The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-04-17
CHI A R L S T O N.
FRIDAY MORNING, APRIL Il, 1868.
HIr. Glatlstone's Motion.

The recent resolutions of Mr. GLADSTONE
in Parliament are, whether we estimate
them by the advocacy Of the author or by
the vote of the House of Commons, great
triumph of the voluntary principle. What
is known as the Irish Church is to be dis
established, because it does not represent
the sentiments of the majority Of the Irish
people. The House of Peers may throw
out the resolutions, but they cannot arrest
the movement An ecclesiastical minority
cannot permanently rule in Ireland.
But this principle is not Gnality, but
manifestly the germ Of new agitation. Mr.
GLADSTONE, with all his genius and various
learning, has yielded to the influence Of
Mr.. BRIGHT, strong-minded and thorough
paced demagogue, vino uses the corn law
question, the Irish question, the tariff oues-
tion, the church question, for the propaga-
ton of radical and revolutionary ideas
whose end lies far beyond the adjustment
of temporarr controversies. The ultimate
end of Mr.. BRIGHT is the transformation of
the British Empire into republic like that
on .ais side OF the Atlantic-perhaps even
On international union of the English-speak-
ing race.
What is the meaning Of the present
movement? The House Of Commons pro-
tests against the claim Of the English
Church to the allegiance Of the people of
ireland; admits tha, the national establish
ment has no divine right to tax the people
of Ireland; affrms that the British Queen is
not the rightful head ofthe Church OF Ire
land; proclaims that the ecclesiastical inter-
ferences in Ireland by The power ruling that
country, and its intrusiors Of alien priests
and bishops into the Irish d:oceses, were
usurpations, and are now nuisaaces that
must be abatcd; AMI gives TO Ireland the
pledge that hcnceeorth in that country con-
science shall be free.
The principle upon which this action
rests, reaches, however, far beyond the
case to which it is mere applied. Mr Dis
nAE11 sees this clearly. AMI so 20 the great
mass Of those who claim pGr ercei:tnce IN
England the title Of Protesiants: the body
of English churchmen as distinguished from
the Catholics on the one hand. and the Dis
senters on the other. They justly feel thai
in this measure of Messrs. BRIGHT and
GLADSTONE, the existence of the establish
ment itself is imperilled 4 Catholic must
not be taxed to support The Episcopal inter-
est in ireland; why then should Dissenter
be taxed to support it in England Al
though the injustice is more enormous in
the former country. it IS not less rea. in the
latter. Thus it is the principle Of enuow-
ment itself which IS on trial. il is the union
of Church and State which is assailed: ii is
the voluntary system which claims the suf-
frages Of Westminster Hall.
In this country we have long held the
ground that government has no rign; TO de-
mand from its subjects a support Of what
they conscentiously believe 10 be error.
Nothing Sc ems clearer ihan tLis,-iAat re-
ligious tests and religious establishments
are Incompatible with religious liberty
But what was effected in this country by
the sudden and violent changes Of tee Rev
olution, las been slowly, and with many
alterations Of triumph and defeat, going
on IN England ever since the reign OF
HENRY VIII One mus: group the genera
tions, before he can observe the sensible
advance from intolerance TO toleraicn. and
from toleration towards liberty. The most
important step has now been taken. The
Irish Church is doomed-no;, indeed, rs an
institution, bu; as an establishment; anu III
like manner, the English Church must re-
linquish its political poser. And, for our
part, we doubt not thai nc loss will, to either
institution. be morc tiiaa compensated hy
;hc increase of moral agl spiritual rover.
In the muau':nic, ihe = aJic u.syelaeu, is
curiousy COM rlicated. l.llsic clergy,
in defendin; tAe Ensish G ye.lnent
against Fenicnsln, have esi45.. -,''ia >iroug
claim in behalf ct . fire. ir.....r.- seq wllch
Fenianism conien,ed n tt j. ancr,
the pen proved mig!iticr Lar word
Mr. BRIGHT has gained aru;",r y.a.a,;e
ground aud looks beyond. AIr ut.EArLi ;he
member of 81 race long perseau' d hy the
European establishments, defends ""ci'si-
asticAl prccedcnt-anl this jas i'"r eZ-
tending the suffrage to class cor a;nng
large proportion Of Dssenlera and S"cu-
| larists. Mr.. GLADSTONE, whose tots 'ITo-
cacy of the Church rs an inir.i'i !ari of
the State, provoked the fierce e'd m"ici-
less onslaught OF MAcArLAY. l. " inY"ig!:s
against the principle OF thai "''ia;. rhc
whole field OF conflict is lbir o.,a iusi
and smoke; everything is eoni"- is It
melee, and not battle, tllas w" CT ..r"n.
But what the result will he, |. cie.'"e'' ugh.
The Irish Church is v!riu.iiy i.'",''h
!ished; we have no doubt tie c'er;:} will
| L. ....s.