[ 144 ] [Auo. 



STATE OF IRELAND. 



WHAT has emancipation done for Ireland ? is a question which may 

 be put to those who were so prodigal of their golden promises, when 

 the removal of the main pillars of the constitution of 1688 was accom- 

 plished by every method which intimidation could devise. It is a 

 question we constantly hear urged, by both Protestants and Roman 

 Catholics ; but, though more than fifteen months have elapsed since 

 the " healing measure" came into operation, we have not as yet been 

 able to obtain a satisfactory solution of the query. The thorough- 

 going, the treasury hacks, the apostate Dawsons, and the other hirelings 

 of the Administration, have, indeed, had the effrontery to assure us, that 

 immense benefits have been derived from their panacea. They tell us, 

 that peace and good will are advancing, with rapid strides, among all 

 classes of his Majesty's subjects in the sister island ; and that, so obvious 

 is the increase of prosperity therefrom, it becomes necessary to prevent, 

 by the imposition of fresh taxes, the Quixotic Patlanders from being 

 afflicted with an inconvenient plethora of riches, lest they should again 

 wax wanton and wicked ! Others, however, who are content to look 

 on as common-place spectators, freely confess that they cannot discern 

 any material alteration in the state of Ireland. They perceive the same 

 elements of discord still in existence the same distrust and rancour 

 between the two conflicting parties are evinced, whenever suitable oppor- 

 tunity offers for their developement. 



The discriminating mind, which ventures to look beyond the mere 

 surface, sees that a momentous change has taken place in Ireland, since 

 the safeguards of the constitution were broken down a change, the 

 probable consequences of which it is fearful to contemplate. While 

 Popery has retained all its native inveterate hatred to Protestantism and 

 England, the affections of the Irish Protestant have been so completely 

 alienated from those who at present hold the helm of the state, that no 

 embarrassment into which the Administration could be plunged, would 

 be likely to elicit from him either sympathy or support. A stem 

 neutrality is now the utmost that ministers could hope for from the 

 very men who, not eighteen months ago, were ready to shed their 

 heart's blood in defence of the honour and integrity of the empire. 

 Public men have forfeited the confidence of the Irish Protestants to 

 such an extent, that the latter know not whom to trust, and almost 

 deem themselves, what their Roman Catholic fellow-countrymen have 

 *" so often designated them, mere " strangers and sojourners in the land/' 

 unattached to it or its governors by any permanent interest or security. 



In brief, this much has " emancipation" done for Ireland it has 

 dissolved the best tie of its connexion with Great Britain, the cordial 

 devotion of the Irish Protestants ; and it has raised the hopes, and 

 stimulated the exertions of the Roman Catholics to accomplish that 

 without which they never will rest content the ascendency of the 

 papal church; the realization of which project they regard as utterly 

 impossible without a separation from Protestant England. 



The repeal of the legislative union, and the prostration of the established 

 church, are consequently themes on which the Roman Catholics of 

 Ireland now dwell with delight. These themes agitation has seized 

 upon, and will, ere long, wield with incalculable effect. In vain will 

 the minister endeavour, by temporizing, by intimidation, or by any 



