The New York herald., 1868-03-18
The Debate.

LONDON, March II, 1858.
In the House OF Commons last night the debate on
Irish reform was resumed In Committee Of the
Whoh.
Mr.. Gregory, member for Galway, rose In support
OF Mr.. Maguire's resolutions and denounced the long
continued English misgovernment OF Ireland. or
this there seemed to be no end, for now, when the
Irish people asked for reform In the land, In the
Church and in the educational systems the Ministers
evaded their demands, and offered them other
changes which they did not want. He denied that
there were any persons among the Roman Catholic
clergy who favored the present system Of national
schools.
Mr. Gladstone then took the floor, and for the first
time In this debate gave his views the questions
at ISSUE He said Irish tenants were wanting In
enterprise, and should be encouraged by every pos
sible means In making improvements on their farms.
As to the Church establishment 1t was the duty Of
the Ministers OF the Crown to mark out and submit
definite plan for the treatment Of that subject;
and meanwhile the Parliament should lose no time
in declaring itself in favor Of religious equality in
Ireland. He entertained hopes that the Ministry
fully realized the gravity Of the crisis. It was
vain to rely upon time as q cure for the
evil; seven hundred years had thus been
wasted. The Irish inhabitants Of Canada and
Australia were contented; and the great reason for
eAoA SohsCus 90 eAot sucy POcccooCu ~ huAcS Va
their own labor and enjoyed civil and religious
equality. But In Ireland the discomfort was wide
and Deep The alleged material prosperity Of Ireland
was proof Of this for Notwithstanding the I'm
proving condition Of the country, as described by
some OF the gentlemen who had preceded him, no one
seemed surprised that the people OF Ireland should
complain at the same time Of their misery. The
crisis was grave one, not only on account OF the
rapid depopulation OF the island by emigration, but
on account OF the condition Of those who remained
in the country. 1t was the imperative duty Of the
government to give this question their early and
earnest attention.
Mr.. Gladstone then proceeded to review, one by
one, the measures Of relief which the Ministry had
proposed for Ireland. The only one which he ap-
proved Of was that for political reform. He said In
1845 the adoption Of bill for the relief Of Irish ten
ants was urgently pressed by Str Robert Peel, but
without success, and all efforts made since that
time to carry similar measures had failed. He depre
Gated inquiry into the Irish Church establishments;
1t was well known that that system was generally
disliked He rdculed the excuses for delay In this
matter given by the government and closed his
speech with an eloquent appeal to the House to take
immediate action.
Mr.. Disraen followed Mr.. Gladstone. He com.
menced by saying he had reason to depore his fate
In attaining to Ofce when crisis Of seven hundred
years. standing had to be settled-a supernatural
emergency Even the Ministry which preceded
that Of Lord Derby had neglected these wrongs Of
ages He then went on to combat the arguments Of
Mr.. Gladstone against five out Of the six measures
embraced In the government plan for the relief Of
Irish grievances. He denied that the action Of the
Fenian organization controlled events or affected
the plans Of the Ministry; Fenian outrages should
prompt no measure and hasten no policy. The men,
bers Of the House, he hoped, were not alarmed
by the speeches Of men who, when In power,
did nothing but make speeches. some for Ireland and
some for the Irish Church. He admitted that the
state Of the Irish Church establishment unsats-
factory. But why should they unsettle q system
which had been in operation for three hundred years
under the influence Of panicY He declared that II
pressed to an issue on this question the government
would feel justified In making an appeal to the coun
try. There had already been GOO many measures Of
violence, too much connscaton Of property in Ire
land No measure could be called conciiatory which
outraged the rights OF milliop and . half OF men,
Mr.. Dtsrae,i concluded by assuring the House that
the Ministry were disposed TO consider all the ques
tons which had arisen IL regard to Ireland, and all
they asked for was time.
Mr.. Maguire's resolution was then withdrawn
and the debate ended