straint in the Is it not natural to suppose, that a disturbed CHAP. V. conscience, continual self-reproach, and the un- Religious resteadiness that marks the apostate, are but in- Armyand Navy different preparatives for a service of fortitude, obedience, patience, regularity, and and constant peril ? For that Whilst, therefore, the Government thinks proper to persevere in this religious warfare, would it not be humane, as well as honourable, to discharge from the service all Catholic Soldiers and Sailors, and to forbid altogether the levying or enlisting of any more? system of Legislation must appear somewhat cruel, nay almost wicked, which compels a man to become an apostate, in order to be a soldier ; to turn his back to his religion, before he can Hard condipresent his face to an enemy; to abandon the lic Soldier or service of his God, as the only mode of promoting that of his country: and having renounced his faith, and forfeited the esteem of Apostacy, rehis family, friends, and early acquaintance, to rush with a self accusing conscience and reprobate soul, upon dangers, desperate encounters, and death!!! tion of a Catho Sailor, probation, &c. CHAP. VI. CHAP. VI. 66 "Of the Law's, which disqualify the Catho"lies from holding various other Offices 66 of Trust, Honour, and Emolument-not already classed or enumerated.” THESE Laws nearly complete the exclusion of Complete exclusion of the Catholics from all desirable offices and situations. Catholics from all offices. Whatever was not already comprehended by the Laws stated in the foregoing Chapters, whether as to power, patronage, profit or honours, is carefully gleaned together and compiled in this class of proscription. Hence, it is so far from being true, as has been studiously propagated—that there now remain, besides seats in Parliament, only 30 or 40 offices forbidden to the Catholics, that this assertion may with perfect truth be inverted for in fact, not more than 30 or 40 offices (nay, not so many) are really accessible to Catholics, under the present Laws and spirit of Government. We shall proceed to our enumeration of the CHAP. VI. offices not already classed or specified, viz. Lord Lieutenant, Lord Deputy, or other Governor of Ireland........... Lord High Treasurer, Treasury Custodes Rotulorum of Counties.......... ber)... Stat. 2 Eliz. 8 33 Geo. 3.c. 21. 32 Sect. 9. 3 Wil.& Mary, ch. 2. English. 1 Anne, Stat.1. ch. 12. English. 85 The foregoing list of Offices and situations of trust, emolument or dignity, from which the Catholics are excluded, by the express Letter of the Law, comprizes about 261 in number. These disqualifications, too, have been re-enacted, 1793 recently as in the year 1793. For the Re-enacted in ment of 1793. Incapacities CHAP. VI. Irish Legislature of 1793, not deeming the Irish Parlia- Protestant church establishment sufficiently guarded against the People, by reserving and re-enacting all the disqualifications specire-enacted. fied in our preceding chapters-by excluding the Catholics from both Houses of Legislature, from all Offices in the law, in the army or navy, in cities or in corporate towns-deemed it a necessary precaution to exclude them also from these 261 offices. 33 Geo. 3. c.21. Sect. 9. Subordinate This has been effected by the 9th Section of the Catholic Act of 1793: and thus the Law remains. The Catholics, being thus disqualified from these remaining offices--are consequently excluded from all the subordinate situations dependant upon them such as those of deputies, secreoffices forbid- taries, treasurers, agents, clerks, &c. &c. and all their lucrative and valuable establishments. Deputies, a- These are all rigidly Protestant; and their respective preferences, patronage, favour and assistance, incline naturally towards their Protestant friends and connections. den. gents, treasur ers, &c. Throughout the entire Post office establishment in Ireland, for instance, consisting of several hundred persons, there is scarcely single Catholic to be found in a higher situation than that of a common letter-carrier; and few a sion from offi of even this class. The like may be affirmed of CHAP. VI. the Stamp-office, Bank of Ireland, and the other General exclupublic boards and establishments of Ireland. Yet ces. the far greater proportion of their salaries and emoluments is extracted from the labours, the industry, and the contributions of Catholics. 3. In a word, this unrelenting System This system unjustifiable. of exclusion can neither be justified upon any principle of right, nor palliated by any shew of decency. It abounds in irrational contradictions and ludicrous inconsistency. That much of it proceeded from the personal caprice of the Legislators of 1793, or the reluctance and ill-humour, with which they then conceded any relief to the Catholics, has been frequently alleged-and probably with truth. This may be the reproach of that Legislature, but not an argument against amendment· Imperfection of 1793. It may account for their conduct, but cannot be received as their vindication at the tribunal of Reason. On the contrary, it furnishes a strong proof, amongst many others, that the Statute of of the Statute 1793 was really an unfinished work, and studiously left defective: and that, therefore, a thorough revisal of it becomes annually more and more reasonable, and necessary to the quiet and welfare of Ireland. Ꮮ |