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 CAULFIELD agriculture, manufactures, and commerce, came next, and. while the metropolis was to be the emporium of British intercourse, every other outport was flattered with the pros- pect of flourishing on the decay of maritime commerce in the metropolis. The catholic body were told that their complete emaneipation, and admission to the repre- sentative franchise, which they must never hope to attain from an Irish parliament, would immediately follow the establishment of an union; while, on the other hand, the enemies of the catholics were told that an union was the only measure by which the catholics eould be prevented from forcing their way into parliament, and effecting the subversion of church and state. The timid were told that union was the only resource left to terminate the struggles of hostile parties, and prevent the recurrence of civil war; and the bold and adventurous, who stickled for their inde- pendent parliament in Ireland, as the great lottery for promotions to place, power, and influence, were told that union was the rapid road to those advantages, as it would throw open to them and their families a participation in all the blessings of patronage, over the extensive range of imperial dominion. British manufactorers with enormous capitals, tempted by the security of consolidated govern- ments, were to croud into Ireland, enrich the country, give employment and civilization to her inereasing popu lation, and rival their native England in commerce with 451 the world. Parliament at length met. The subject was mentioned in the viceroy's speech; and, notwithstanding the general irritation exeited out of doors, and the vengeful clamour of some partisans in the senate, the then youthful states- nan, Lord Castlereagh, brought forward the proposition for consideration in the honse of commons. His lordship, in the course of his speech, did not confine himself to a statement of the advantages political, commercial, and social, likely to follow to his country from an identification with England, but proceeded to argue that the fond dreams of a distinct and independent parliament, and