New-York tribune., 1874-11-21
ton, which grows to be a second nature after
q lifetime Of its exercise.

ton, Which grows to be 5ecOnd nature a1Ccr
lifetime Of its exercise.
1t cannot be denied that by this controversy
he has endangered the continued existence OF
the Liberal party as it now stands. Most of
its victories of late years have been won by
the assistance of the Irish members, whose CO.
operation must now be given up, unless tho
Liberal party distinctly disavow all connec-
ton with the views of their former leader
which would be about as dangerous as TO
adopt them. But if the discussion takes the
range and excites the interest which 1t now
promises, it is idle to imagine that the Liberal
organization alone is to be affected by II. lr
the question of the conflict between the loyalty
of Catholics to the Church and to the State
becomes q living issue of English politics, 1t
will disturb the equilibrium of all parties as
profoundly as the question OF Slavery did III
this country after the compromise measures
of 1859. It is likely that Dir. Disraeh
looks with as much anxiety upon thls
EXPLOSION of conscience in his old adversary
as that which is felt by any of Mr.. Gladstones
associates. 1t is one thing to write fancilui
romance in which the possibilities OF future
conflict of Church and State are set 1orth'
and quite another to be forced against ones
will to take and hold certain position IN
relation to such a conflict. Mr.. Dlsrael mas
in former days made good deal OF capital
by putting himself forward as a defender of
Protestant Christianity. 1t will hardly meet
his views to see so powerful man as Mr..
Gladstone doing the same thing with twice
his force and earnestness. The fact that Mr..
Gladstone is not the leader of his party only
makes Kim more dangerous to Prime MIN
ister who it may be said without malice,
thinks as much of his place as he does OF
Professionalism.
Tt is not ia the ranks of the Reformed
Church alone that this controversy seems des-
tined to leave its traces. Among people Oh
such active minds as are to be found among
the English Catholics it is scarcely possible
that discussion Of this importance should
not develop serious differences OF opinion. Ibe
expressions which have already been ellclted
from prominent ecclesastics have thrown no
light whatever upon the true issue, as tney
cOnfine themselves to saying that the Cath-
olics are bound to obey their civil ralers IN
all things lawful leaving the definition oil
legality, by implication, with the authority OF
Rome, as their opponents say. A Ger
tain body of English Catholics have
made public declaration of their paramount
allegiance to the laws of the land, and it is
said that delegation Of English Bishops are
20 GO s3 Rome to obtain permission to pursue
an independent course in case the British
Government should seek to restrict the I'D
erty of action of the Catholic clergy. Even IL
they are successful in this-which, In the
present temper of the Vatican, is doubtful
the question is very little relieved by such an
exceptional dispensation. If the Court OF
Rome and the trained and polite Papal Bish-
ops of England can meet this crisis without
damage to the historic unity of the Church,
they will achieve great, and as 1t seems to
us, improbable success.