Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-09-15
HOUSE OF COMMONS.

That the new British House of Commons is
not the Reformed in point of decorum, would
seem quite evident by the subjoined extract
from the London Morning Chronicles report
of the debate of the 2sth July, on the Admis-
sion of Dissenters to the Universities.
WMr. Gouhnrn contended that the admission
of the Disorders to the Universities would be
destructive Of the present system Of education
pnrsled at those Institutions. 1t had been said
that the measure would be but complimentary
To the DissenterS; but he would not consent, for
the purpose Of complimentng the Dlssenters,
TO deny to the Universities the propriety Of
training up their inmates in a religious system,
for he felt satisfied that il the forms were aban-
doned. the religion would be abandoned Also
WHY. the established law of the land said that
n Catholic should not egislate for the Church OF
England that he should have no voice i'm its re-
puations or offices; but this bill permitted a
Catholic TO take degree in the Universities or,
in other words, to have power and authority
and influence, in the very teeth of the statute he
referred to. This appeared to him to be most
monstrous and uncalled for innovation: lques-
ton dlvide.1 twas, in fact, Overturnlng the
established usages of the Universities, and put
tine men in power over them whose principles
were directly opposed to them. Let them look
to the grammar schools uproar and great
laughter The founders of these schools d-
rected that those who conducted them should
have graduated at these Universities which
were close allies and supporters OF the estab-
ished religion Question, and now they were
about to say that the test which was required by
these benevolent founders-which was, in fact,
the condition of the legacy-shoud be done
away with The object Of the founders was to
give an education OF certain religious charac-
ter; the object of the bill then before them was to
give an education to every religious character.
The Right Honorable Gentleman made some
further observations, which were completely
drowned in the noise and confusion which pre-
vailed
Lord Palmerston rose amidst the most dis
cordant sounds The Noble Lord said that the
argument of the last Right Honorable speaker
was founded on this,-that it was Incompatible
with the religious principles which formed the
Groundwork of the Universities, that persons
Offering from those principles should be empow-
cred to partake of the advantages they offered.
That was his argument; and he should cut it
from under him with one simple remark Cough
inc scraping of feet, and eXpectoration.) How
did the Right Honorable Gentleman reconcile
his argument with the practice! (uproar.) Dis
senters could have the benefits of education at
Cambridge as completely now, as they could
under the provisions of the bill which they were
then discussing. Ii seemed to him (Lord Pal
merston) that the argument answered ITSELF
But if was said that the measure before them
was subversive of the true interest OF the State
coughing. and vehement cries OF pan. Ill
vide, divider) He denied that it was so, and
would declare his honest opinion that it would
tend to strengthen and perpetuate those great
interests. He really could not see on what
ground those who consented to the repeal ofthe
Test and Corporation Acts, and the emancipa-
ton of the Catholics, opposed this act of sub
stantial justice (great uproar and yelling.) But
it was argued by Gentlemen who disapproved
of this bill, that it would be Intellectual for its
purpose,-why then, oppose ii so vehemently2
This was, to say the least most inconsistent
He never would believe that the authorities of
the Universities, high minded and honorable as
heknew them to be, would enact bye-laws which
would have the effect of defeating the expressed
intentions Of the Legislature. (Question, ques-
tion.)
"Sir r. Inglis essayed to address the House.
Init for many seconds his words were complete
Iv drowned in the noise. We can characterize
the scene by no other epthets than those applied
IN humber assembages when equally unruly-
ga regular row. We think that the hon. Baro-
net declared that whatever might be thought of
the authorities OF the Universities, they would
be found to act from conscientious motives, and
on lofty principles. He could very well believe
that Wing would prefer place to principle