The sun., 1873-03-11
Mr. Gladstone. New Irish Measure.

Mr. Gladstoue's New Irish Measure.
when Mr.. GLADsroNE introduced in Par
lament very recently, whpt is called his
third Irish measure, n scheme tor the
establishment of IN Irish University upon
plan intended 10 meet the appreciation
OF both Protc,taNts aud Catholics, he was
opening the way for a great deal cf
acrimonious discussion. At first his pro-
ject was rather favorably received; but
rs the details Of the measure are moro
closely considered, objections TO its pro-
visions are presented from many different
quarters, until it begins 10 look ~ il the
Liberal Minister would fnre MS hardly as
the unhappy old man in the fable. who in
couscientiously endcavoring TO please
everybody, succeeded IN pleasing nobody,
and drowned his poor donkey into the
bargain.
Mr. GLApsToNr's now measure ls, briefly
stated, proposition for merging the
Catholic and Protestant Colleges of ireland
in University To he literally endowed, 20
that like the colleges OF oxford or Cam
bridge they shall constitute one University,
and like them be subject to the control cf
one central governing body. But. unlike
the Universities Of oxford and Cambridge,
the new Irish University is profess 'dly 10
be non-sectnran in its character. This
feature Of the institution might readily
be accepted as a sensible compromise IL
the provisions of the bill were certain to
insure such a result, but here is whore TIE
trouble arises. The Catholics, many Of
them. see ia the biil only q trap for htirc.
ing Catholic institutions IN Ter Protestant
su1cry ision AMI control, whilo on tue other
hand some 0f the Protestant ORGANS have
, j"mon-tratcd to their own satisfaction
that if the measure rs c1rii"l the Catholics
VIII soon have entire sway in the Uni-
versitv.
Al the 1r,t glance il would appear that
cfectual precautions had ben taken to
prevent the intrusion Of scctar.un iu1u-
cucos in the management of the new Uni
versity, hut i'm fact some of these very pre-
cautions are the cause of protest against
the hill ~ a concession 20 the prciudicps
OF a particular church. For instance. IL IL
provided that thrre shall not be any chairs
in theology. in moral philosophy, or in
modern history, nor is any student TO be
examined against his VIII in the two latter
subjects which are to be- all. olutcly ex-
cludoi from all examinations for cmnu-
ments, and this provision leads TO the
charIe that the truth is to be suppressed
in the teachings Of the University because
there is disagreement between Protect
ants and Catholics as 10 the correct version
of important historical events. Even
clause giving the Council of the University
authority To punish any teacher or other
person in authority who, "in the discharge
! Ia
by word of mouth, writing, or otherwise,
be held by them to have wilfully given
offence 10 the religious convictions of any
member of the University" is n stumbling
block to some influential critics who see in
| it only proyocation for an onslaught on the
| one side by the Roman Catholics against
the possibility of any common instruction,
and for an onslaught on the other side by
extreme Protcstauts against an ombar-
RAISING policy of compromise with the
| Catholics.
But the most diaicult matter 10 arrange
satisfactorily to all parties will be- that If
! constituting the University Council, which
is 10 be in reality the governing body OF
! the in ttution. Each of the colleges will
| have the power 10 form scheme for its
own self-goyornmont, and each must settle
for itself as 20 the prcpOndcrnuvc OF lay or
! ecclesiastical influence In its own affairs;
but the University Council Is al liIst to be
! appointed by Parliament, an arrangement
which is 10 hold good until lSs5, after
which the Crown, the Profcs,o ors, and Tie
Council Of the University are to have n
voice in the appointments alternately.
| Dubious anticipations regarding the effect
Of this system Of appointments already
find expression in the public journals of
Great Britain, and with all these compH-
cations to contend against il is very doubt
full if Mr., GIADsToSE's great project for
the further paclhcation of ireland will
meet with anything better than violent
opposition and final defeat in Parliament.
But at the BEST isn't there something
comical in the idea of settling the Irish
question, centuries old as it is, by the
foundation of n University? Is dispute
about college education all that is left Of
the wrongs Of lrelaudl
| -----as---------
Appealing 10 Constituents.
| Mr. BROoKs proposes in his recent letter