequence of
the change would be to bring the Catholic and Protestant religions
into collision in such a manner, as might prove the destruction of the
latter. And what greater evil, he asked, could be conceived than the
confusion which must prevail for ages during the conflict? If, indeed,
he could be persuaded that by concession tranquillity would be restored
in Ireland, although he believed that the admission of their claims
would endanger our constitution, he would sacrifice his apprehensions
of the ultimate result to the attainment of the present benefit. But
he could not make u