The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1868-04-01


FROM EUROPE Hf CAbLk.
PARIS, March al.-The Marquis De Basssno'
OF the French legation at Washington, viii te
succeeded BY Count Trivenue'
LONDON, March 3l.-The debate In the House oil
Commons, last night, on the Irish Church bill,
was the most important one Of the present SEES
sion. Mr.. Gladstone, portion OF whose re.
marks were telegraphed last night. made mas
teriy speech In support Of his resolutions for the
abolition OF the Irish Church establishment,
placing himself on line with tie most advanced
members Of the Liberal party on this question.
After giving reasons for his past inaotion, he
| showed the necessity for the Immediate consid-
| Grafton OF the subject, and explained the ten
dency and effect Of the resolutions which he had
introduced to meet the emergency.
He dilated on the great effect FOR good which
the termination OF the ascendancy OF the Irish
Church as state Establishment would have In
removing jealousies and In mitigating seetarian
bitterness. In treating this question he said
that members Of Parliament should exclude all
party feeling and act solely for the public good.
No one could deny that each Of the Church or
CARNATIONS In Ireland, irrespective Oh creed,
aimed to do good, but the chureh as an estae
lishment OF the state had miseraoiy iaiied 10 10
| the country any good.
Now, that the penal laws against Catholics no
! longer were In force, the number oil ProtesAnh
In Ireland did not exceed one-hfth OF the popuia-
tion, and II was great injustice TO compel
whole country to support church Tor the bene-
At Of so small minority. The members OF the
House OF Commons were urged to disregard
their fear and prejudiccs, and when the irish
people asked for religious equality grant the
demand, placing their reliance on the justice Of
| the act.
| He praised the Roman Catholic clergy for their
hrmness and loyalty In opposing fenianism.
In regard to the measures Tor the dsestaohsh-
ment OF the Irish Church, Mr.. Gladstone said ne
did not intend to press the question TO q mai
decision before the new Pariiament met ou' ne
should urge shat the Government cease TO make
any appointments to NIL vacancies In the higher
gtades OF the Irish Church, In order TO leave the
case clear for future action.
After sharply critieizing proposed resolution
| Of Lord Stanley to postpone the consideration
| OF the whole subject until the meeting OF the
next Parliament. Mr.. Gladstone closed with an
eloquent appeal to the House to yindicate Its
character and dignity by its course on this i'm
portsnt question now to be decided, Mr.. Glad
| stone was loudly cheered a. he took his seat.
| In his reply, Lord Stanley admitted that the
| Government fully recognized the gravity OF the
| matter under consideration, but he regretted the
| attempts which had been made to place the ques-
ton on a false basis. The Ministry did not seek
| to shirk the issue by trickery or management, as
had been charged. They only wanted time to
consider the subject before acting. The resolu-
lions before the House were vague and general,
and the plan, as outlined by Mr.. Gladstone, was
at once practicable. The disestablishment Of the
Irish Church was one thing, and dsendo wment
.nn,her
No com,l.Ined IN At the honorable member had
,eft them ali in the dairy. The House should
wait until Commi,sion on the Irish Church had
m,d. a ,enort Here was I. question which had
| 49,