New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-03-27
it. The railway problem is the problem Of
our time 80

our Tune.
THE BATTLE or CHURCH AND STATE.
We publish this morning the first of series
of letters from Ireland which will give a clear
and succinct exposition of the present attitude
of the important questions which now engage
the consideration of the statesmen OF England
and the interest of thinking men all over
the world These papers are prepared for
THE TRIBUNE by gentleman who has
made the political and economical condition
of Ireland his study for many years, and
whose published works upon these subjects
are regarded as the best authorities in regard
to them. Sure of his ability and integrity, we
have left him entirely free to express his
views without restraint. Whatever he writes
will be worthy of attentive reading, even by
those who differ from his conclusions. we do
not expect always to agree with him, but we
are confident that his letters will tend to clear
up many misapprehensions and to enlarge the
sum of knowledge in this country upon the
weighty matters of which he will treat.
Some of the earlier letters will touch upon
the subject of sectarian education which has
come forward so prominently in consequence
of the too generous attempt of Mr.. Gladstone
to settle it on principles of mutual concilia-
ton. Not only the defeat of his Ministry, but
their return to power also, are events OF O
significance, in relation to this question, when
he will probably be the first to appreciate. lie
fell, because the Catholics refused the conces-
sons which a large proportion of Protestants
thought too great, and he came back to power
because Mr.. Disraei and his Conservative col
leagues saw that it was impossible TO satis1y
the exactions of the Catholic Church, and thus
refused to assume the hopeless task. 1t Is
probable that Mr.. Gladstone and his associates
in the Ministry entertained no doubt when
this measure was framed that it would entirely
satisfy the reasonable requirements OF the
Catholics, and that his principal efforts must
be devoted to keeping together the Liberal
English and Scotch members, who might be
easily presumed to regard some of its features
with distrust. And, indeed, it would be hard
to imagine what objection the most rigid OF
Catholics could find to the Bill, which would
compare with what would present itself to a
Protestant or nationalist member, upon reading
that extraordinary provision prohibiting the
study of history and philosophy, and forbid
ding the Professors of the New National
University from enunciating any opinions
which would shock or offend any
of the pupils 1t would not ba
easy to imagine any more elaborate
effort at Cancellation than this. Yet 1t was
contemptuousy rejected by the extremists oil
both sides, and by the mass of the Roman
Catholic population of Ireland. When this be-
came apparent near the close of the debate,
the Government speakers, as If dcspairlng OF
Catholic votes and DESTROYS to keep their own
supporters together, declared, with some en-
phasis, that "the principle of the Bill was to
affirm, consolidate. and extend the system OF
mixed and united education in Ireland
These declarations, while they did not disarn
the insubordinate distrlist of the English Con-
seryatives, confirmed, if possible, the hostile
attitude of the Irish Liberals. The bill was
lost, and all parties to-day have clearer views
of the limitations imposed upon the action OF
Parliament by the nature of the case.
II is becoming more and more obvious that
there is no possibility of conciliating political
differences which have their origin i'll differ
ences of faith There is no resource except in
the courage, the moderation and the sagacity
OF the nlaJOIlJys Ht dJttupb W Noh'h"Np ho'
ended for the present in England, by return
to power of the Ministry whose scheme OF
union was defeated. 1t is not to be expected
that Mr.. Gladstone will again Immediately I'M
dertake that thankless task. In Prussia the
same contest is going on in a far different
manner. There Prince Bismarck is resolutely
delivering battle to the Church with the firm
intention of subjecting it Internationally to
the State He is using all his influence in the
| Prussian Herrenhaus to forward the anti
clerical measures which he thinks have been
| rendered necessary by ecclesiastical OppOsi
ton to the Government He throws upon
the priesthood the responsibility of prevent
ing a compromise, and therefore is endeavor'
! ing to modify those clauses of the Constitu-
ton through which compromise was made
| possible The 18th and 18th clauses of the
| Constitution provided modus riuendi be-
tween the Church and the Government, the
| efficiency of which depended upon the mutual
| good faith of the parties. But the moment
their relations become hostile, the compromise
fall to the ground, and the State must assume
its position of authority. The results of Thu
| conflict will be watched with the deepest in
terest in Ireland and in Germany,
LOOK TO THE SENATE
When the CLAYTON case was under discussion