From the time that the [Dungannon] Convention of Volunteers failed in obtaining their great
object of reform in the year 1784, the spirit of the nation gradually declined; and in the
year 1791, and the proceeding ones it may be said to have been utterly extinguished...
There was no national spirit in Ireland - on the contrary the anniversary of those events
which led to the degradation of the country were celebrated, strange as it may appear, by
Irishmen with martial pomp and sensitivity, differing in this from all nations, ancient and
modern: if any felt differently they prudently concealed their sentiments.
The great Protestant landholders had the representation of the people, as it is called, in
their own hands... As to the interest or wishes of the community, that was not pretended
to, and the men thus returned had the power (for the power of England was to support them)
of taxing the people of Ireland to what amount their Honours and consciences directed.
In proportion then as the people show any desire to assume political consequence, these
gentlemen will all unite with the English party against the common enemy - the people -
and in proportion as the people are crushed and torpid, the separate interest of these
gentlemen in counties and boroughs, making of roads, canals, excisemen, commisioners,
Bishops, Judges, etc, etc, etc, will be considered and differences will arise: This will
serve as a clue to the Parliamentary Debates...
This aristocracy or oligarchy, governed Ireland with despotic sway, such a system could
only be upheld, either -
First, by foreign and extrinsic power, which could at any time crush the whole nation; Two,
by ignorance; Three, by cowardice; Fourth, by want of military resources in the people; or
Finally, by the disunion of the people among themselves.
Now, as to the First, though England be the most powerful among the two nations, yet it is
undeniable that much of that power has been, and now is derived from the connection between
the two islands; if any person doubts of this, let him consider the immense resources in
provisions and men drawn from this country during the different wars in which England has
thought proper to engage.
Suppose every Irish soldier were withdrawn from the English armies, what a figure would
they make?
How would they protect those foreign possessions which are so much vaunted of and to which Irish merchants are forbidden to trade?
It is said that the English fleets cover the ocean - How could these fleets be provisioned
if Ireland did not furnish it?
If every Irish seaman had been withdrawn from the English fleet on the 1st of June, will
any man in his senses say, that that memorable victory would ever have been obtained?
[Battle of ??]
It is easy to dilate on this and push it still further, by showing that if Ireland, instead
of being neutral in any context in which England was engaged, was hostile, the commercial
pre-eminence of England, on which her political power is founded, would not be eclipsed,
but extinguished.
As to the Second head - ignorance, in a philosophical sense of the word, may be considered
as the sole cause that can make people slaves or wicked; but in the general acceptation of
the term, there was sufficent degree of political knowledge diffused to show the people
their rights -
As to the Third - the military history of every state of Europe bears such ample testimony
to the gallantry of the Irish, as renders any argument on this head unnecessary: It may
however, be observed, that it is very possible and frequently happens, that a person who
possesses personal courage to an eminent degree, may be deficient in political and that the
apprenhension of a constable or jail will deter, where a Company of Grenadiers or a
Battery would not; this arises from the notion of always attaching moral guilt to the
breach of human laws, an error of the greatest magnitude.
As to the Fourth - a bare inspection of the situation of Ireland and reference to what has
been said under the First head is sufficent.
The only cause then adequate to depress such a people was disunion.
So long as that prevailed, so long could this aristocracy plunder and insult the country
and even quarrel among themselves for the division of the spoil with impunity; but when
ever a union of the people takes place, when they once consider all Irishmen as their
friends and brethern, the power of this aristocracy will vanish.
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