Yet such has been the warfare, prosecuted for CHAP. X. upwards of two hundred years against this ca lumniated people. Imputations ample tes Since the year 1773 (when they were first jury, &c. required, by Law, to disavow those monstrous tenets) probably Two MILLIONS of Catholics in Great Britain and Ireland-the most intelligent members of the communion-the clergy, gentry, and proprietors have publicly taken and subscribed the oaths and declarations, repelling those imputations. This testimony has been corrobo- Repelled, by rated by the most learned Catholic Divines, the timony. most renowned universities in Europe. Surely, this immense body of evidence must shew, " that "in reality the Catholics do not hold the immoral opinions and principles, imputed to "them" and that the accusations against them, vague and conjectural as they have ever been, are at this day unjust and unfounded. In any ordinary investigation, before an impartial and rational tribunal, such evidence would be deemed conclusive. 9 Catholics. If this be so, it seems to follow, that the Hardship, upon Catholics are now compelled to submit to the humiliation of publicly and individually falsifying cruel slanders, which are not even credible-of repelling obloquy, which cannot be countenanced, even by those who propound the Να CHAP. X. irritating test-of disclaiming sentiments so depraved, that it must grievously wound the tions of false- feelings of an honest man to be suspected of harbouring them for a single moment. Cruel imputa hood, perjury, &c. Vehicles of humiliation. Nature and extent of this hardship. May it not be suspected, then, that these tests are preserved, rather as memorials of rancour and vehicles of humiliation, than as effective safeguards of the state?—and may not this suspicion be fortified, if the Catholics feel themselves still branded by the same distrust and repulsion as if they had not taken and subscribed these oaths and declarations-or as if, having done so, they were wholly unworthy of belief or regard? Let us suppose, for example, a Protestant citizen, of pure fame and honourable feelings, required by his neighbour to subscribe a declaration, importing, that "he is not a traitor, 66 a murderer, perjured or perfidious;-and "that he makes such declaration without any " evasion, equivocation, or mental reserva"tion, &c."-would he not justly consider such a demand as a gross affront? But, suppose him compelled by the voice of his fellowcitizens, and under heavy penalties, to repeat this declaration publicly, upon his oath, and in the face of his country:-What must be his humiliation! The very necessity for such a in CHAP. X. Catholics de .vilified. declaration stigmatizes his good name, and loads it with heavy suspicion. But, what justice and torture must be inflicted upon a famed and good man, who, after having submitted to this vexatious ordeal, is nevertheless treated ever afterwards by society, as if his exculpation were false and delusive! Why, he must naturally be filled with high indignationperhaps aggravated by the discovery, that the latent motive for so public an affront was, not so much to afford him a mode of exculpating himself, as indirectly to render him an object of ridicule and aversion-to irritate his feelings, and to dismiss him to obscurity, disparaged in reputation, and lacerated by chagrin, that no Catho to exist in 3. Another source of uniform con-Fiction of Law tempt towards the Catholics, and of egregious lic is presumed ignorance in their rulers, is to be found in the Ireland. silly and affected notion (long a favourite FICTION of Irish Law) that "all the effective "inhabitants of Ireland are to be presumed to "be Protestants-and that, therefore, the Ca"tholics, their clergy, worship, &c. are not to "be supposed to exist-save for reprehension " and penalty." Fictions in Law have been, sometimes, resorted to―for the indirect attainment of salutary Ridiculous adopted in Ireland. CHAP. X. objects, and for the removal of obstacles to substantial justice. But this stupendous fiction tramples upon every sentiment of equity, utility and common sense. It is exposed to ridicule by the broad fact, "that four out of every five persons to be met with in the streets are avowed Catholics." Yet, Lord Chancellor Bowes declared from the Bench, that "the "Law does not suppose any such person to exist as an Irish Roman Catholic." Justice Robinson made a similar declaration. Chancellor Temp. Geo. 2. Chief Justice Robinson. Chief This fiction is the groundwork of most public measures, affecting Ireland, All legislative Mischiefs of this arrangements respecting education, charities, notion Early preju dices. finance, military affairs, local police, &c. are, with wilful absurdity, projected and persisted in, upon the preposterous assumption, "that no "Catholics exist in Ireland." Hence, irrational schemes, inefficient Laws, a supercilious tone of power, arrogant edicts, an abuse of public resources, and a perversion of public justice, in affairs concerning the popula tion of Ireland. 4. This Penal Code, too, must naturally predispose Protestants against all Catholics, even thro' the channel of EDUCATION, Catholics. The Protestant is properly taught, in early CHAP. x. life, to love and admire the Laws and Constitu- Education, tion of his country. The highest encomiums hostile to upon them form an essential part of his instrucHe sees his relatives and connections possessing honours and emoluments-happy and powerful in the State. tion. inculcated confirmed by this When he comes to read the Laws against Early prejudices Catholics, detailed in the Statute Book-eulogized by Blackstone, Burn, Bacon, and the compilers-when he sees Catholics designated as very dangerous members of society, disqualified from office, distrusted in every public transaction, false to the Protestants and their country, superstitious, idolatrous, intolerant and tyranni-sanctioned and cal-he naturally and reasonably imbibes corres- Penal Code ponding sentiments of vehement dislike towards them. As he respects the Law, so is he bound to acquiesce in its reasonableness and wisdom. As he loves his King and Country, he abhors the perfidious and traitorous plotters against both. As he venerates the Christian religion, he must detest the superstitious and idolatrous persecutors of true believers. Thus he enters the world, impressed by the Laws, which he respects from principle and gratitude, with an abhorrence of his Catholic neighbours, his tenants and servants—and thus, |