masters of this red republic were prepared to disregard all existing
social rules, and to reduce everything to anarchy. The noble lord then
described the means of effecting their treasonable objects possessed by
the confederates. All the intelligence received by the government proved
that the organisation of the clubs was formidable, that it was rapidly
progressing, and that in many parts of the country the plans of the
associates were ripe for execution. He adduced the accounts obtained
from Tipperary, Meath, Louth, Cork, Waterford, and other counties, as
evidence of the formidable nature of the organisation of the insurgents;
the information received from all quarters, and the opinions obtained
from various persons, being to the one effect, that though persons of
property and the clergy of all denominations were decidedly against an
outbreak, no influence would have any effect in deterring many thousands
of the younger men, especially of the farmer class, from joining in the
proposed insurrection; in fact, nothing was now wanting but the naming
of the day and hour, to be fixed by the leaders, for carrying into
effect this fatal revolution. The noble lord quoted a letter received
that day from Lord Clarendon, in which the lord-lieutenant stated
that the aspect of things was growing worse, and that the increasing
disloyalty, on the part of the Irish people, was most rapid within the
last few days. It might be necessary, he said, to introduce a measure
for the prevention of the organisation of clubs, but the first, the most
direct, the immediate and efficacious remedy for the existing evil would
be the suspension of the _Habeas Corpus_ Act--a power to be given to the
lord-lieutenant of at once securing the persons of those suspected of
high treason. The government might have been justified in demanding
this power at an earlier period, but they delayed it as long as it was
possible. He implored the house, if their conviction was this measure
should pass, to lose no time in arming the lord-lieutenant with the
power requisite. Without it, rebellion could undoubtedly be put down,
but it would be at the expense of blood--at the cost of much misery and
ruin. No man could say what the consequence of withholding these powers
even for a day would be. The government undertook the responsibility,
however odious it might be, of proposing this measure; and they
confidently asked the house to accept their responsibility, mindful of
th