The Sun.
London, England, 1852-10-30 00:00:00

RELIGIOUS EQUALITY IN IRELAND.

In accordance with a resolution adopted at a prepara-
tory meeting, held in Dublin on the 10th of September,
a conference of the " Friends of Religious Equality"
took place on Thursday in the Concert-room of the Ro-
tunda, Dublin. The chief object of the promoters of the
meeting was to consider and decide upon the most effec-
tive means for procuring the withdrawal of its tempo-
ralities from the Established Church in Ireland. Among
those present were Mr. W. F. Lucas. M.P., Mr. G. H.
Moore, M.P., Mr. W. Keogh, M.P., Serjeant Shea,
M.P., Mr. J. T. Devereux, M.P., Mr. T. Meagher,
M.P.. Mr. N. M. Power, M.P., Mr. J. M‘Cann, M.P.,
Mr. W. H. Megan, M.P., Sir T. O'Brien, ALP., Mr.
R. Swift, M.P.. Mr. A. O'Fiaherty, M.P., Mr. J, F.
Maguire, M.P., Mr. W. H. Cogan, M.P., Mr. J. Sad-
leir, M.P., Mr. J. Greene, M.P., Mr. It. Potter, M.P.,
Captain Bellew, M.P., Mr. Tristram Kennedy, M.P.,
Mr. C. G. Duffy, M.P., Mr. F. Scully, M.P., Mr. M.
Dunne, M.P.' Mr. P. O'Brien, M.P., Mr. M. J. Blake,
M.P., Mr. 0. D. J. Grace, M.P., Mr. D. O'Connor
Henchy, M.P., Mr. John Reynolds, M:P., the Rev.
James Maher, P.P.' Carlow; the Rev. Thomas O'Shea,
Callan; the Rev. N. M'Evoy, P.P., Keils; the Rev.
Mr. Quaid, P.P., county of Clare; Sir Simon Bradstreet;
the Rev. Gerald Doyle, P.P., Naas; the Rev. Mr. Boy-
lan, P.P., Enniskillen; and the Rev. Mr. Croke, P.P.,
Charleville. There were over 300 persons present
from various parts of the county. Two thirds of
the assemblage consisted of Roman Catholic. priests.
On the motion of Mr. R. Potter. M.P., seconded
by the Rev. Mr. Quaid, p.p.,
Mr. G. Moore, M.P. the chair was taken by
Mr. F. Lucas, M.P., and Dr.
Gray were requested to act as secretaries to the meeting.
Mr. G. H. Moore, M.P., in his opening address rept,
diated the intolerant and tyrannical conduct of that potty
tyrant, the Duke of Tuscany, towards the Madiai. Mr.
Reynolds, late M.P., also gave the despot a touch alter
his own fashion, and Mr. Serjeant Shea a ponderous
blow inflicted upon the "petty prince who had disgrac,d
Catholicity as for as it was in his power so to do." And
these denunciations were responded to by cries of
" Hear, hear, hear," in the presence of Mr. Lucas, who
in his Tablet has defended the Duke of Tuscany against
the attacks of the friends of civil and religious liberty—
maintaining that the said Duke was quite light, and
that he (Lucas) would pursue the same course were he
in the sumo position. Mr. Lucas did not let these
liberal slips pass ; he objected to their introduction ;
they had nothing to do with the question before the
meeting ; but for unanimity sake ho would not ex-
his mind then as he might be disposed to do.
Dr. Grey, proprietor of the Freeman, then read a report
from the committee, which showed to the satisfaction of
the meeting the possibility of putting down the Church—
provided only all the opponents of the establishment
worked together as one man, and merged alt their dis-
sensions. " Oh, impossible condition," murmured three
or four priests. Several resolutions were then britfl)
moved and seconded by Messrs. Kennedy, M.l'., M'Cann,
aI.P., Duffy, M.P., Potter, M. 1?., Maguire, M.P., and
Bellew, M.P.; Fathers M'Quade, Kearney, &c. Mr.
Alderman Reynolds, ex-M.P., after denouncing the
Protestant Church, said, if his advice were taken
it would be, that before leaving that room they
should enter into a solemn resolution never
to rest day or night until they had up-
rooted that most abominable tyranny. (Cheers),
The Mayor of Drogheda proposed the eighth resolution,
which was as follows:—" That Mr. Keogh be requested
to prepare a bill or bills for the absolute and uncondi-
tional repeal of all laws that impose penalties, prohibi-
tions, tests, or oaths interfering with that perfect religious
equality which all her Majesty's subjects have a right to
enjoy." The motion was seconded by Mr. Patrick
O'Brien, M.P., and carried. Mr. Patrick Lawler moved
the ninth resolution, as follows:—" That in the opinion
of this conference all members of Parliament returned by
Liberal Irish constituencies should continue independent
of, and in opposition to, every Government which will
not make the concession of perfect religious equality, as
explained in the foregoing resolutions, a part of its
policy." Mr. Lucas, M.P., seconded the motion,
which was carried of course. Another resolution,
moved by Mr. PRESTON, WAS to the effect
" That George Henry Moore, E+q., M.P., be requested
to place a notice on the books of the House of Commons
in reference to the Irish Church question, and to bring
the same forward at such time as, on consultation with
his colleagues and the other Parliamentary friends of
religious (quality, may seem most suitable." The race
non was seconded end carried. Other resolutions of a
like character having been passed, thanks were voted to
the honorary secretaries. Mr. Moore then vacated the
chair, and the Hon. Charles Preston having been called
thereto, the warm thanks of the conference were voted
to Mr. G. 11. Moore; after which the meeting separated.
The deliberations opened at 11 o'clock, and drew on
their weary length to nearly 5 in the evening, long
before which the great room presented a beggarly array
of spectators, the proposers and seconders of the closing
resolutions and a few still unwearied listeners constitu-
ting all that was left of the solemn convocation of the
disciples of freedom.

MONEY ORDER OFFICES.—The following notice
has been issued by the post-office authorities :—A
major money order office will be opened at Eriih, in the
county of Kent, on the Ist November. A minor money
office will bo opened at tho undermentioned places at the
respective dates named :—England : Ironville, Derby-
shire, served from Alfreton, Ist November. Ireland :
Ardglass, Down, Clough, 4th November, Ball3na
hinch, Down, Dromore, 3d November ; Ballymoe,
Galway, Castlerea, Ist November ; Carlingford, Louth,
Newry, 2d November ; Castlederg, Tyrone, Strabane,
sth November ; Draperstown, Derry, Tobermory, 6th
November ; Dutgloe, Donegal, 6th November; Five
Milo Town, Tyrone, Brookborougb, 3d November;
Florence Court, Fermanagh, Enniskillen, 2d November;
Tempo, Fermanagh, Enniskillen, 3d November ; Tub-
bercurry, Sligo, Ballymote, let November. In conse-
quence of alterations in the circulation of letters, Much
Wenlock is now served (as respects money order advices)
from Wellington, Salop ; Brynmawr from New port,
Monmouthshire, instead of from Abergavenny ; and
Aberayron from Lainpeter, instead of from Aberst-
wyth. Postmasters aro informed that Crook is served
from Darlington, and not from Durham ; and that And-
km is erroneously stated in the lists, of money oi der
offices to be in Staffordshire, instead of Cheshire. The
books of Money order offices MUSS be corrected acord-
iugly,