The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-03-06
THE IRISH CHURCH.
The Irish Church in tho House Of COM
mons-Committee to Guard tho Church
PJoperty-Dtsendowm of Maynooth
Coucge-Tho Measure Likely to Pass
Speeches by Gladstone md Disrarli.

In the House Of Commons, on Monday eve
ming, the Premier, MIR. Gladstone, moved for
leave to introduce bill to disestabllsh the
Irish Church, to make provision for its tempo
rahties, and to dsendow the Royal College of
ST. Patrick ut Maynooth. Mr.. Gladstone fol-
lowed up his motion with speech in dofcnce
and explanation of the provisions OF the bill.
After commenting Oh the gravity and i'm
portancc of the task, le said he was aware of
tho necessity OF giving historical and political
reasons for proposing such constitutional
change-reasons which would show tho
anomaly Of the present position, and con-
seriousness in Parliament of the difficulties Of
such o position. The House ut times had
been induced to waste the property OF the
shock the public miud. l. had been necessary
at times to support tho ascendency OF this
church by tho enactment of penal laws. Ii
this ascendency was maintained. bitter feelings
on the part Of the Irish people would never
cease Adrcrting TO previous action on this
measure, Mr.. Gladstone declared that ii had re-
suited in making the House and tho country
unanimous tor disestabishment. He would not
dwell upon the arguments which had been put
forward against 1t; but he denied thai his
cou1se was ayerse to the welfare of religion
and the interests Of Professionalism; he MED
that it contemplated invasion OF the rights OF
property, arguing that Parliament, which had
the right TO create corporations. ad on equal
right to e1tinguish them. He referred to
the objections to dlsestablishment which
were based upon the act OF Union, and an
swered them by maintaining that the Irish
Church, as at present constituted, defeated
the intent of that act, and prevented any
real union between the people Of England
aud Ireland; the ouly means Of establishing that
union were religious liberty and civil equality.
The bill would be conclusive, shutting out oil
controversy, but carrying With it no penalty
or pain. he proceeded to explain that
the bill is intended to go into effect on and
after the first day Of January, A. D. 1871. AS
soon as it has received tic royal assent, COM
mission will be appointed for a period OF ten
years to guard the property OF the church,
ests. All ecclesiastical appointments tor Ire
land hereafter are to be made without freehold.
No money is to be employed for permanent
PURPOSES. These provisions arc to take the
place Of the suspensory measures passed last
wear. It is assumed that the clergy and peo-
ple may desire to have other religious orSani-
cations tor those which they were about TO
give up. In that case the Queen, IN council,
would recognize the newly-constitutcd rei-
eious bodies, but would not create them. The
result would bo the abolition of ecclesiastical
courts and jurisdiction and of the rights OF
bishops to the peerase; all ecclesiastical
corporations would be dissolved, AMI then the
disestablishment Of the Irish Church would be
complete. Provision is made for tho clergy,
who are to receive life annuities. All private
endowments are to remain intact. The church
ia to be handed over to q council for religious
purposes. Grants are proposed for the sup
port of st. Patricks and eleven other cathc-
drals these structures being regarded as ma
tional property. Church buildings, no longer
required, arc to be handed over to the Board OF
Works FOR the benefit Of fund and burial
grounds are to be placed under charge OF the
guardians of the poor. The Presbyterian cler-
gy are to receive annuitics in lieu Of tho Re
alum Donun. /; and tho Roman Catholic Col
Iege at Naynooth and the Presbyterian collie
ces arc to bo granted capitalized sums OF
money, Further legislation ia to be had in
regard to Trinity College. A tithe rent charge
will bo offered to landowners at twenty two and
half years purchase. Church leases are to
be sold, tenants having the first option. The
caoitalized value of the church property is cs-
tmated at SIG, 500 000 of which f58 900 900 is to
be appropriated to compensation, and tho re-
mainder, i'm tho words OF tho preamble to the
bill, ''is 10 bo employed for tho advantage OF
the Irish people; not for tho purpose Of any
church or class, nor for the teaching CT rcll-
gioo, but for relief in cases OF unavoidable ca
iamity OF suffering, while at the same time it is
ty fnr the relief of the poor" Grants arc also
to be made to provide for the care OF lunatics,
for the training OF nurses, and for the support
of county iufrmarics. Mr.. Gladstone pro-
ceeded at considerable longth to urge upon
tho House the great results which were to be
expected FROM .hc passage Of this measure in
the tranquility Of Irclaud, and tho greater
union, security and power of the empire.
Mr.. Disraeli followed Mr.. Gladstone, and
spoke briefly. He said he regard d the policy
OF the administration in regard to tue Irish
Church as politically wrong, aud their bills as
an act of coniscation. But tho government
had right to bring the matter before tho
House for full and thorough discussion, and
he would not oppose the introduction Of the
bill.
The motion made by Mr.. Gladstone was
then agreed to. The blu was introduced and
read for the first time. The 18th of March was
appointed for the second reading. Tho House
then adjourned.
The London Times says the scheme for the
disestablishment Of the Irish Church, propos-
cd by Mr.. Gladstone, fairly accomp!ishcs the
task, and the government deserves the support
of Parliament. =
No,, Vorl, hoo n nayy wrinkle in nnDer-t Ten