Imatges de pàgina
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confequence toward York is, according to this measure, exactly double that of the beer-houfe at Old Sarum, which fends two members to the Senate.

8. The next lofs, which is urged, is one that will prove a gain beyond calculation. Flaming PATRIOTS, as they would be thought, have called the Union an act, whereby a youthful and rifing body is coupled to one old in decay and tumbling into diffolution. Now, in truth, the fact is, that it is joining the Irish nation, old in diforder and feeble in itself, through those disorders, to one that is vigorous and virtuous. It is the Union of a child, or rather a pigmy, to a giant, in ftrength, commerce and freedom, for mutual fupport. For fince the pofitive or relative power of nations is estimated by fize, population and wealth; what is Ireland in all those three, toward the whole of the British empire befide? What is her opulence or power compared to the fources of both in the commerce of Britain alone, and in that navy which is the broad shield of the univerfe? If the taxable income, as ftated by Mr. Pitt, and we apprehend that it is understated through difcretion, amounts, after deducting the one million of Ireland, to 101 millions annually, it is not a difficult matter for Ireland to calculate upon fuch data the relative capital of both countries. When the relative capital is ascertained, then let her ask herself, whether it were wife or not to join in fuch a firm as that of Britain for commerce, and whether it were well to join with fuch a free and powerful nation, for an equality in both?

GAINS.

Let us now view the gains refulting from Incorporation. 9. The civil fyftem improved, in property; in public and private condition; and in political fituation.

10. The religious or ecclefiaftical system: by the revival of moral obedience, and refpe&t to its authority, which

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have too long been and muft ever be loft in civil difcords and fanatic rebellions, that undermine the throne and the altar: improved alfo in the fecurity of its poffeffions and eftablishments. Query-Should not the Catholic establishment be taken under the patronage and protection of Government; and the clergy of this body and of the Diffenters have their fupport from the Crown?

11. Commercial system, under security and tranquillity, must be improved in fkill, capital, and extent, beyond the poffibility of calculation.

BENEFITS.

Laftly, let us view fome few of the benefits.

12. The nation will be freed from the characteristic and immoral impulfion given to the people, by civil circumftances, down through ages, and under the Imperial Union.

13. It will be freed from the political and ambitious impulfion given to other orders, under the Federal Union.

14. It will be freed from the effects of that awful impulfion, given to many, by the civil peftilence of the times.

15. It will be freed from diftreffes, which have been long exifting, according to the testimony of the fervants and friends of Government.

It will be freed from diftreffes which have been aggravated, for the purposes of rebellion, by the enemies of Govern

ment.

It will be freed from diftreffes which are attefted by the ableft politicians of Europe, men no way connected with Ireland, but by their knowledge and virtues, with which they have laboured for the good of the Empire, and have been crowned with the applauses of the universe.

For

For thefe great and valuable purposes, and upon the grounds and reafons before mentioned, we are the advocates of an Incorporative Union. To raise up such a system of happiness and virtue upon the ruin of bad ones, and not to accommodate errors, but eradicate evils, our phalanx is fome of the ableft, the wifeft, and the beft men of both nations.

All other party we difclaim: Little diftin&tion is loft in our view, In the comprehenfive found of Empire, our Imind embraces but an unifon of nations: in that of nations it awakens but a thought of mankind. Judges, before whose tribunal we bow, your happiness is our object. If our zeal be exceffive, we fubmit to your reproach: But, as the friend of Ireland, we would drive from the cradle of its infant greatnefs, the monsters that menace its existence and repofe. Tarquins may condemn us, but no Brutus will accufe us.

FIN I S.

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[The attention of the House of Lords was called by the Marquis of Lanfdowne, to "Union or Separation," as containing more found fense, more knowledge, " and more experience of the world, than volumes " which had been written on the fubject."]

DUBLIN:

PRINTED FOR J. MILLIKEN, 32, GRAFTON-STREET.

1799.

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