The Sun.
London, England, 1868-03-14 00:00:00

LONDON, SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 1868.

Mr. BRIGHT was last night in one of his happiest
moods, and the House of Commons evidently ap-
preciated his efforts, for his speech was cheered
throughout, and the latter part more especially so.
This was as it should be, for the hon. member for
Birmingham approached his subject in the right
spirit, and seemed anxious to express himself with
moderation. His shortcomings and errors on many
subjects have been great, and on this particular
topic of Ireland he has often spoken with a
vehemence that defeated its own ends ; but yester-
day he took a better view of the case, and this was
shown most unmistakeably by the impression he
produced in the House. The House of Commons
can never be influenced by threats ; and the most
practised orator will fail, the most powerful states-
man not attain his purpose if he overreach
himself. This was shown very forcibly a
year or two ago when Mr. GLADSTONE
adopted so arbitrary a tone, and attempted to
dictate to the House. Mr. BRIGHT expressed his
own convictions, and explained his meaning in
language at once eloquent and earnest, and those
he did not convince ho must at least have made
certain of the force of his own impressions. He
quoted Mr. DISRAELI'S own definition of the state
of things in Ireland —" An absentee aristocracy,
and an alien Church ;" and then, having fully ad-
mitted the grievances, he set about thinking of the
remedies. As might have been expected, he pre-
ferred his own plan to that of Lord MATO'S, and
argued that, instead of lending money to tenants
for improvements, it would be much better to lend
them the sum for buying land. Towards the latter
portion of his speech Mr. BRIGHT turned upon the
religious question, and declared that the proposal to
establish a Catholic University would not answer
the end desired. The hon. member pro-
ceeded to illustrate his own proposition,
and announces that the voluntary principle was the
only one to establish. As for Lord RUSSELL'S
vaunted pamphlet, he disposed of that very sum-
marily, by declaring it was forty years too late.
The scheme of Mr. BRIGHT, if successful, might
answer the end in view—the pacification of Ireland;
but the difficulty is whether those most immediately
concerned would agree. In the first place, he
would dis-establish and dis-endow all churches of
whatever denomination they may be, and at the same
time preserve the life-interests of the Catholic priests,
the Protestant bishops, and the Presbyterian
ministers. At first sight no doubt many would
exclaim that the whole idea of such a change is quite
erroneous, and that the working of it would be im-
practicable ; but after a time they may perceive that
it has its advantages to recommend it. It is bold
and straightforward at any rate, and it shows no
prejudice or partiality for any one side or sect.
No one can deny that the general definitions
which the hon. member gave of the condition of
things was correct, and that the spirit in which all
reforms must be conducted was well declared to be
imperatively that of " mutual and reasonable con-
ces,sion." Mr. DISRAELI, he admitted, might not
be strong enough to deal with the question practi-
cally in all its bearings, but Mr. BRIGHT declared
that he would be most willing to co-operate with
him, if possible, in:order to secure the much-sought-
for object of rendering justice .to Ireland, and
removing all causes of discontent and irritation.
He would recommend all who would have to deal
with this subject now or hereafter, partially or
completely. to follow in the spirit, if not in the
letter, the advice here tendered to them by Mr.
BRIGHT at the close of his remarks. How true it
is that we should all seek to get rid of passion
in discussing religion, although it is a subject
that in all ages and in all countries has created
and given rise to the feeling. Mr. BRIGHT rose to