Some people say that it is to be
found in the Roman Catholic religion; but I look to Belgium,
and there I see a people second to none in Europe, except the
English, for industry, singularly prosperous, considering the
small space of country that they occupy, having improved to the
utmost the natural resources of that country, but distinguished
among all the peoples of Europe for the earnestness and
intensity of their Roman Catholic belief. Therefore, I cannot
say that the cause of the Irish distress is to be found in the
Roman Catholic religion. An hon. friend near me says that it
arises from the Irish people listening to demagogues. I have as
much dislike to demagogues as he has, but when I look to the
Northern States of America I see there people who listen to
demagogues, but who undoubtedly have not been wanting in
material prosperity. It cannot be demagogues, Romanism, or the
Celtic race. What then is it? I am afraid that the one thing
which has been peculiar to Ireland has been the Government of
England."[62]
Nothing has occurred since 1865 to vary that judgment.
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