New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-06-30

admitted rights, and no peace in compromise
between good and evil.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY IN ENGLAND.
The English Parliament, which is now on the
eve of dissolution, has done little to further
the cause Of progress either at home or
abroad. At home, it has defeated all the
bills aiming at enlarging the right of suf-
frage or at the introduction of other
political reforms, not only not redeeming
the pledges which the majority of the members
had taken to favor reform bills but being now, at
the close ofthe Parliament, more hostile toreform
than they were at its beginning. Abroad, their
chief desire has BEEN for years, TO see the great
Republic of the American Continent crippled or
destroyed; and the modification which they feel
at seeing their design thwarted, will certainly
not dispose them more favorably toward the
political principles of which this country Is the
chief representative.
The only progress on the road to greater free
dom which the English Parliament has been en-
couraging. is the repeal of some of its proscrp'
tive laws against members of tho non-estab'
lishcd churches. England has remained in this
respect far behind most Of the other countries
of Europe. 1t was not until 1929 that the
Catholics, although constituting about
one fourth of the entire population OF
the United Kingdom, were admitted
to the two Houses of Parliament. IL was
only q few years ago that the doors OF the
House of Commons were thrown open to the
Jews, but the House Of Peers still remains
closed to them Both measures had been long
desired by the country-and, now that they are
adopted, everybody sees that they had become
unavoidable, and that it will never be possible
for any statesman to revoke them. The Roman
Catholics are represented in tho House
Of Comnlvus by souic thirty Iishmen; and the
Jews. small as their number Is, have "lrcahy
secured some half-doren seats.
The present Parliament, though usually
only by small mAjor,ies, has shown itself ready
to improve this legislation still further. One
Of the last acts Of the House of Commons be-
fore its dissolution, which will be announced
within few days, was the passage to second
reading Of bill aboishing the odious test-oaths
which hitherto all Roman Catholic mem.
bers of Parliament had to take. There
WAS full attendance Of members, aud
| IL was evident that the Conservatives
intended TO make fight Of il. The party felt,
however, the uniayorable position in which
they were placed Some parts Of the oath are
so odious, 20 repugnant to the spirit OF the
nineteenth century, that even the Conservatives
shrank from advocating their retention. Sir
Hugh Carnes, therefore, in tho interest of his
party, moved the restoration in the oath of only
those words binding the party making the oath
to defend the settlement Of property, not to
subvert the church established by law, and not
to exercise his privilege as member TO weaken
the Protestant religion and Protestant Govern
ment in the United Kingdom. After remark
ably liberal speech in favor of the bill as 1t stood
from Mr.. Hunt, q Conservative member who
was for abolishing oaths altogether and es-
tablishng one uniform declaration, Mr.. Disraeli
made his long-expected speech, in which he
entered into the general question of Church aud
SlAle. IL WIS lHttuuCu W pO 'VhSih"e"iy III ~"
tone aiming evidently at producing an effect at
the next election. The chief argument of Mr..
Disraeli was that the Roman Catholics ought
to DO satisfied with the oath; that being
required To take it was a sentimental and not
practical grievance; and he supported Sir
Hugh Cairness motion because 1t retained the
substance of the oath, emitting the needessly
offensive words; and he stated that no had in
tended on the second reading to move that the
bill be referred to select committee, in order
that one uniform oath might be framed. Mr.
Disraeli failed, however, TO make any converts
to his views. The motion of Sir Hugh Cairnes
was negatived by l6G to l47 votes, and thus the
success of the bill in the lower House secured.
Civil and religious liberty are SO closely con.
nected, that we may hope that the success of
the one will pave the way for the success of the
other.