m concession." When the latter clanger,
however, was the sacrifice of the Protestant constitution, the
parliament which incurred it was inexcusable, whether their conduct
proceeded from dread of foreign attack, or of domestic dissension. It
was easy to understand how men who did not believe that Protestantism
formed an integral part of the constitution should pay for tranquillity
what must appear to them so low a price. His majesty's ministers,
however, had always been of a different opinion. They had maintained
and avowed that a measure like this was pregnant with danger to the
constitution; and though their views of the expediency or inexpediency
of incurring that danger might have changed, the danger itself must be
the same. Nothing that had happened or was likely to happen could be
put in the balance against this violation of the constitution. Was the
British Protestant constitution a thing for which it was not worth while
to encounter danger? would we defend it with our lives against invaders
abroad, and yet sacrifice it to demagogues at home? The horrors of civil
war were threatened: be it so; was the constitution to be sacrificed,
whenever a number of unprincipled men threatened rebellion, if it was
maintained? But that apprehension was groundless. The noble mover of
this very measure had himself admitted that resistance was nowhere
offered; that the Catholics were too wary and cautious to offer it; and
that his troops found no occupation because they met with no enemy. Wise
and good men would endeavour to tranquillize Ireland; but they would not
give up, even for this object, the Protestant constitution of Ireland.
The Marquis of Salisbury who had moved the address at the opening of the
session, said that he had done so because he was prepared to change the
condition of the Catholics; but he had never imagined that securities
would not be provided, which securities he thought were to be found
only in connecting the Catholic priesthood with the state. By abandoning
securities their lordships would be signing the death-warrant of the
Protestant establishment of Ireland and if the Protestant establishment
of Ireland fell, that of England would shortly follow; and with
the downfall of the church a revolution would ensue. Lord Eldon, in
obedience to a general call made on him by the house, spoke at great
length, and with evident sincerity on this important question. He
commenced by stating that ministers who had introd