Mr. O'Connellpresented a Petition from William Blaxland of Leamington, praying the House not to pass any Bill by which arbitrary, military, or despotic power might be established in any part of these realms. For the present he should merely say, that during the last few days he had been consoled by receiving an immense number of letters from all parts of Great Britain, expressive of sympathy for his countrymen, and of unqualified disgust at any attempt to establish a military tyranny in Ireland.
Mr. Stanleysaid, the hon. and learned Member had stated but one-half of the petition. In justice to the House, he ought to have read the latter part, which asked for the repeal of all enactments by which any payments were made under the pretence of supporting Christianity."
Mr. O'Connellsaid, his only reason for not reading the part alluded to was, that petitions had been so frequently presented to the House upon the subject that he thought it was unnecessary. For his own part, it was well known that he heartily 1100 concurred in such a prayer—that it was the very principle of his political life. The existence of the Catholic Church proved there was no necessity for resorting to such unworthy means, for it supported more bishops, vicars, and parish priests than did the Protestant Church, without one farthing wrung from the people by the compulsion of the law; thus vindicating itself to all, and disdaining those practices which extorted money under the pretence of encouraging religion but in reality, to support aristocrats and their relatives.
Petition to be laid on the Table.