The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1873-03-20
THE THl>H USlSERSlIY BILL
GIADSTONE-S DIFFICULTY.

The great question which has agitated the
public mind in Ireland for years has been
the subject of denominaiional education.
Several systems have been proposed in the
British Parliament, and failed. The Irish
people, feeling stronger as they progress 10
civilization, feeling that they are a compact
and intelligent element Of the British
Empire, demand of their lords and masters
something definite, something in accordance
with their immediate requirements. They
feel that in the past the English Parliament
has been playing triiling par; with them,
and they now demand some remedial
eiuca.ional prescriptions de-
mand Mr., Gladstone is ap-
parsnty disposed to comply with. He is, as
the world knows, an astuie statesman. He
knows the wrongs Of which the Irish people
complain, and knows the prejudices that
exist in England against everything Irish.
Knowing this, and in order to steer free
course between the extremes, he Introduced
into ParIiamcnt an educational bill, yclept
the IIish University bill, which wears white
face with 4 very black heart. In endeavor-
ing to press this bill through the Commons
Mr.. Gladstone has been defeated.
Many people in this country feel disposed
to criiici-e adversely the vote Of the Irish
members on the passage of this bill. A care
ful perusai of its provisions will, however,
show that instead OF being a conciliatory
or beneficial measure, it is in re-
ality a death thrust at very
sensitive point in the Irish heart-religion.
There is nothing of which the Irish people
are more jealous than this. 1t is to them
the sine qua .tos of existence. They cherish
il with love that knows no expression.
They love it with a love, even beyond the
MOTHER for her first babe. On this nccount
the Hierarchy of Ireland have opposed Mr..
Gladstone in his recent educational measure.
That the reader may form a correct idea OF
the course Of the Irish clergy with regard to
the bill whose defeat has been in a measure !
Mr.. Gladstone's, We summarize some of Its |
leading features.
1t proposes to form grand central Uni !
versity for Ireland al Dublin. Trinity Col
lege, the Queen's College and the Catholic 1
University are TO be attached to the new Uni
versiiy as appendages, such "a the colleges
and educational institutions of England are,
of Oxford and Cambridge.
The endowment is fixed at $50, 900 an
nually, the funds TO be drawn partly from
Trinity College and partly from the re-
sources Of the dises'ablished Irish Church.
\ prominent feature of the bill is that the
University shall not teach modern history or
modern philosophy, and that there shall be
no instruction offensive to the professors of
any religious creed. This it is which gives
ofiense 10 the Catholics and Episcopalians in
Ireland. TEey deem it paramount that in
University in which the youth OF the coun-
try are to be educated. religious teaching
should form a prominent feature. The
will have no University from
which the teaching of Catholic doctrine is e1-
Guided. The Episcopalians will not allow
the teaching OF modern history and moral
philosophy TO be excluded. Between the ,
two Mr.. Gladstone has been unable TO dis
cover a oonciliatory medium, and has there ,
fore failed.
Whether his defeat in this measure result I
in the formation OF a new Ministry or not, :
il is difficult just now TO form an opinion. ,
Disraeli is evidently afraid of the task
Gladstone seems fatigued with Ministerial ,
abor. Between them both Victoria is in a 4
middle. 4