The Express.
London, England, 1860-02-09 00:00:00

LONDON, TEUBSDAY. FEB. 9.

TM Kitt, and Intemoes have done their worst,
and still the }Luse of Common, maintains the ver-
dict it leis so often delivered, and declares that
Church I:.tea must be abolished. The majority is
not equal to that of last year, nor even to that of
1958. lost retool' was to be foreseen. Tee majority
was 70 in 1969, it is now 29. The difference is
made, sot by the diminution of the number of mem-
bers favourable to Sir JOll,l Tar.Liwer's Bil', for
their number is greatly increased, but by the
attendacce in large numbers of those who
have not hitherto opposed it. In 1958 the
snood reading of the Bill was carried by 214,
and in 1839 by 191 votes. It was supported and
carried yesterday by 263 votes. The members
voting against the Bill, who, in 1958, numbered
160, and in 1819.99 on the second reading, mustered
yesterday to the number of 234. Looking at the
extraoriinary efforts that have been made, we are
not in the least surprised at the result of this divi.
aloe, mach as we may regret it for the sake of
peace. The nett majority by which Church Rates
were condemned yesterday is much smaller than has
sufficed ere now to carry measures which have revo-
lutionised the State. Its diminution may harden the
Peers in their reeivtanes to the measure, but this is
all it will do, all probably it was expected to do,
As for the loose and thoughtless talk about a great
change which it was said had come over public opinion
on this rahject, the assertion is ridiculous. Men like
Archdeacon Dretvox, who live in their own imagi-
nary world, and dream of a return of the glorious
days of Leto, may to pardoned this folly; bee the
intelligent leaders of their party know better. IVe
all know the origin and character of the recent
noisy pro-Church Kate agitation—:hat it has been an
affair of Noires and priests, and has flourished no-
where but in the least intelligent parishes of the
least intelligent parts of the kingdom. The men on
whom the Church Rate party most rely to conduct theit
ease to an issue no more adopt the standing ground
of the Archdeacon's petition than we do. Mr.W.th-
tote destroyed their pretensions when he brought in
a Bill to relieve Diesenters from the obligation of
paying rate, i proposition wholly inconsistent with
the high theories of rights which those gentlemen
put forward. That proposition, which would
have ben a premium oa the outward profession of
Nouconiormity, might hare been accepted by the
I hamsters when the relations of the Church to the
State were less generally sederstood, and when •
sectarian spirit was more rife than at pedant. But
the advocates of Church Rates, inculcating in vestries
all the year round the doctrine of the nationality of
the Church of England, have t fight the lawn only
to, well. Because the Church of England stands in
the position of a national institution, Dissenters
perceive that as Englishmen they have se good a
right to have a voice in all legislation which affects
it ma thry hare in respect of the Army or Navy.
Thus the day is gone by when they could brooked to
forego theme rights in return for exemption from
Church Hate*. They inherit them, irrespective of
their opinions, is common alike with Churchman
and Atheirts, as Englishmen, and they will make a
great net-take if ever they separate their cease in dal*
controvrny f•orn that of thereat of theireountrytnen.
T:cia Chureh Rate question might to be discussed
and settled on the broadest porible grounds. The
rates upon she continued payment of which plurals'.
.‘rehdescoes tell us the existence) of the Church
depend', produce an inconsiderable amount—fu
below the sums vo.untarily subscribed every year
fur the conversion of black, and yellow, and copper_
cologne' people, far away in deserts and islands.
whom we sever ea+ and hall see. if Church-
men generally bad been trained to regard their reli-
gion a, a personal thing worth making personal nevi-
tlces for, rather than as an iestoution of the State
they would have permitted their Church to
stead in a degrading aepeet, ex ist isg by rentribtatioss
tamed tam theme who differ from it. Bat it