he security of the state, are anxious for
the settlement of the question; but still their pride is wounded, and
they see with disrelish the attitude of just equality which we have
assumed, Our Protestant advocates, with few exceptions, declined the
invitation to join in our late proceedings. As individuals, I hold
them in no account; but I look upon their absence as a feature in the
existing circumstances of the country. It is clear that the division
between Catholic and Protestant is widening. They were before parted,
but they are now rent asunder; and while the Catholic Association rises
up from the indignant passions of our great body of the community,
the Brunswick club is springing up out of the irritated pride and the
sectarian rancour of the Protestants of Ireland. As yet they have not
engaged in the great struggle; they have not closed in the combat; but
as they advance upon each other, and collect their might, it is easy to
discern the terrible passions by which they are influenced, and the
fell determination with which they rush to the encounter. Meanwhile the
government stand by, and the minister folds his arms as if he were a
mere indifferent observer, and the terrific contest only afforded him a
spectacle for the amusement of his official leisure. He sits as if two
gladiators were crossing swords for his recreation. The cabinet seems
to be little better than a box in an amphitheatre, from whence his
majesty's ministers may survey the business of blood. There are three
parties concerned, the Catholics, the Protestants, and the government:
the Catholics advance upon the one hand; the Protestants upon the other;
and the government, by whom all ought to be controlled, looks passively
on." Alarmed at the position in which they had placed themselves,
the agitators began somewhat to retrace their steps; or at least
they adopted measures to secure peace. The Association on the 26th
of September adopted these resolutions:--"1. That while we warmly
congratulate the people of Tipperary upon the happy cessation of their
feuds, we implore them to discontinue the holding of assemblies of the
peculiar character which have recently taken place. 2. That we humbly
entreat the Catholic clergy to co-operate with the Association in
carrying the above resolution into effect. 3. That Daniel O'Connell, to
whose influence deference should be made is hereby called upon to employ
his powerful and deserved authority in deterring the peo