New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-06-08

| the Two great meetings alluded to-that at st
Jamess Hall and that at the London Taber-
nacle The former was an eminently aristo-
cratic assembiage Rank and station and
privilege were fully represented on the occa-
sion. The coronet and the mitre took the ros-
trum together condescending to act the tribune;
and aged prelates, throwing off their haDitual
blandness, astonished the audience WIN rough
and vigorous denunciations OF the men VINO
had dared to propose severance OF the con
nection between Church and State In Ireland
The meeting at the Tabernacle, on the con-
trary. was thoroughly democratic affair NOT
n single lord was present; not single scion OF
representative of nobility showed his lace on
Tho nlatform. II was exclusively a peoples
Gathering. John Bright, the great champion OF
nopular rights, was the orator of the occasion,
and the laundering cheers which greeted his
uttorances. as he pleaded alike for justice to
Ireland and religious liberty for his country
men, gave convincing proof how enthusiast
cally the people entered into the grand purpose
of the demonstration.
The different movements that have taken
place on both sides are, however but prelimin-
airy to the great battle. Dsraeli, it is true,
has yielded on the Irish Church question but
it must not be supposed that the defenders of
the Anglican Establishment are going, from
that circumstance to abandon the conflict in
despair. On the contrary, his surrender will
only have the effect of stimulating their ardor,
and making them dispute more stubbOmly
every inch OF ground. But the inspiration of
freedom, and the strength of just cause, will
make the Liberal party irresistible. Already
they are in possession of one Of the most i'm
portant outer defenses OF the great citadel.
They are now directing their attacks against
those bulwarks of intolerance which have
hitherto excluded Disorders from the honOrs
and emoluments of the National Universities, and
these are certain at no distant period to be over
thrown through the abolition of religious tests.
That success achieved, the way will then be
open for the final grand assault through which
religion in England will be delivered from the
thralldom of State control. Short of this con-
summation the party of progress cannot possibly
stop The inexorable logic of events which
has provoked the fight will urge the party on
ward. Religious equality before the law is the
complement of political freedom. The latter
cannot be conceded, and the former, at the
same time, denied. The political awakening
which led, as one of its fruits, to the passing
of the first Reform Bill, an installment OF po-
litical freedom, was followed by Catholic Eman-
cpaton-a partial removal of religious disabil-
tiles. The agitation which has produced the
second Reform Bill, larger nstallment of that
freedom, is destined TO be succeeded by the
establishment of religious equalty-by the com
plete triumph of the principle which forbids
legislation aud government making religious
creed the groundwork of arbitrary social dis
tinctions, and of political prefement working
Injustice to merit because it refuses to sacrifice
conscience