Page:An address to the Roman Catholics of Ireland.djvu/9

7 a loss to see any one object which it must so completely effectuate as the permanent subjugation of the Roman Catholics of Ireland. And what is hinted to you as the premium for this eternal surrender? The pensioning of your Clergy, in dependence upon Government, and an intimation that in the new order of things some open may be left for you. And yet, you would be disgusted if you knew the language which this very Government, who have thus acted by you, and written of you, speak now in the hopes of your preserving a sulky neutrality upon this great national question. (I speak not of Lord Cornwallis, when I mention the Government—his conduct to you, and to Ireland, has been magnanimous.) It little avails, (say your old task matters,) what the Bar, or the mercantile community, or the city of Dublin may declare; the Catholics have not yet spoken, and theirs is the voice of the people. Alas! Catholics, can it be for good, that the men call you the people to-day, who yesterday denied that you were so, and to-morrow will treat you as if you wore not for Depend upon it, they seek to make your resentments, at which they will laugh hereafter, the instruments of their polities; but I rely upon you for a different conduct, and expect that you will set the example of a magnanimous forgetfulness of every thing but the honour of your native land. This conduct will reclaim the prejudices of thousands, and the liberality which you practise, you will inspire. If