Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from The Second Speech of Michael Thomas Sadler, Esq., M. P. In the House of Commons, on the Third Reading of the Roman Catholic Relief Bill, March 30, 1829
It was my intention, on this occasion, to have fortified the view I previously took of the real principle of the British Constitution as demanding, and for the most important of all possible reasons, a moral qualification from those who have to make or administer our laws, by appeals to the highest authorities that have ever adorned this country. To present these to the House would, however, con some too much of its time; and it is, moreover, rendered, I think, unnecessary by the feebleness with which that principle of our Con stitution has been attacked. I mean not the Constitution as altered in 1828, nor yet as it is about to be further revolu tionized in 1829, but the Constitution of the lst of William the Third, preserved entire, 'at least as it regards England, till the last of George III. What emotions does that venerated name kindle in our hearts, and especially on this important occa sion! Some of these authorities, Sir, I have selected, and hold in my hand, but I will not now fatigue your attention by reading them, especially at so protracted a period of the discussion, how ever much my argument may suffer by the omission. I had meant also to have instituted a short contrast between the doctrines of Protestantism and Catholicism, as to their necessary effects on public morals, liberty, and happiness; subjects inseparably con nected with a due consideration Of the question before us. I will, however, only remark as to Popery, that the peculiar na ture of its tenets is such as naturally to produce those melan choly effects, which have invariably accompanied it whenever dominant. Its exclusive and intolerant character, which dictated such atrocious cruelties when in the plenitude of its power, still remains; and however much repressed at present, or however interpreted, is still highly prejudicial to the best feelings and truest interests of society, by disrupting that bond of charity which ought to unite in mutual affection the whole Christian community. Lts ridiculous miracles, including that standing one, transnhstantiation.
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