The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1867-03-15

how it could be reconciled with justice, that
100000 Irish Protestants should possess
the whole of the ecclesiastical revenues of
Ireland, while an equal number of Presby-
terians, and about 4, 500. 900 of. Roman
Catholics derived no benefit at all from
them. lHear, hear II was for this rea-
son that the disendowment Of the Estab-
lished Church was called for, and the APP
plicatiouOf It's revenue to some purpose Of
national utility: In debating the question
of the Irish Church, he paid no regard to
the numerous collateral issues which were
sometimes raised, such as Which is the
true Church?' ''What were the theology
cal views of St. Patrick?' Did he re-
nQunce the spiritual supremacy of the Pope
and conform to the Thirty nine Articles p
laughter; but he The O'Donoghue)
adhered to the simple argument that, no
matter how these various issues might be
decided, the fact still remained that the
Established Church was the Church of a
small minority OF the Irish people, and
. therefore had no title whatever to the
ecclesiastical revenue of the country.
Cheers. He hoped no one would believe
that antipathy of the people of ireland to
the Established Church in that country
proceeded from hostility to the tenets of
Professionalism. If it were not symbol of
ascendancy it would be no more interfered
with than Presbyterianism. Indeed, if the
Roman Catholics were offered the eccles-
lastical revenues of the country for the sup
port of their own religion, they would reject
the proposal. They believed in the ade-
quacy of the voluntary system, and they
were convinced that it was the only sure
| foundation on which religious equality and
the federation of the differences could rest
IN these realms. Last, though not least,
they saw that the voluntary system COM
manded the approval of that vast majority
OF Englishmen with whom on every posi-
bic occasion the Catholics of Ireland were
anxious 10 harmonize. He was certain that
the Established Church could not long re-
tain It's present position in defiance of the
progress of an enlightened public opinion.
As he had said before, good legislation
might remove many of the causes of Irish
dissatisfaction, but it could never be done
until there was a thoroughly reformed Par
Lament. Loud cheers, in the midst of
which the honorable gentleman resumed
his seat, having spoken for nearly an hour. J
After the conclusion of the speech by
The ODoNoGHUE, the following proceed
ings took place:
Mr.. Keevet, of Dublin, expressed his
conviction that Irishmen were basely, badly
and treacherously governed.
Mr.. Darling, of Dublin, followed, and
declared that the people of Ireland were
determined, under the presidency of the
Chieitain of the Glens, 10 unfurl the banner
Of reform and show their tyrants that they
were ready to unite with the people OF Eng
land and Scotland in obtaining their rights
and defending them at all hazards.
Mr.. Whitworth, Nj. p. moved, and Mr..
Rocbuck seconded, vote of thanks TO Mr..
Bright, which was passed with great
enthusiasm
MIR. Bright, in acknowledging the compl-
ment, said he was quite sure that every one
who had attended the meeting had been
amply compensated by the remarks which
had been made respecting Ireland for the
time and trouble he had expended
(Cheers'j He entertained the most conf
dent hopes that the result of the meeting
would be very beneficial both for England
and Ireland, and that it would last for
many day, probably after all present were
forgotten. He thanked the meeting for
their kindness, and must say that he had
never presided over nobler meeting called
for nobler purpose. Loud checrs.)
The proceedings then terminated.