The Express.
London, England, 1860-12-08 00:00:00

MR. DISRAELI UPON CHURCH-RATES.

A very numerous and influential meeting of the
clergy and laity of the rural deanery of Amersham was
held at Prestwood, Buckinghamshire, on the 4th inst., to
consider the present aspect of the church-rate question, and
the course expedient to adopt with regard to it. The rural
dean (the Rev. T. Evrrre) was called to the chair. After
some discussion,
The Right Hon. B. DISRAELI proceeded to contend that
the progress of the movement for the abolition of church.
rates was to be attributed to the want of union and orgaui•
satire among churchmen. This want of union was owing
to the disruption of political parties, and to dispute% among
the clergy themselves. Having commented upon each of
these heads, the right honourable gentleman observed that
the question arose, suppose churchmen were again
united and organised, as he hoped they might
he, on what comae should they agree with regard
to church-rates ? They could nut conceal from themselves
that on this subject there were two opinions among their
friends. Some were for compromise. What did cumpn,..
miss mean! Did it mean improvement' If so, be was for
compromise. It might be expedient that the church-rate,
levied in a district, should be applied to the church of that
district ; that when the rate was levied, the purlieu,'
to which it should be applied should be more precisely
defiued ; that the means of obtaining the rate, when
voted, should be more prompt and effective; that there
should be no particular charge called church-rate, but a
genera parochial rate, from which the necessary expenses for
the fabric and service of the church should be deducted by
the wardens, under certain limitations. All these might be
improvements, but all these were mere matters of detail ;
and what was the use of attempting to legislate on matters
of detail, when the principle was not only contested, but
even rejected in a branch of the legislature ? But sonic of
their (needs wouldgo further than this. They wouklexenipt
the dissenter from the charge. That was not compromise ;
that was surrender ; it was acknowledging that the church
of England was no longer a national church. But it was
conceding more even than that. There was a public charge,
of which all the circumstances were of a popular character.
It was ancient ; it was for a general, not to say a common
purpose ; it was levied by public vote. If in a country
where the majority decide everything the minority ware, on
the ground of conscientious scruple, to be extnipted from a
public payment, on what principle could your society be held
together' landowners might have a conscientious scruple
against paying. the public creuitor ; pesos societies might
have • conscientious scruple against paying war taxes.
What the dissenter demands is, in fact, an oligarchical
privilege, and the principle, if conceded and pursued, may
lead to general confusion. But there was one more objec-
tion urged by their friends against levying the church-rate
that it was impracticable. Was it impracticable? In the vast
majority of parishes it was raised with facility. But then it
was urged that the parishes which refuse were the paruhee
of the large towns, and that their aggregate population was
scarcely inferior to that vast majonty of parishes in which
it was raised. But this immense population were not dis-
senters ; they were not the votaries of rival creeds and este-
bliehmente—they were ignorant, or indifferent, or more
unfortunate. Were we, then, to maintain that the church
was to retire from the duty of wounding with this um-
eyuliesthisiog or unbelieving mass' The greatest triumphs
of the church bad been accomplished in great towns. If
the influence of the church was limited in great towns, it
was not because its means were ineffective, but because they
were insufficient. When they considered the nature of the
religious principle, be would be a bold man who would main.
twin that in their teeming seats of industry there might not
be destined for the church a triumphant future. Who could
foresee the history of the next quarter of a century It
would not probably be as tranquil as the last. What if it
were • period of great religious confusion and excitement
The country would cling toe church which combined Wert.
tiou with orthodoxy, and united divine instruction with
humus sympathies. Is it wise, then, publicly to announce
by legislation that the church of England relinquishes the
character of a national church' On these grounds lie could
not recommend the present meeting to sanction the prin.
ciple of exemption. He felt deeply the responsibility of
giving such advice ; he knew he was opposing the recom-
mendation of the committee of the House of Lords in 1859,
and of what was then, at least, the unanimous opinion of
the bench of bishops. He need not say that for the House
of Lords he felt a profound respect, In maturity of judg-
ment and in calmness of inquiry he thought the labours of
the great committees of the Leeds were superior to those of
the Commons, in acuteness of investigation they were
not inferior ; but in the interpretation of public opinion,
he thought—and it was, perhaps, in the necessity of
things—that the Commons had the advantage. He thought
that the Lords' Committee bad been precipitate in
their course in the matter of church-rates ; he
thought that they bad mistaken public humour for public
opinion. He was sustained in the difficult and painful
course he was taking by the recollection of what occurred
in the spring and at the last meeting of the clergy and laity
of this deanery. Then the second reading of Sr John Tre-
lawny's bill had been carried by • much reduced majority,
and the advocates of what is fallaciously styled compromise
were strongly in favour of what they called salting the
opportunity for a settlement. He (Mr. Disraeli) was of a
different upinion. He did not think that the advantage
which the church had then obtained was only a happy
casualty. He thought it was the break of dawn. He did
his utmost to dissuade hie friends from relinquishing the
corded, and ultimately, on has sole reeponsibility opposed
the third reading of Sir John Trelawny's bill. 'the whole
country was agitated on that occasion by the opponenti of
the church to regain the lost ground. Instead of that, the
majority against church-rates, which had sat like an incubus
on the church for 20 years, virtually disappeared. They
owed to that division their present commanding position.
It was in their power, if they chose it, to close this con-
troversy for ever, not by • feeble concession, but by a bold
assertion of public right. They sent 5,0110 petitions in
favour of that public right to the House of Commons last
session. Let them send this year 15,0110. Every perish
should have its petition. They must not be merely signed
by the incumbent and the churchwardens, as they were in
some instances, or by ratepayers merely, as in many
cues, but by an mans persons as they could obtain. It
was the cause of all. There was no greater 'Allstate than
to suppose petitions produced little effect on the House
of Commons. They produced great effect. The number
of petitions, the number and nature of their signatures,
the classes from which they proceed, are all weighed
and canvassed. There is a report every week sent by a
select committee to every member of parliameat on these
heads. The clergy never extensively move in this manner
without exercising great authority. They could not pets.
tioll 1.00 much. They should not wait for the attack. They
should send in their petitions as soon as parliament meets,
on a broad issue, in favour of maintaining the union between
church and state, and, incidentally, in favour of church.
rates. They should also encourage and establish church
Unions in every part of England. They should habituate the
laity to act with the clergy in all matters of public moment
to the church. There was • third course also to take, and hers
he particularly would address himself to his clerical friends.
The laity, through that excellent body, the "Co:ninittee of
Laymen," bad done their duty in that respect. He bad
always discouraged the clergy from entering into mere party
politics ; but now lie told them frankly that if they
wanted to succeed, they intuit bring their influence to bear
on members of the House of Commons, The question of
church-rates had, fortunately, not yet fallen into the
catalogue of party politics. More than one member of the
present cabinet recorded at least his vote in their favour.
The clergy must make members of parliament under-
stand that, though this was not a party, it was
• political question, and a political question on which, in
their minds, there ought not to be, and there could
not be, any mistake. He could 'sure them, from his own
knowledge, that there were many members of parliament
who, ou this question, gave careless votes, and thought by
an doing they were giving some vague liberal satisfaction
without preparing any future inconvenience for themselves.
Let their clerical fneods, whig or tory, conservative or
liberal, make these gentlemen understand that, in their
opinion, in the union of church and state depend, in a
large mateure, the happiness, the greatness, and the liberty
of Englaul
The right hon. gentleman, who was listened to with
profound attention, sat down amid general applause, and,
after discussion,

Mr. LOWNDEB CRISMAN moved three resolutions, em•
bodying the recommendations of Mr. Disraeli, which were
adopted new. CON.

'MR. SMITH O'BRIEN ON THI: ITALIAN Quits-
TION. —The reply of Mr. Smith O'Brien to an le-
vitation to attend the Brigade banquet at Limerick
has only just been published. The following is
an extract :—"For many reasons I am at all tunes
desirous to comply with the wishes of the congregated
trades of Limerick, but in the present instance I could not
do so consistently with the opinion which I entertain iu re-
gard to the affairs of Italy. I cannot develop° my views
with respect to 'the Italian question,' without occupying
too 11110C11 of your time, but I may say in general terms that
the principle enunciated in the words ' Ireland for the
Irish,' is Se applicable to Italy as it is to Ireland ; and that
the Italians are entitled to establish in their own country
a system of government which shall be acceptable to them
without the intervention of foreign coercion of any kind-
The cane of the Papal territories differs in some 1110S111/00
from that of Lombardy or of Venice, and, although lam
a protestant, I regret that the Pope should have lost dos
minions which secured his independence as spiritual head
of a large majority of the Christian population of the woi Id,
airy and affection of his owe
but it is my coometion that he would at the present mo-
ment be still possessor of those dominions if his ministers
and advisers had not encouraged him to rely upon foreign
of
which
hiss been visited with
altallinainthesrubtreents.'"Dinsetppherol.ing. therefore, of the policy
which has surrounded the Pope with foreign legions.
whether Austrians, French. B.9**, helEiAns, or Irish, I
womn with the high tick, has caused
cannot with propriety takePayt in S dliproostration which
is founded twos approval of that policy.
INUNDATION IN Gum i.EnTERRIIIRE.—For several
'toots
an extensive Bond. Miles of meadow land are under water,
and ploughing and whiottamong have been put
an
entire
rtop to. tr,tol Afrrttry.
Pit Lhe.vagicittiituy.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.
(TEM DAY.)

-

EQUITY COURT.
(Reims the Mather el the Rolls )
M %D4r. LRt INDIA COMPANY.

• ‘1,..t., r. 4 the Rolle give judgment in the alsive
. .... On. no. It wee argued last tern, when
. ;..e .114 Mall of the facts. Hie Hooey.
.......1 that the alit was inatitated by the as-Rajah
4. &Mete
t....r4 to IeCOTOT tho maim to bes do
t. i., ..ii two procaine', nolo gives thei %Ind.
„!....er h.r 'llll,,itti. and the other tor ripen
~.,,,,.„„1, The ~ninal OM AR aka dme lbir am&
t,,....4 the .o.t, whi,h had boa mood ha the mod
. ~,,„ ~ 11.. Roo ea narrated lb. Mtn (before reported)
, , ihe ~....01...t of uootri by the delleadenta in ISM,
~,, the Estsi.%. po.pertt wee ecinflorated, bat wash oohs.
..ti-a did DA I.y name, as tho bovastery proved, inelseli the
~. ”0.....ry note., sre'. hi at that ported were in the beads of
t 1; ~th'. tsents. The defendanteenatention was that the
isli,
,:e lintDO jUID.II.IIOO, insomuch's the odious er. one
1,„, a ~.-i, e.. e regu pot era =betweira lad% as sovereign of
.-...c,;...n.1 the 4.4ctulsoteaseovereire of oda. If this pro-
-1..41. n a en• made out the can was elearLand the court had
le, parer or .ttithortly in the iodic& His limo/ then
~:...ol.ed upon the difficulty whisk arise from the twofold
-.patty of the delendan who were both • coopentt
..o ..hsota and a ln which ofia
rspolties did they act is to the entities* affa toi-
ls., MoYOIDIDDI felatiOf to 55111 against t °erg ! Did they
take the odes, or prevent the Rajah from obtaining theft
honk his agora, regarding them as the private property of
the Itajelt, and seeking by possession of them to escape a
liability as private welkin& as • company of merchants ; et
did they flood the instruments as the property el
the plaintiff._ not in his private capacity, but as
E...iob of Cow& with whom they themselves were
.haling in their eewaretgu character. Upon this
rust his Hamar said the onus was on the plain•
wit to show that the metes belonged to the Rajah in any
. ~,,t, in say
_-'--easier whether private or public, and this
th.-. had Wed kid& mg, evidence, indeed, tended to show
t•,.t. they were the Rajah's simply ma a sovereign, and that
ek..,, le.longed rather to the state than the individual. He
lot carefully considered Os anthoritia• cited and corn-
teentrel upon in Mee argamet, but they did not affect the
imuciples upon whit& en the above view of the case the
deeision must he redo& Tbei bill would, therefore, be die.
missed, hut without ends.
Mr. R. hilmer, Mr. %briber& end Mr. Heath, of the
common law bar, were for the plaintiff. ; the Attorney.
Gruen', Kr. Lloyd, Mr. Porrylli, sod Mr. Melvin for the
defendent&

COURT OP BANKRUPTCY.
(Mon Mr. Ommaiseer Evans.)
MIX ILUINABT.
The book nipt was a tallowchandler, of Highatreet.
tho Borough, and Woolwich, whose failure took
1.1... e a few years sawn The debts are stated to amount to
n• Arty dieooi., sod two Melba& have been declared, osie of
owl the other of OIL is the pound. One creditor was not
bi receive bis dtvl aei, u bin proof, which be had
:. la.' on the 27th of November, P 4.57, had either
leso mislaid or WA. Mr. Can, the managing
la rk to Mr. Tbsers Jesse, the solicitor to
the assignees, took the osier up, and the Commissioner
drciiiesl upon admittiag the proif if an affidavit of the
13. t. was made by the claimant. This was dose, and the
ps.r akin his received his nicora. The fess for the
~t instance were put into the bill Of cede by the solicitor to
the edale, but, sailer the peculiar dotonetances, the taz•
tee master preferred taking the apinbn of the court as to
whether they should be allowed or net

Mr. Parr now submitted tits ems te
•ho distil:mid tie asst►

Mr Carr rid IN Ws Warm He senor would teat be
romoted for the es pewees carigeost as pramestlair hie
Lim, I,ut it would be a great he {p coo creditors rat ea
humble p'ati'o if they were to be %No for utistokee which
nt the miaow.* occurred in a crowded court.

RE [nlolllllll.
Mr lined preerated • petition for adjudication against
tl•nrt N.d I Knurtota, of 94, Berstoadaeystnat, leather
me-reliant. Katchts wee in this court solos mouths ago,
but .sperweled his benitruptcy by arranging to pay ti.. in
the pallid. Ibe carditor obstinately stood out, aad time
■t. so sheriwthrs bat ►gun to mud to the court. 'Ma
among. by Messrs. Johemos sad Wilma show &Ma
to .t.astr,