The Sun.
London, England, 1859-05-27 00:00:00

DISSENTERS, THE NEW PARLIAMENT,
AND THE GOVERNMENT.

(To the• Editors of the Freeman.)

Sms,—Permit me to avail myself of your columns for the
purpose of bringing together some of the results of the late
general election, which may serve to guide the future pro-
ceedings of the friends of religious freedom.
As far as we are concerned we have shared doubtless in the
numerical losses which are acknowledged to have befallen
the Liberal pally ; but our losses are neither so many nor so
important as those of the mere party, and they are counter-
balanced in our case by some considerations which do not
apply to " Ministry" and " Opposition."
I find, on comparing the results with its division lists,
that we have returned for England and Scotland alone, cer-
tainly, 260 "good men and true"—a larger number than
have, as yet, actually voted with us upon any division, and
who may, I believe, be depended on to vote our votes, irre •
spectively of the convenience of the Minister of the day. I
find also that, exclusive of what may be called neutral
changes, nearly 20 of oar gains have had the effect of dis •
placing as many of our staunchest opponents, while the ma-
jority of our losses consist of M.P.s who who did not show
themselves practically anxious to be regularly at their posts
on our divisions. It is to be observed, also, that the whole
character of the election addresse betoken an understanding
that it is no longer of use to make indefinite allusions to
civil and religious liberty. Even upon Church-rates the
"fair equivalent," " the exemption of Dissenters," " the
maintenance of the sacred edifice," have almost dropped out
of sight. Candidates who are not prepared to promise abo-
lition, say nothing.
It may be doubted whether there is much more in the alli-
ance said to be struck up between the Government and the
Irish Catholics, than the natural result of the hostility enter-
tained by that body to Lord John Russell ever since the
Ecclesiastical Titles Bill. Their absence, if necessary, from
any division likely to place that noble lord in power,
might, I imagine, be calculated upon quite independently
of any charter promisable to a Catholic University. But,
be this as it may, it is one of those incidents of the election
which are of more importance to party interests than to
those of religious liberty. As a body, the Irish Catholic
M.P.'s take less interest in any religious liberty-question
not affecting the pecuniary interests of their own church
(when they usually vote wrong) than any section of the
house. While, during the late Parliament, they ought
never, according to ordinary calculation, to have brought
less than fifty votes to our assistance on any important di-
vision, and never had any difficulty in meeting Mr. Spooner
with. sixty, their indifference on Church-rates, &c , was so
much regarded as a matter of course, that they were not
expected to furnish twenty or, at the most, twenty-five
M.P.'s to the list of the Religious Liberty teller. Once,
indeed, under the influence of very unusual remonstrances,
they made an effort and brought up about forty votes to the
aid of Mr. Black; but whether they will do as much for Sir
John Trelawny at his next second reading, is generally
thought to depend mainly on their need of his assistance
for Mr. Fitzgerald's Catholic Oaths Bill. But, on the
whole, it may be taken as a pretty safe calculation,"that any
gain made by the Church party under this head will not do
materially more than make up for the losses which they
have experienced elsewhere.
Looking to the above considerations, to the not few Con-
servatives who have pledged themselves to total abolition,
to the number who, for same time past, have made it a
rule not to vote against it, and to the hitherto unde-
cided Liberals who may be expected to follow
the new lead in our favour of Lord John Russell, the
results of the recent elections ought not to alarm us for
the soundness of our cause. In what precise shape the
question may next come up it is too soon to say. Sir John
Trelawny of course brings in his bill, and Lord John sup-
ports it. Lord Palmerston abstains from voting against it,
but makes no further sign, and is understood to have re-
sisted efforts from his more influential personal followers to
induce him to declare himself. Mr. Estcourt has promised
a bill of his own, the nature of which he has not stated, but
which, if his own, will be not slightly in advance of Mr.
Walpole's extraordinary production. Lord Stanley, again,
is the only Cabinet Minister who has committed himself,
both in and out of office, to pure and simple abolition—not
voting for the measure of his own Government, and voting-,
a few days after, in the majority with Sir J. Trelawny.
It will be impossible that there should not be a party divi-
sion, and it will be impossible for the advanced Liberal
leaders not to take a part of their own in the arrangements
which precede it. In these arrangements it ought to be
understood that in whatever constituencies there is a Libe-
ral party (whether county or borough), that party is always
mere or less composed of a Dissenting element, without
whose cordial concurrence it is impossible to win at an
election. The least, therefore, that can be offered by an
expectant Liberal Ministry is, that Church-rate Abolition
shall be a Cabinet question. It ought to be equally, of
course, that the bill for Abolishing Rates in Government
Schools, if not taken up by the Government, should receive
their cordial support. Our friends in the House may be
well assured that their conduct will be approved out of doors,
if they abstain from turning out the present Government
without explicit assurances on both these heads.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
Q IN THE. CORNER.

barannounces
at Albi,
the death of M. Canet, senior
'prin caused by a singular acci-
after amonth's dreadful suft
went with several friends to a
acci-
dent. On the 10th ult. he wen
sermon by a celebrated
nmablerd thofTtahren
SAD ACCIDENT.—The. Jromua;
while waiting for their
preacher. After the service,
friendand amused themselves by
carriage, M. Canet and a
While so engaged his
church some miles from Albi to hear a
fencing with their walking sticks.
~ t pain. Surgical
Canet's right eye, and caused him gr,
l the wound was
assistance being immediately procured,
were apprehended,
friend's stick accidentally entered the inside corner of M.
dressed, and at first no ill consequences
, the head
that medical skill could do, inflammation set m
but Unfavourable symptoms supervened, and, in spite of all
swelled, and death ensued.
Pills.—
LADVERTISEMENT.]-110110Way'S Ointment and
se-;
To
Tumours—Cancers.—If any departure from health requires
earlier attention than another to prevent disastrous con
quences it is the class of diseases now under review.
save hazard and future pain the budding tumour must have
early attention, or days of discomfort and nights of dis-
quietude will be the sufferer's portion. Whenever the
ail-
ment appears, after fomenting the spot with warm water,
Holloway's Ointment must be energetically rubbed on the
part till a considerable quantity is absorbed. The pills too
must be commenced with early. If' these remedies be
diligently persevered with the simple tumour or the fell
cancers are arrested ; the influence of HollOway's prepara-
tion:, con4uers the 1)0'69, ;releases the body, and dispels
mental altgtliEll. • •