The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-08-26
Oharoh Ratss ana Isasllsh RlshoP'.

under the Household Suffrage DILL Whloh has
inst passed the British Legislature will be
called upon to deal, that of the connection at
present existing between Church and State in
the old country occupies foremost place. If
we read Alright the signs of the times, it is clear
that that connection is destined to be dissolved
at no distant day. By large majority the
bill for abolishing church rates has again,
during the session that has Just closed passed
in the House of Commons Again it has been
thrown out by the House of Lords; but it is
significant that every succeeding year it is
sent up from the Commons to the Peers with
the endorsation of an increased majority of
the peoples representatives. 1t is not the
amount of money actually involved in the mat
ter which causes opposition to the measure.
That is comparatively insignificant, being no
more than million and quarter of dollars,
of which sum a little more than One-half is
expended in the ceremonial of the Church, and
the residue upon ordinary and extraordinary
repairs of the edifices. Considering that the
State Church in England includes among its
members and adherents the most wealthy and
influential classes, nothing would be easier
than to replace this amount by volun-
tary contributions. But the advocates of the
State Church feel that to abolish church rates
would be the insertion of the thin wedge; and
they are right. 1t is not that the Church can
not do without the money yielded by these
rates. but it is that it cannot if it is to continue
a State establishment, afford to admit the
principle upon which the abolition of the
impost is urged. Let the church rates go,
and the abolition of tithes must inevitably fol-
low; in which event the whole fabric of the
establishment falls to pieces. The English
Dissenters make no secret of their ultimate
object in demanding the abolition of the rates.
They only begin with this; they have no idea
of stopping when they have conquered here.
They want perfect religious equality, and they
are now in the sure way of getting it. Poll
tical equality and religious disability cannot
long coexist. The Reform bill, in conceding
the former, will prepare the way for the re-
moval of the latter. Among the stoutest oppo-
nents of the abolition of church rates are
to be found, of course, the Bishops of the Eng
lsh Church. But whether they will be per-
mitted to retain their political functions much
longer is very questionable. In an article on
Goldwin Smiths lecture on Oliver Cromwell
and his Contemporaries, just published, the
London Daily NeaOS has some very significant
remarks relative to this matter. Speaking
of the career of the renowned patriot Pym, it
says:-"In his time great reforms were made in
the Constitution. Then, as now the House of
Lords was more studious about saving their
privileges than satisfying the country. Among
the bills sent up to them was one depriving
the Bishops of votes in the Upper House.
This reform was as imperative then as the
reform of Parliament is now. The Lords
threw out the bill. The country was in an
uproar. Petitions were signed by the people,
and Pym presented them to the Lords,
saying that the Commons would be sorry
that the story of that Parliament should
tell posterity that in so great danger
and extremity the House of Commons
should be enforced to save the kingdom
alone. On that occasion the Lords wisely
yielded, passing the bill with but three dis
sentient voices. similar conflict may be
imminent. Let us hope their lordships may
not provoke a collision whereof the issue will
certainly be unfavorable to them, but showing
themselves wise in time will render it un-
necessary for a modern Pym to compel their
acquiescence in the demands of the country"
Language like this-and it is not confined to
one section of the English press-foreshadow
another struggle following closely upon that
which has just resulted in Parliamentary re-
form. Political rights won, the next fight will
be for religious equality for, till the latter is
gained, as well as the former, the complement
! Offreedom is not reached. 1t is impossible at
! present to say which will be carried first-the
abolition of church rates, or the removal of
the Bishops from the House of Lords; but
either event will be but ''the beginning of the
end" for the State Church in England.
A New Cabinet for the President.
From the N. Y Herald