New-York tribune., 1873-02-28

philosophy are In great degree Of Protest
ant character. These circumstances naturally
have the tendency of practically excluding
Roman Catholic students from the benefits OF
the institution.
Nearly forty years ago the necessity was felt
for providing means for higher education
which would be open TO Roman Catholics (;
and Mr. Peel devised as a remedy the plan
upon which the Queens University is organ
lied. This is of purely secular type; the
course of studies is limited to secular subjects,
and admission is free to all persons without
regard to creeds The same rule is applied
to the digntaries and other officers of the
institution, and no religious teaching Is made
n requisite to admission or collegiate dlsci-
pline. Mr.. Peel hoped that harmony would
thus be promoted among the different sectari-
ans, and, as he had the benefit OF Roman
Catholics mainly in view, he expected they
would largely avail themselves of these priyi-
leges. These calculations have not been
realized The number of Protestant stu
dents has always been largely III excess oil
the Roman Catholics. The idea of secular
instruction is one which commends itself pecu-
liarly to the Protestants of Ireland, and the
by them with especial favor.
1t is the sectarian character OF Trinity Col
lege which encourages the Roman Catholics to
demand for themselves separate sectarian in
struction. Their demands, if we consider the
state of public opinion III Great Britain, are
cxtravagant. As these have been expressed
by the bishops of the Roman Catholic ihier-
arcEy, there were only two plans which
could give satisfaction Either Catholic
University with State endowments at least
equal to those of Trinity College, or National
University embracing all university instltu-
tions in Ireland, with one or more colleges OF
a purely Catholic type, also literally maintained
and endowed and having a Senate in which
the Catholic element shall be adequately rep
resented by persons enjoying Catholic conf
dcncc. Both of these plans would make
British taxpayers contribute to the support
of the Roman Catholic religion in
ireland. While the sectarian character of
Trinity College would be maintained, another
sccarian institution would be established.
Not only would the claims of the NOncon-
formists for secularization of Trinity College
be disregarded, but an additional cause OF
dissatisfaction would be given by extending
tho field of scctarian education. If these
terms had been accepted by Mr.. Gladstone
his defeat would have followed very rapidly
on their proposal to Parliament. Mr..
Gladstone has done much better He
has adopted the outlines of the less Objec-
tionabe of these demands, and by secular
izing Trinity College and placing the Roman
Catholic University on an equal footing with
it as Regards university privileges, he has
deprived them of their grievance. 1t Is
possible the Roman Catholic bishops will refuse
to recognize this measure as an adequate
solution of the question, on the ground that
students of their creed are debarred the priv
ege of obtaining instruction under their own
supervision. The claim, however, is one of
which the State can take no cognizance. The
prospect of the complete secularzaton of in
struction is one which should afford unmingled
satisfaction; and we hope it will soon be eX-
tended to the remainder of the kingdom.