consequences, and threatened worse? One of the chief obstacles to
the measure, he continued, was the safety of the Protestant church. Now
that part of the united church of England and Ireland which was placed
in the latter kingdom, was in the peculiar situation of being the
church of the minority of the people; and if violence against it were
apprehended, he would ask whether that church was more likely to be
defended against violence by an unanimous government, and a parliament
united with government and with itself, or by a divided government, and
a parliament of which the parts were opposed to each other? No man could
look with patience and attention at the present state of this question
without being convinced that the real interests of all classes in this
country, and particularly the church itself, required the consideration
and settlement now proposed. This settlement would give security to
the church, strength to every department of the government, and general
tranquillity to the country at large. In conclusion, his grace said,
"On the whole I entertain no doubt that, after this measure shall have
passed, the Roman Catholics will cease to exist as a separate interest
in the state as they at present do. I have no doubt that they will cease
to excite disunion in this or the other house of parliament. Parliament
will then, I hope, be disposed to look at their conduct, and everything
as respects that country, as they would look upon the people and the
affairs of England and Scotland. I will say, however, that, if I am
disappointed in my hopes of tranquillity after a trial has been given
to the measure, I shall have no scruple in coming down to parliament and
laying before it the state of the case, and calling for the necessary
powers to enable the government to take the steps suited to the
occasion. I shall do this in the same confidence that parliament will
support me, that I feel in the present case."

In reply, the Archbishop of Canterbury moved an amendment, that the bill
should be read a second time that day six months. He was surprised,
he said, that any man remembering the conduct of the Catholics at all
times, and who knew, as every one must know, that even what was now
proposed fell short of their ultimate objects, should attempt to justify
a measure, on the ground that it would bring peace to Ireland. When he
considered the use which had been made of the concession of the elective
franchise, to produce cons