Page:An address to the thinking independent part of the community.djvu/19

( 19 ) and influence, it is not to be imagined that they can want power to repress the disorders of the lower classes. Mr. Burke defines jacobinism to be the revolt of the enterprising talents of a country against its property: And great surely muff be the defeat of talents, energy and virtue, where they ought principally to abound, if the property of a date be unable to controul and guide its population.

Having thus taken on themselves the assertion of the public claims, and by their firm and united remonstrance, convinced government of the necessity of timely and just concession, with how commanding a voice, and how powerful an effect might the gentlemen of the country then call on the discontents of the people to cease. You have no longer any pretence, might they say, to disturb the public peace and outrage the laws. Whatever fair and reasonable object you could have proposed to obtain by violence, our interference has accomplished without bloodshed or injustice of any kind. The abuses you complained of have been corrected; the grievances you laboured under have been redressed. The conscientious avowal of certain religious opinions is no longer stigmatised by political degradation. Two-thirds of the Irish people are no longer excluded from the constitution, or, admitted to its entrance, with a jealous and distrustful caution kept back from its feats of honour.