The Sun.
London, England, 1851-06-21 00:00:00

THE SUN,

The House adjourned, at a Quarter•past One o'clock,
until Monday.

The Ecclesiastical Titles Assumption Bill having
gone into Committee, may be considered to have vir-
tually passed the House of Commons. We rejoice to
find that the time allowed for reflection has not been
misspent. The discussion was carried forward in
the fairest and most legitimate manner, and there was
a total absence of anything approaching to factious
opposition, or of any attempt to distort the rules and
regulations of the House from their real meaning, or
to bring them into operation in a manner totally op-
posed to the spirit in which they were ori-
ginally conceived. We congratulate the com-
munity in general on this auspicious result.
The stumbling-block that has hitherto prevented the
infusion of new blood into the Ministry—that has re-
tained Sir CHARLES WOOD at the Exchequer, to
afford new evidences of financial imbecility, and to
resist with dogged obstinacy every amelioration, will
speedily be removed. The subject that had almost
evoked the demon of religious intolerance, and set
brother against brother for opinion sake, that unloosed
" Civil dissension with its vip'rous tooth,
That gnaws the bowels of the commonweal,"
will at once, and we trust for ever, be set at rest. The
Act, when passed, will remain as a perpetual protest
against the interference of any foreign potentate:with the
domestic concerns of the United Kingdom. It may be
regarded as a solemn declaration of British indepen-
dence, such as would have been sanctioned by our
Roman Catholic ancestors before the Reformation.
That is its great end and object, and most earnestly
do we hope that it may never require to be brought
into practical operation.
On the part of the British people we totally and
entirely disclaim any desire to interfere with
the free exercise of the Roman Catholic religion,
or to impose any penalty or disability on its professors.
Our principles are, as they ever have been, those of
universal toleration—that every man should be at
liberty to worship his CREATOR in the manner which
in his soul and conscience he deemed most proper,
without let or hindrance, or being called to account
therefor. But we positively deny the right of the
PoNYirr to parcel out at his mere will and pleasure
the British soil into ecclesiastical divisions—to create
bishops with territorial titles, holding temporal rank
in this country, or to depose such bishops if created.
The customs that prevailed in this country
from the olden time —even before the Norman
conquest to the reign of HENRY Vlll.—and from
thence to the present period ; nay, more, the cus-
toms prevailing in almost every Roman country of
Europe at this moment, clearly show that a sacrifice
of national independence is not essential to the free
exercise of the Roman Catholic religion. Why,
then, should we be expected to submit to conduct
which would be steadfastly and energetically re-
sisted by the authorities in France or Belgium ? and
why should a temperate vindication of the preroga-
tives of our SOVEREIGN be characterised as an act of
illiberality—a reactionary course, unbecoming the
latter moiety of the nineteenth century, and more be-
coming the spirit in which the penal code was con-
ceived than that more benignant one in which the
Emancipation Act was framed ?
Several amendments were brought forward last
eight, on all of which the Government succeeded by
large majorities. As the entire matter has been so
fully canvassed already, it is quite unnecessary to
enter at any length into the details. The chief ques-
tion was, whether the Act should extend to Ireland.
The Honourable Gentleman the Member for Roch-
dale having moved the introduction of a clause
exempting that country from its operation,
this led to rather an animated debate, during
which a passage at arms occurred, and lances
were broken between the Members for Galway and
West Surrey. There might be some truth in the
assertion that there was considerable difference in the
state of affairs in England and Ireland ; but we
cannot forget that the chief argument of the oppo-
nents of any legislation whatsoever in the first in-
stance was, that no law could be made for England
that should not also apply to Ireland, and they
relied on the condition of that country as being
unfavourable to any enactments whatsoever

We felt that the parties were assuming
dangerous ground, that they were proving rather too

much for their own interests. It has turned out ac

cording to our anticipations. The inconsistency of

having different laws for different portions of the
United Kingdom was no sooner recognised and acted

on than a new light broke in on its most strenuous

supporters; and they no sooner found that Ireland
could not carry England along with it to a port of

safety than they endeavoured to " cut the painter,"
and dissolve the connexion. They cannot, however,

complain at being taken at their own words, and
being practically taught that they are in all respects
in the same boat with their English brethren. For

our own parts, we confess that we object to any ex-
clusive legislation, and conceive that the laws of the
United Kingdom should be assimilated in every par-
ticular, so that Ireland should indeed be an integral
part of the British dominions.

Angry passions are beginning to develope them-
selves more and more clearly each day in the discus-
slops of the French Legislative Assembly. In pro-
portion to
on
the
Republican representatives tnimeaererwhtoichthe pbrienrigsod
the expiration of their authority, the more factious
and violent amongst them
m become
seem toconscious
that their opportunities
for provoking excitement are
being perceptibly diminished. Insomuch has this
been rendered apparent, that
m.p
LAm A
has found himself compelled at laßs t addresstoß T iNj3
a dignified remonstrance to those Mountaineers
who venture to raise from the tribune of the consti
tutional Legislature itself the outcry of organized-
sedition. This remonstrance has been articulated by
the founder of the Republic through the medium of
his organ as a journalist—the Pays at all moments
addressing its intelligence to the solution of the (lift_
culties now thickening rapidly round the Democracy.
Aided though they may be by such lights of pa.
triotism, and probity, and statesmanship, the
citizens of France must experience almost in-
surmountable obstacles to the formation of a
J't estimate of the political situation of their
Country. First, the responsibility of modifying the
Constitution will devolve upon the Assembly, and
after that will depend upon the people the great
and momentous duty of selecting their second Re-
publican President. 'with reference to the former
proceeding, the course most advisable to be pursued
by the popular representatives is too obvious to neces-
sitate any very explicit definition. As to the choice

the words " used as the designation of office in such
church, or tl the use of the title of archbishop, bishop,
or dean, taken by any person solely as the designation
of his office, for the government of any voluntary church
according to its rules and usages, and not chiming to
have by law in respect of such title any jur sdiction,
authority, or pre-eminence in the United Kingdom."
Sir G. GREY opposed the amendment, which, upon a
division, was rejected by 118 against 33.
The third (and last) clause was agreed to without a
division.
Mr. S. CRAWFORD then moved to add a new clause,
exempting Ireland from the operation of the Bill.
The SOLICITOR-GENERAL opposed the clause as tanta-
mount to a declaration that the QUEEN'S prerogative did
not extend to Ireland.
After a lengthened discussion the clause was negatived
by 255 against 60.
Sir ROBERT HARRY INGus moved a clause declaring
her MAJESTY'S pre-eminence in right of her imperial
crown; that the Bishop of RoME had of late years as-
sumed jurisdiction within this realm, by constituting sees
and appointing bishops; that such assumptions have no
foundation in the law of this realm, but are rather mani-
festly against all law; that the grant of rank, precedence,
and titles cannot by law be imparted to the bishops and
clergy of any communion other than that of the Esta-
blished Church; and enacting that it shall not be lawful
for any servant of the Crown to allow any rank or pre-
cedence, or to use any title of honour in respect of any
ecclesiastical dignity in the Church of Rome, to any per-
son not having her MAJESTY'S licence for such title; with
a proviso in favour of any usage of
forra the maintenancenkortitle in any
dependency ceded to the Crown where special provision
shall have been made by the treaty
Lordn' JOHN RUSSELL, and
of
Thethe Celheuerscehwoafeßopompoesetdhebryei
r it, 166.
on a division was negatived by
a unajuity of 45, the
numbers being—for the clause, 191; against
The CHAIRMAN was then ordered to report progress,
and the House resumed.
Board of
General
The G
of Health Bill passed through
The
Committee.
report of the Prevention of Offences Bill, with -
amendments, was considered.
The report of the Committee on home-made spirits in
bond was received; the resolution was agreed to, and a
Bill was ordered to be brought in.
Mr. LAUOUCHERE obtained leave. to bring in a Bill
to amend the Acts relating to the Merchant Seamen's
Fund.