The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-02-15
THE PR ES s.
MONDAY MORNING, FEB. Is, 1875
John Bright and the Church.

English Liberals have been virtually without
a policy. That statesman's resignation of
the leadership has thrown them into guam
Diary. They cannot retreat they do not dare
to advance. There is a maxim in currency
which is attributed to Queen Elizabeth: "the
world is a bog; we must trip over it lightly,
for if we stop, we SINK" Substitute poll
tics" for "world" and the maxim will CON-
mend itself to the English Liberals, though
it remains for the jaunty Disraeli to act fully
in its spirit.
The new leaders, like Mr.. Forster, and
Lord Harrington, and Mr.. Harcourt, who
have been pushed forward, are able and
trusty men, but not men who by length or il
of service have claims to the tri-
pod in an emergency like the present. The
eyes of the mass of the party atIonce turned to
John Bright for aid in present difficulty and
in regard to future policy. The
health of that gentleman has been such that
for some time past he has almost entirely
from public affairs, and it was
feared that his strength would be inadequate
to the task of speech-making. On the 25th
Ult. however, he addressed his constituents
at Birmingham. The address entirely ig-
nored all issues except that of church discs
tabishment. So that question may now be
regarded as the one upon which the next di-
vision of parties in England will take place.
In one respect Mr.. Bright is much like the
late President Lincoln. He catches the pub
lie fancy and attention by jest, and then fol-
lows up with a series of logical and serious
statements. He began his address by de-
scribiug ecclesiastical affairs as the most ex-
citing and explosive branch of politics, and
said that the conservative ministry were en-
gagged in applying match to every bit OF
they found in their way. This
led the way 10 the consideration of the trans
fer OF church patronage in Scotland, and to
the statement that Sin future elections in
Scotland the question of disestablishment
will come up as great and main question be-
fore almost every constituency in that king
DOM" From the church in Scotland to the
church in England was but step, and Mr..
Bright speedily took it. The public worship
bill was mentioned as measure that ought
to have been kept out Of politics. 1t was in
troduced by moderate man, the Archbishop
of Canterbury: 'but," said the speaker, Il
have found the most reckless and dangerous
things are often proposed and done by very
moderate men, sentence which deserves
to rank as an aphorism. The bill was ridi-
culed beyond measure, and the absurdity set
forth of special legislation to control men who
are supposed to be the elect of the kingdom
and upon whose consecrated heads the hands
of bishops have been placed.
Mr.. Bright then passed on to considera-
tion of the position of the Church of England,
and made what was in effect an argument for
its disestablishment. 1t was declared not to
be in harmony with the age. and as much an
anachronism in the reign of Victoria as any
other establishment of the reign
of Elizabeth. 1t has given no
service to any of the great meas
ures of change and improvement which
have been passed during the last half century,
but has been found in powerful opposition to
every needed legislative or administrative re-
form. Half its lvings are private property,
and are bought and sold in the open market.
From one end of the country to the other
there is traffic in its most sacred and SOL
emn offices. Promotion is not by merit but
through interest and importantly. There is
scarcely a neglect or betrayal of duty by its
ministers, unless it be some great scandal,
which either the law or the congregation can
touch. The legislature it is true is enthusias-
tic and almost unanimous in its support.
But, as Mr.. Bright shrewdly says, II never
knew House of Commons unanimous and
enthusiastic about thing except when it did
not know what it was doing and where it was
going"
Such is the substance of the indictment of
the English church by the foremost of Eng
lish statesmen. 1t evidently foreshadows the
policy of the more advanced Liberals, and as
evidently split in the party; for the great
Whig families will never consent to disestab-
lishment. That Mr.. Bright does not purpose
to lead the new movement himself, and that
he does not insist that it shall be Immediately
made is apparent from his closing sentences: !:
In conclusion, 1 say am not asking you or
your constituencies, or any party or section OF
a party, to plunge into violent agitation for
the overthrow of the established Church of
England. / think it would be great calamity
indeed that great change like that should
come of violent hatred and discussion. and that
it should be accomplished in tempest which
is almost like the turmoil of great revolution.
l ask you only to consider it, and / appeal not
only to you who may be Nonconformsts, but I
appeal to those who do care about it, who do
care, as they say they do, about Professionalism
and religion. 1t is not for me to join in any
crusade against the Church. / have offered to
you tonight my humble contribution to the
greatest question Of our time. If | am able to
form any just Judgment upon it, should say
that will be great day for freedom in this
country, and for Professionalism and Christianity
which shall witness the full enfranchisement
of the Church within the realm of England.