tion, and timidity sought confidence under his protection. Thus armed he proceeded to urge on the civil war that rendered Ireland a waste that carried tears and lamentations throughout the land, that handed over to the sword, the scaffold, and the torture men who, from their rank and information, were useful members of society and an honour to their country. CHAPTER XII. Effects of the French Revolution.- Measures to promote the Union.-Lord PROFLIGATE statesmen are seldom deterred from pursuing their political path by a feeling of shame, or a sense of injustice, and never hesitate to employ means the most vile, and men the most despicable, for the completion of their projects. Hurried away by the ambition of being considered men of profound diplomatic talent, they stop not to consider the consequences that may be the result of their policy, nor the misery their acts may entail on future generations. The career of Mr. Pitt with respect to the Irish rebellion and subsequent union, is a strong and melancholy illustration of the truth of this observation. The repeal of several of the laws that pressed severely on the Catholics, gave great offence to the Protestants of the North, meetings Meetingsin were held, at which speeches were made declaratory of their the North. disgust at the conduct of the government, and deprecating in the strongest terms any further concessions to the Catholics. These speeches created an unfounded suspicion of intended treachery, and the uneducated Protestant was taught to believe that the Catholics aimed at both the recovery of their forfeited estates, and the suppression of the Protestant religion. Previous to the heartless Pitt conspiracy, the Protestant and Catholic had lived in the greatest harmony, mutual oppression had made them friends, disputes about the other world never disturbed the peace of society. The question of "is he a Catholic, or is he a Protestant" was never asked. To be an Irishman, and honest, was the only and strongest recommendation to secure kindness, hospi Effects of the French Revolution 1791. tality, and confidence. But the great and paramount project of the union was to be perfected, and the violation of the peace of society, the sacrifice of human life, and the ruining of thousands, were but dust in the balance when weighed against expediency, and personal ambition. To complete a legislative union, proceedings unparalleled for baseness in the whole history of diplomatic corruption, were resorted to, which unchained all the worst passions of the people of both countries, which gave blood to the bigot, and power to the oppressor, and produced events that may ultimately lead to the subversion of those institutions, under whose protection these islands have so long flourished. The admirers of Mr. Pitt's politics describe him as "the pilot that weathered the storm;" but it is to be feared they may yet discover that he who weathered it, ran the great vessel of the state on the fatal shoals of the national debt and Irish union. The enthusiasm caused by the French revolution spread like an electric shock through the whole of Europe, and Ireland, already prepared by the insidious measures of the minister for the political explosion that destroyed her as a nation, soon caught the flame. The spirit that armed her population was not yet extinct, and the people still remembered the lesson of independence taught them by the volunteers, but forgot that, since that glorious period, religious dissension had been introduced, that sectarian suspicion and violence had replaced the Christian feelings of brotherly love and toleration. In the fatal belief that they were still strong as a united people, they hurried forward in the treacherous path prepared for them, and with that carelessness of consequences that marks the Irish character, they never suspected or looked back at the base hand that pressed them on to destruction. The dissemination of principles in direct opposition to monarchy began to produce effects that alarmed the different governments of Europe. Their fears induced them to adopt vigorous measures for their suppression, and whilst these measures were in progress in England, in Ireland revolutionary principles were zealously propagated, and allowed to be inculcated even in the capital, under the eye of the Irish executive. Paid agents were instructed to inflame the minds of the people, who fell into the abyss prepared to receive them. The impulse given to the revolutionary feeling was felt throughout the whole nation. The spirit of insurrection began to show itself, secret associations, under the name of the United Irish, were formed. The rich and flourishing town of Belfast took the lead in these proceedings. Essentially Presbyterian, its inhabitants were hostile to the Church establishment, and had always evinced a stronger inclination to cultivate a good understanding with the Catholics than with those who belonged to the Church of England. with his for a Union. The revolutionary train was laid, and only awaited the Mr. Pitt touch of the match to explode, but it was necessary to con- proceeds ceal the hand that applied it. Having divided the country, measures and corrupted the parliament, the next step of the government was, by a show of further concession to the Catholics, to irritate the Protestant population. It was determined to send Earl Fitzwilliam to supersede Lord Westmoreland as Viceroy. This appointment occasioned great surprise to all who were not in the minister's confidence, as that amiable nobleman was one of the opposition, and had always been the strenuous advocate of Catholic emancipation. Mr. Pitt was aware that his being sent over as Lord- Lord FitzLieutenant would awaken hopes that he was determined william appointed should never be realised, and that his recall at the time Viceroy. when he was about giving peace to the country, would bring on that political crisis he so long and so ardently expected. The arrival of Earl Fitzwilliam gave universal satisfaction, and was hailed by the people as a proof of the wish of the government to inquire into and redress their grievances and promote their happiness. Sentiments of confidence were expressed, and flattering hopes of future prosperity cherished. enthusiasm The public mind which had been agitated by wanton acts of shameful atrocity, became composed, and all men united in giving their support to a Viceroy who presented himself as the benefactor and pacificator of their country. From one of the peo- corner of the kingdom to the other, nothing was to be heard ple. but invitations to an union in favour of his administration; but this exultation was of short duration. The cup which had been presented in mockery to the parched lip of the slave, was rudely withdrawn, dashed to the ground, and along with it all the dreams of the future which had gladdened the heart and intoxicated the imagination. Lord Fitzwilliam's departure for Ireland was delayed in consequence of Mr. Pitt's questioning the terms on which the Duke of Portland alleged he had received the appointment of Viceroy. The dispute however was finally arranged, by giving a compensation to the then Lord Lieutenant, Lord Westmoreland, and Lord Fitzwilliam, came over under engagements to certain persons in Ireland, with full powers from the Duke of Portland to fulfil these engagements, and with the knowledge and acquiescence of Mr. Pitt, whose duplicity concealed his intention of employing all his influence to secretly thwart the Viceroy's endeavours to give peace and tranquillity to the people whom he was appointed to govern.* Lord Fitzwilliam took possession of his government on the 4th January, 1795, under auspices the most cheering to the country. He commenced his labours by the dismissal from office, but with ample compensation, of such persons as had lost the confidence of the country, and who were intimately connected with the abuses of the former government. Their removal from official situations was considered necessary as they might have impeded the great work of reform, and in so doing he acted with the privacy, and consent of the English cabinet, under the belief of its being the serious intention of the ministry to * These engagements are, Catholic Emancipation and Reform in the Irish House of Commons. |