Mutual Interests promoted by the Union. 91 



government of the country against them, purely 

 from fear, and the consciousness of the absolute 

 necessity of the strong arm of power to keep 

 the people in subjection. 



All ranks were dissatisfied, and felt them- 

 selves treated by Great Britain, not as a co- 

 equal empire, but as a conquered province. 



The extinction of such a government can 

 afford no just reason for regret. The friends to 

 rational liberty, in both countries, were called 

 on to support an alteration so likely to benefit 

 each, by the suppression of local prejudices, 

 and the consolidation of mutual interests. 



On references to an united parliament for the 

 redress of wrongs, it could not but be expected 

 that justice was more likely to be fairly dealt 

 out than it had been to all parties. 



The degrading expedients resorted to by 

 Lords-lieutenant of modern times, were re- 

 volting to men of honour, and humiliating to 

 the mother country. The last and concluding 

 scene of the Irish parliament affixed a stain on 

 its memory that no time can efface. Repeat- 

 edly in the parliament of the united empire was 

 the whole legislative body of Ireland accused of 



