Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-03-22
ENGLAND AND IRELAND.

1t is said that at an early day the pres
ent government of England Will propose
various reformatory measures relating to
the administration OF affairs in Ireland.
The whole breadth aud scope Of the move
ment is not definitely known, but enough
has been ascertained TO show that public
opinion is having weight with those in au-
thority and compelling them TO move for
ward in the path of reform, even if the
steps are slow and the action tardy. The
Catholic emancipation bill was wrung from
an unwilling party. But they were afraid
longer to stem the current Unpopular senti-
ment upon the subject Statesmen and
warriors, who had declared unyielding
hostility TO that measure, went down before
the aroused enthusiasm of men who claimed
rights founded on those immutable princi-
piles of Justice, which are the props and
corner-stones Of all governments entitled
to the respect of enlightened, Christian
men. Since the passage of that charter Of
religious liberty, the Irish people have pc
titioned for Acknowledgement of political
nature, and the point of time seems TO have
been reached when those petitions are at
least to be considered, and the Subjects en-
braced in them examined and reported
upon.
I Leading the column of Irish measures is
an inquiry into the Church question ofthat
portion of the dominions of her Majesty.
The Irish statesmen declare that this ques-
ton, like the box of Pandora, is filled with
all kinds and descriptions of evils and cnr-
SEES for old Ireland and her people.
Church rates and Church exactions, it is
alleged, eat away the substance Of. the pro-
ducers and at the same time keep burning
those fires Of religious hatred and bigotry
which cast their lurid light over the peace,
prosperity and welfare of the island. II
the proposed examination into the work
ings and effects of this Church system
should terminate in a reform in unison
with thespirit ofthe age and the wishes ofthe
Irish people, the result will be beneficial to
both the rulers and those who are called
upon to live under and obey the laws. The
Irish tenant system is also upon the list of
those subjects which are to be thoroughly
scrutinized and ventilated. Ireland has
been depleted by the men who should have
poured strength into her veins. The
peasantry have been taxed to the last shil-
ling in order that the tradesmen of Eng
land, Frrnee, and the Continent might reap
The proceeds in the shape of increased ex-
penditures on the part of absent landlords.
This is one curse of the tenant system.
But there are others which bear hard upon
the husbandmen and laborers of the island.
These, we hope, will be exposed by the
commission, and a remedy applied which
will infuse fresh hope into the toiIers of
ireland, and renewed vigor and activity
into this important branch of her product-
i've industry. 1t is also proposed TO char
ter a Roman Catholic University for the
I" Emerald Isle of the ocean, +" and thus
put the education of youths of this relig-
ious belief under the care of teachers selec-
ted by themselves or their parents. The
fact that the party which SO long and Bit
terly opposed even the enfranchisement
of Catholics, should, at this time, take the
lead in such movement as this, is a
| striking proof of the influence which pub
lie opinion is exercising upon the governing
class in England. The elections have
| opened the eyes of men in high position.
| They see that, in a short time, the ballot
| will be in the hands of thousands now for
hidden to approach the polls, and hence
| the effort to conciliate this class by con-
cessions OF the character named. Sub
sides for The Irish railways are also talked
| of, and thus the people of that island are
put on the same footing with those of Eng
| land, 40 far as aid TO their enterprises is
concerned. If the proposed reforms are
carried out in good faith, they will do more
to quiet England than thousands Of bayo-
nets. England can afford to be just, and
her legislation with reference TO Ireland
should march side by side with the en-
lightenment of the age and the righteous
demands of the Irish people.