ballot would establish the same kind of representation with them that exists with the Belgians; whereas it would be increasing, to an incalculable amount, the political power of the Irish secular clergy; for if the priesthood in both countries should have the supreme direction of the elective franchise, the Belgian priesthood, being under the control of the Government, is necessarily Conservative, whilst the Irish would be influenced and directed in a totally different manner.

The Belgian Catholic clergy have been excited to prudence, virtue, and forbearance, by the unqualified benignity of the Cardinal Archbishop of Malines. The sound doctrine of his eminence, combined with the moderation of the present Pope, may have enabled the secular clergy in Belgium to obtain more influence in political affairs than ought to be used by the clergy of any religion.

We may regret that so much political power should belong to any ecclesiastical body; whilst we respect the moderate means, and virtuous efforts, which have been used, to arrive at such authority.

The cause that has produced this power in Belgium, is far different from that attempted to be set up by the Catholics who support Repeal in Ireland, and who desire to arrive at the same influence in appearance, but very different in effect, when under the uncontrolled thraldom of ecclesiastical exclusionists, as it would be in Ireland, when unattached by pecuniary interests, connexion, or submission to the civil government of the State.

Every step the Agitator takes, proves more and more that the Irish, responsive to the call of Mr. O'Connell, are no more fit for self-government, than the wildest

tribes of the coloured races of Africa. History furnishes no example of a civilized people being moved by such continuous untruth, as seems to be systematically used to distort the judgment of those misguided men who swell the ranks of repeal.

The following is the official printed return of the number of Repeal Meetings, held from the 15th of March, down to the 15th of August. The census of the population of Ireland, in the year 1841, was 8,175,238; therefore, according to this statement, more than the whole population of Ireland are now supporting Mr. O'Connell.

Dates of
Meeting.

Kells

March 19* April 2* April 17 April 19 April 23* April 25 May 4 May 7* May 14* May 19 May 21* May 23 May 24 May 28*

June 6

June 8

30,000

Louth

20,000

Limerick

10,000

Limerick.

120,000

Then follows an equally authorised account of contributions levied upon the Repealers. It appears, by the speeches of Mr. O'Connell, that there is a large balance not appropriated. Such sums are to be pur

chased into the public funds, in the name of Mr. O'Connell-sole trustee !

TOTAL received in 1843. 28,026 2 10

If the pecuniary interest of an individual were to be dealt with as the great Agitator uses the resources of the Irish Repealers, a bill of discovery would be filed against such trustee in the Court of Chancery, to elicit an account of the employment of the monies of the unfortunate who, by a jury, had been declared incapable of directing his own affairs.

The appointment of Repeal Wardens, coupled with the proposed assemblage of some hundreds of gentlemen (to be established in Dublin, as a sort of Parliament), is another plagiarism of Mr. O'Connell. It is merely a revival of the Supreme Council of Confederate Catholics, which formed a parcel of the government of the Council of Kilkenny. The "repeal wardens" are nothing more

F

than "provincial generals," as they were called, and were appointed under this title by that celebrated council.

A people having suffered so dreadfully as the Irish, (owing to the incapacity of this notorious assembly), must look with as much disgust and horror at a return, in Ireland, to a similar order of rule, as the English would to the re-assumption of a government like the Protectorate, or the rule of James the Second.

What was said of the Romans, during their decline, might be applied to the Irish formerly under the control of the Council of Kilkenny, and now under that of Mr. O'Connell: "they will not submit; they know not how to govern; faithless to their superiors; intolerable to their equals; ungrateful to their benefactors; alike impudent in their demands and refusals; lofty in promise, poor in execution. Adulation, calumny, perfidy, and treason, are the familiar arts of their policy!"

* We do not apply this quotation to the Irish nation apply it to the deluded of wheels of Daniel O'Connell. we venerate, we respect the detest its perversion.

we

that nation who follow the chariotWe are Irish by blood; we honour, Irish character in its purity-we