The Sun.
London, England, 1863-05-12 00:00:00

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The Weather—Sun Office, May 12, 1863.

THERMOMETER.
Highest since Noon yesterday
Lowest during the night ••••• ... 36
This day at N00n... • •
Wind—S.M.. ; fresh, with rainy weather

Riau WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
Tuts DAy.--Morsin g, 9h. 25m.—Afternoon, 9h. 59m,
To-uonsovr.Morning, 10h. 36m.—Afternoon, 11h. 14m.

/0416 Irki ANL vb,
EviNi 4444,

LONDON, TUESDAY, MAY 12, 1863.

Once more the Prison Ministers Bill came under
discussion ; and in committee Mr. PACKE com-
plained of the charge imposed by the bill upon the
county rate. After enumerating the various quar-
rels and dissensions to which the present arrange-
ment would give rise, he suggested that the Govern-
ment had better establish a prison in some central
part of the kingdom to which all Roman Catholic
prisoners might be committed. He moved the
omission from the clause of the words that provided
for the payment of the chaplains out of the county
rates. Sir G. GREY very properly objected to this
proposal, because, he said, that if those words were
struck out there would be no means of remunerating
theca gentlemen. Mr. BENTINCK was of opinion
that this alteration should be made. The hon.
member spoke most strongly against the bill as it
was at present constituted, and declared his con-
viction that " it was the stepping stone to a great
object which the Roman Catholic priests in this
country had for years been endeavouring to accom-
plish, namely, that of putting themselves on an
equality with the clergymen of the Church of Eng-
land." It is a great pity for those in high places
to talk in this style ; it engenders animosity, and
encourages those who are beneath them in the
social sphere to follow their lead, and thus religious
dissension is rife, where, with proper caution and
due sentiments of tolerance, it might have been
arrested. Mr. HENLEY made some very discreet
observations. He suggested that perhaps the pro-
visions of the bill might be provided out of the
Consolidated Fund. "He had supported the bill
all through from motives of justice, and he
thought it was wise to do everything to make
it work as smoothly as possible." This is the true
spirit in which to deal with such complicated ques-
tions as these, and Mr. HENLEY displayed great
judgment in his line of argument. He was one
of the chief opponents of the measure which sought
to impose a tax on charities, and by his arguments
he completely confounded the sophistry of the
Chancellor of the Exchequer. On this occasion,
also, he endeavoured to come to the rescue. Mr.
BENT/NCR'S indignation was again kindled at this
concession of his hon. friend, as he thought, and he
observed, with some acrimony, that he " very much
regretted. to find that this remarkable bill was sup-
ported by the right hon. gentleman the member for
Oxfordshire. The right hon. gentleman (Mr.
HENLEY) had said he supported the bill as an act
of justice to the Roman Catholics; but surely the
ratepayers of this country also had some claims
upon his right hon. friend." Mr. CONOLLY said
that there was no difficulty met with in Ireland
from having both Roman Catholic and Protestant
chaplains in the gaols, and, therefore, why should
such confusion be caused by a similar arrangement
in this country? Finally, the amendment was
negatived by a large majority. After some further
discussion, the bill passed through committee.
This has been a hard fought struggle,and although
there were on most occasions large majorities when
the disputed points came to a division, still there
have been so many bickerings and debates on the
topic, that, altogether, this introduction of the
prison Ministers Bill has been made the oppor-
tunity of reviving in some degree that angry spirit
of intolerance in religious matters which was so
rampant in the last generation. Therefore, not-
withstanding the apparently trivial nature of this
measure, its result has been in some way a triumph
of the important principle of civil and religious
liberty ! Insomuch so that it is most satisfactory
to think that Sir G Rpm:se:end Gtyr has succeeded
in getting his bill rough committee,
and the right hon. baronet may be congratulated
on the result, while credit is due •.o him for
the patience and perseverance which he has
shown throughout the whole of the tedious dis-
cussions, and in spite of the decided stand that
has been made against him in some quarters.
The excitement of a grand field night of debate, and
the enthusiasm that is aroused by any vital question
of importance, may urge one onward in fighting
through great obstacle:. But it is far more difficult
to withstand the petty onslaughts that are made in
committee, and the vexatious discussions on clauses
are very trying to the equanimity of any one.
Hewever, this is now what the French cad une
afairefini, and the annoyances may be forgotten,
while the result, it is to be trusted, will for many
years prove beneficial to the temporal interests,
while it conduces to the eternal welfare of those un-
happy beings who are committed to the charge of
the rulers of the land in consequence of having
violated its laws and infringed its statutes. Still,
it should never be forgotten that if, through misfor-
tune on by temptation, they are in this world Chil-
d"' Of sight, in that other and better state of
existence,
to Which we look forward they are to
A
exist for ever.fearful responsibility, therefore, is