The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-06-18
THE rri.h Church Rill.

Perhaps there has been no period In tne DIS
tory of England during the last half century,
when the House of Lords stood more in fear
of the people than they now do on the Irish
Church Bill The time has at last come when
public opinion in England is a power. And
what we mean by public opinion is the feeling
o. the masses. HeretoforeI the aristocracy of
England has been the governing class, and the
Spirit of Liberty has been suppressed. But
Daniel Webster uttered great truth when he
compared the Spirit Of Liberty to "earth's CEN
trail fires" Although mountains may press
them down, yet they will at some time or
another, OF in some place or another, burst out
and fame up TO heaven. We give the idea,
but do not quote the exact words. That time
is now and that place is the east Anchored
ISLE" The voice Of the people now strikes
terror into the hearts of Lords and Aristocrats,
and those who have so long governed proud
England begin to tremble when they hear its
thunders. i.
We can well imagine how hard it is for a
class that has always governed to yield to any
power that emanates from the masses. But
the House of Lords in which is embodied the
wisdom of the country according to Black
stone will finally succumb to the storm Of
Liberalism which is sweeping over the land
Even the London Times has snuffed the danger
from afar and has prepared for its coming
This journal has acquired quite q habit, re-
Gently, of trimming its sails according to the
popular breeze. True, itfioes not always keep
good lookout from masthead AMI often makes
great blunders. 1t made many egregious mis-
takes during our last war, but during that time
it learned many valuable lessons which it has
not forgotten. There is a decided improve
ment in its navigation. 1t trims its sails better
now and watches the faintest breeze that comes
up from the people. Speaking of the Irish
Church bill in the House of Lords it saws:
The week opens with all the elements of a
dramatic situation. The action is great, the
motive is great and the end is certain. We
are convinced that the bill viii pass toits Sec
ond reading Every day it becomes clearer
that England, after an agitation of eighty
years, will undo an injustice SO long perpe-
trated. No Orange demonstration can affect
the success of the measure. This scandal Of
the Irish Church establishment is at the root
of the alienation of Ireland its destruction is
an act of peace and unity between Jealous and
disunitod races. 5i
1t reviews the opinions of the men off the op-
position and concludes very wisely we
think-that justice is often delayed by argu-
ments, but not when then the nation is awake
to sense of its denial. 1t is quite certain
that justice will not be delayed, it, and advises
the Lords to trim their sails to catch the popu-
lar breeze. 1t even goes so far as to say that
by yielding now the House of Lords will be
established frmer than ever. That is I'M
doubtedly true, for the current of liberal opin-
ion runs so deep that there is great danger in
attempts to stem it, Wise as this body of men
have always been considered and influential as
they have been in years past, they now begin
tofeel that they are not SO elevated that pub
lie opinion cannot reach them. They begin to
feel the old foundations tremble under their
feet and their need of being strengthened
The Times understands this thing better than
some of the members OF this aristocratic
branch of the English government do who op-
pose the Irish Church bill as revolutionary
and in violation of the coronation oath and of
the act of Union. Their opponents believe
or pretend TO believe-that the organization Of
the measure would be running counter to the
national will. They say the sense of the
country has not been tested on the question,
that the bill overthrows the rights of property,
violates the religion of the people of the Unit
A-h 1n&.l--& Il L.,
Church and State. But the storm row rag
ing about the heads Of these Lords will yet
bring them to their senses and teach them
wisdom.
Other Lords entertain different opinions
and clearly see the dangers that threaten
this embodiment of the wisdom of England.
Lord Clartndon, a shrewd talented, statesman,
believes the sentiment of the country on
the question had been fully expressed. As a
Protestant he sympathized with his Catholic
fellow countrymen of Ireland ON the wrong
full position in which they were placed. He
feelingly said: @He never felt it stronger than
when he saw crowds knceling outside of
howell, with parish church close by unattend-
ed.' Such scene is indeed a sad one, and
these peasants know how to give the picture
tho most somber hue. These Lords and Dukes
who oppose this measure must succumb now,
and yield to the will of the nation as the time
may come sooner than they expect it, when the
foundations of the House of Lords will be
torn away and this branch OF English govern
ment be numbered among the things of the
past. 5 r =.