That the Earl of Shrewsbury had been converted to Repeal
was reported in Dublin several weeks ago; but the fact is now attested by a letter from the Earl to Dr. Winter, published in the Tipperary Free Press. Lord Shrewsbury says that he formerly opposed Repeal, because he looked upon it as Republica: ism, and upon Republicanism as Communism; but the French Revolution has quite altered his view; for if Repeal were to be the consequence of rebellion, it would establish the government of the rabble. Hence he thinks that all classes should unite to obtain the measure.
"The present Administration is infatuated, and I feel confident that we have no hope from them. Their intentions are equally good, but they have not the energy to carry them out; and give for a reason, that the prejudices of Scotland and England are too great to be surmounted by anything less than bloodshed and confusion, both here and in Ireland.
"If, then, a sufficiently formidable display of Repealers could be organized, I think the Government would resign their power to Sir Robert Peel, to whom every one looks forward as the probable saviour of his country. This would be another hope; fa perhaps Peel's justice, and the settlement of the Church question, might avert Repeal itself: if not, he would be far more likely to make the necessary sacrifice to escape that most awful of all calamities civil war. In fine, things i
cannot go on as they are, and any expedient worth the trial for the safety of the empire. Ireland, alas! is not like Sicily, but is full of antagonistic races and antagonistic principles; so that, unless the whole power of the Catholic clergy be brought to bear upon the conduct of the Legislature, in case of Repeal we should soon beinvolved in a worse predicament than that from which Ireland is now seeking to escape. All, then, will depend upon the assertion of sound prin- ciples by the clergy: if they fall into Republicanism, and Republicanism is to lead to Communism and Infidelity, we had far better light it out, and leave the issue to Goa."
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