The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-03-03
ENGLAND.


DisestabIishment Of the Irish Church.
LoKDor, March 2-In the House OF Com
none, last evening, Mr.. Gladstone moved Tor
leave TO introduce a, bill TO dsestableh the
Irish Church, make provision tor its tempo
ralIties, and TO dieendow the Royal College OF
st. Patrick, at Msynooth. Mr.. Gladstone fol-
lowed mp his motion with q speech in de.ense
and explanation of the provisions OF the bin.
After commenting on the gravity and imp port
ance of the task, he said he was aware of the
Necessity OF giving historical and political rea.
sons for propo. ing such constitutional change
reasons winch would show the anomaly OF the
present position and the consciousness IN Par
lament Of the difficulties OF such a posit,n.
The House had at times been induced to waste
the property of the Irish Church, so that its
magnitude might Lot shock the puDlc mind.
1t had been necessary at times to support the
asccDdancy OF this Church by the enactment of
penal laws. II this cendancy was main iaiued,
bitter feelings on the part OF the Irish people
AdvertiDg to his previous action, Mr.. Glad
stone declared that II had resulted in making
the House and country unanimous Tor dIsesta-
bills isbment. He would not dwell upon the
areument'which had been put for ward against
1t, but he denied that his course was adverse TO
the welfare OF religion and the interests OF
Piotestantism. He cenied that IT contemplated
any invasion OF the rights OF properly, aud
argued that Parliament, which had the right 10
create corporations, had equal right to
exiting uish them. He referred to the objections
to disestabl!shment, which were based upon
the act OF union, and answered 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 and Ireland.
The only means of establishing that union
were religious liberty and civil equality. The
bill would be conclusive, shutting out all con
uoyerey, but carrying with 1t no penalty or
pain. He proceeded to explain the bill which
is inter ded to 60 into effect aud after January
l. 1871, or as soon as 1t has received the royal
assent, Commissioners will be appointed for
DpriO0 pUard
Church and prevent the creation of new out
breaks. All ecclesiastical appointments for
Ireland are hereafter to be made without free
hold, and no money is to be employed for
permanent purposes. These provisions are to
take the place OF the suspensory measures
passed last year. II is assumed that the clergy
organizations for those which they were about
to give up. In such case, the Queen in council
would recognize the newly constituted religious
bodies, but could not create them.
The result would be the abolition of ecclesi-
astical courts and jurisdiction, and of the right
OF bishops to the peerage. All ecclesiastical
corporations would be dissolved, and then the
d establishment OF the Irish Church would be
complete. Provision is made for the clergy,
who are to receive life annuities. All private
endowments are to remain intact. The Church
Is to be handed over to the Council for all reli-
gious purposes. Grants are proposed for the
support of st. Pattick's and eleven other cathe-
dIals, these structures beng regarded as ma
tiopa property: Church buildings no longer
Works, for the benefit OF fund, and burial
grounds are to be placed under the charge of
the guardians of the poor. The Presbyterian
clergy are to receive annuities in lieu of the
at Maynooth, and the Presbyterian col:
leges, are. to be. granted capitalized
sums of money, Further legislation is
to be had in regard to Trinity College.
tithe rent charge will be offered to land
owners at twenty-five years and six months
purchase. Church leases are to be sold. tenants
taking the first option. The capitalized value
of church property is estimated at f16, 500. 600,
of which f8, 100000 is to be appropriated to
compensation, and the remainder, in the words
OF the preamble of the bill, is to be employed
for the advantage of the Irish people, not for
the purposes Of any Church or class nor for
teaching of religion, but for relief in cases OF
unavoidable calamity or su tterpg; while at the
same time, 1t is not to cancel the obligations
laid upon property for the relief of the poor.
Grants are to be made to provide for the care of
iunatics, for training nurses, and for the sup
port of county inhrmaries.
Mr.. Gladstone proceeded at considerable
length to urge upon the House the great results
which were 10 be expected from the passage OF
this measure on the tranquility of Ireland and
the union, security, and power of the empire,
Mr., Dieraeli followed Mr.. Gladstone, and
spoke briefly, saying he regarded the policy
| of the administration in regard to the Irish
| Church as politically wrong, and their bills as
an act of confscation, but the Government had
| right to bring the matter before the House for
| full and thorough discussion, and he could
| not oppose the introduction of tue bill.
The motion male by Mr.. Gladstone was then
| agreed to, and the bill was introduced and read
| for the first time. The 18th day of March was
| appointed for the second reading, and the
| House then adjourned.
| The Times says the scheme for the disesta-
| blishment of the Irish Church fairly accom-.
| plishes the task, and the Government deserves
| the support OF Parliament.