The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. 06 (of 12)Burke, Edmund
Philosophy
The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. 06 (of 12)
Burke, Edmund
Great Britain -- Politics and government -- 1760-1820; Political science -- Early works to 1800
Observe, that I have not heard a word of any news relative to it, from
thence or from London; so that I am only going to state to you my
conjectures as to facts, and to speculate again on these conjectures. I
have a strong notion that the lateness of our meeting is owing to the
previous arrangements intended in Ireland. I suspect they mean that
Ireland should take a sort of lead, and act an efficient part in this
war, both with men and money. It will sound well, when we meet, to tell
us of the active zeal and loyalty of the people of Ireland, and contrast
it with the rebellious spirit of America. It will be a popular
topic,--the perfect confidence of Ireland in the power of the British
Parliament. From thence they will argue the little danger which any
dependency of the crown has to apprehend from the enforcement of that
authority. It will be, too, somewhat flattering to the country
gentlemen, who might otherwise begin to be sullen, to hold out that the
burden is not wholly to rest upon them; and it will pique our pride to
be told that Ireland has cheerfully stepped forward: and when a
dependant of this kingdom has already engaged itself in another year's
war, merely for our dignity, how can we, who are principals in the
quarrel, hold off? This scheme of policy seems to me so very obvious,
and is likely to be of so much service to the present system, that I
cannot conceive it possible they should neglect it, or something like
it. They have already put the people of Ireland to the proof. Have they
not borne the Earl of Buckinghamshire, the person who was employed to
move the fiery committee in the House of Lords in order to stimulate the
ministry to this war, who was in the chair, and who moved the
resolutions?
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