The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-04-01
CHI A. r L. E S TON.
THURSDAY MORNING, APRIL /, 1859,
Tho Irish Church Esta bll,hment.

| Ihe vote Dy which the bill to diSestablish
the Irish Church passed its second reading
in the British House Of Commons, makes it
certain that the third reading will be atten-
ded with no difficulty, and that the bill will
pass substantially as it was introduced.
Mr.. Disraeli is not likely to be more per-
sistent in his hopeless opposition than is
necessary for maintaining the organization
of his party. The power of the Ministers
is too great to be overcome. In the Libe-
ral phelanx there is 40 sigu Of disintegra-
ton, and none know better than. the "won-
"drous boy" how to kick against political
pricks with judioious want Of force. The
Ministers have won their first yictory-a-
victory due no less to the genius of Mr..
Gladstone than to the intrinslc merit Of the
scheme which he proposed.
Every political coterie and every relig-
lous denomination had It's own infallible
plan Of disestablishing or disendowing the
Irish Church, without interfering improp
erly with the rights of interested persons
No two sets Of men agreed in their opin-
ion; while the Tory press defed the Min
listers to bring forward any measure that
could stand the test Of hostile criticism
or even satisfy the demands Of their own
supporters. But the opponents Of the ad-
ministration counted without their host.
They forgot, as perhaps they had some rea-
son to do, the calibre of the men with
whom they had to deal. Their wishes led
them sadly astray. Judging Mr.. Gladstone
by his singular conduct at the hustings du-
ring the late canvass, they were tempted to
believe that the old spell had lost its power,
and that no practical or practicable solu-
ton of the Irish question would be submit
ted to them. Mr.. Gladstone, however, has
at once disappointed his foes and satisfied
the most sanguine expectations OF his
friends. In q speech which threw into the
shade his famous budget spaeech, as Chan
cellor Of the Exohequer in the Palmerston
Cabinet, he explained the provisions Of the
Irish Church bill, analysing, describing and
elucidating the whole subject, with an elo-
quence worthy Of his fame. Nor did Mr..
Gladstone rely on the magnetic inflaenoe Of
his manner, or upon the charm Of his words,
for the success Of the measure which he
introduced. 1t could afford to stand alone.
There was no need Of rhetoric to make it
attractive, as glance at its provisions will
show.
Mr. Gladstone proposes to disconnect the
Church Of Ireland from the crown, at once
and entirely, on the 1st January, 1871. All
ecclesiastical courts, laws and corporations
are to be dissolved on that day, and the
Irish Bishops are to leave the House Of
Lords and 60 to their focks. The Church
Of Ireland will thenoeforth be, what every
church should be-, voluntary organiza zaticn,
retaining its churchss, parsonage houses
and burial grounds, on engaging to devote
them to their appropriate uses. A commits
sion, appointed by Parliament. is 20 take
all the other property Of the church,
amounting to 10000, 900, and to appropri-
ate this to the payment Of the value of
"vested interests" that is to say, to pay off
the clergy and all their subordinates who
have claim to salaries from the church for
life, to compensate every person injured by
the law, including even the temporary GU
rates thrown out of employment, and to en-
dow those institutions which have hitherto
received annual assistance from the church.
All these ssoompensations" will consume
about G8, ,0OO, goo. leaving about $40, 0O0, 900
to be disposed Of for the benefit Of Ireland at
the will Of Parliament. Out Of this sum it
is proposed TO institute asylums for luna
tics, idiots and the deaf and dumb and
blind, county in6rmaries for the sick. re-
formatories for young criminals, and q
fund to supply poor individuals with nurses.
This is the whole plan; plan worthy Of
Bright and Love and Gladstone; q plan
which has kindled the enthusiasm Of the
Eogiish masses and has filed with confu-
sion the adversaries Of the government.
The government is now stronger than ever
before, and need not fear the defeat which
awaits the bill when it reaches the House
OF Lords. There is now q popular feeling
in favor Of justice to ireland that will not
be trifed with. This the hereditary cham.
Der cannot overcome, nor oan it check for
ioDg measure upon which the public mind
Ia bent. R IA
When the Irish Church bill becomes q
law, IL will be en- earnest Of good will to
wards Ireland. But there is moro than this
to be done. There are more reforms TO
@sss saa .sSTs abuses :S Tsasa;; sa esSr aa.s:::
ireland is treated in every particular as
England and Scotland are, shere will be NO
cessation OF agitation, and, IL the sigas Of
inc Times count for anything, the Irish,
wnen ihsy have Obtained all that Ensland
can give them as part Of the Brisish I'm
pire, will move forward another steD ma
demand their independence. All that Rpr.
land gains BY dissstablishing the Irish
Church is Ssw years Of rest And them.
the Irish Republiel