The New York herald., 1877-11-21
The Ballot, the Irish Church, The Land
and Education Questions.
LOCAL sELF-GovERNMENT.
Indications of n New Lib
eral Policy.
THE FREEDOM OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN.


livercd BY Mr. Gladstone In Dublin the 7th Inst, on
the occasion OF bis being presented Win the freedom
OF that city,
Irrateiuly, my Lord Mayor and gentlemen, accept
this compliment accept Il as = was sven TOMS (
who are here present ('Hear, nearf'l II leaves 10
US all freedom and II does not imply on your part
appreciation either OF my acts In particular or my acts
IN general understand IL as you cay, TO be devoid Of
political sign ncancc. C'hear. hear!'p don't mean
TO say It would be less acceptable TO me II circum-
stances had permitted TO be invested with that
niicance; bul wish you TO understand accept u as
il given. and that in anything may say IN tho
remarks / may be led to submit 10 you I
entirely dsclaim entering the arena OF political
controversy ana l suall only mention py way OF
history. Hear, hearty But " is impossible
my Lord Mayor, TO come to Ireland without somc
reference It's history, Tor hard indeed must be the
heart aud dun and obtuse the standing that
be drawn aside even by the beauties Of the scenery
terest, perfect and comprehensive as must say,
entirely 10 surpass my anticipaions. Who can be
taken aside either by the fascination or by the real n-
terest Of the remotcr history OF ireland IRON
sdering It's present and prospective condtionY sHear
prospective condition without ircadng tho borders
o. that sphere OF controversy which ! am Obliged
alike by duty and inclination 10 avoid, but hope
shall be able 10 speak on the aspect which
nave endeavored TO describe in these lew
1t Is peculiarly agreeable 70 me to receive this
honor at the hands of q municipal corporation, and
not only OF municipal corporatlon but OF municl-
pa corporation which may without cxtravaganoc re-
gard as in some representative OF the general
body OF the Corporation OF Ireland 'Hsar, hear ~
Wnen sneak OF the value Of these institutions do
not use the language OF form or compliment l am
profoundly that local government, not only
the shape OF municipal institutions, but IN all
tnuse other shapes IN which u Is known 70 our his
tory agreeable to the spirit OF our arrangements us
tning TO be viewed with toleration-n not TO be
viewed with msgiv ivlng-not 70 be viewed even with
mental greatness OF the country and its
hons ('sHear, hearl" and applause.l
LOCAL MUNICIPAL GovERSMEyT.
For my part, II put Ireland entirely out OF
view-ii, Tor moment suppose that II does not ex
st-ii look exclusively at tne sister island, one o
my Chief regrets, OF my CHEF convictions as 10
the shortcomings OF Parliament and the inadequacy
It's strength for the duties 1T has TO discharge
Hear hear lies IN the fact that for years aud years
have boen talking, and suppose, taking seri-
pusly tue necessity modifying, bu modifying
30 extend local institutions OF government IN
England and yet we have done nothing for the pur-
pose. Not only have we done nothing for the pur-
pose, but by a system OF dealing out large
doses OF puolic money have been abriog-
Ing local instutlons--l Hear, hear !'')-and TAX
ing powers which we're formerly local into tho
hands oi the central authorities ('sHear, hearl'
Ny lord, IN my opinion We have been moving Ia that
sense IN tho wrong ulreclon. Central control un-
aoubtedy must accompany the grant OF pubic money
TO local institutions but, instead OF aorlaging the
power OF those local institutions, wc ought To- seek
opinion lies at the root OF nil Lounu legislation Zap
pluusc. look. indeed, TO fundamental principle
whcn do not oeileve that any one VIII question or
deny. an persuaded that We are at one holding
that these three Kingdoms should be ono patton the
face Of tue word-CsHear, hearl'')-one nation Tor
every purpose OF duty and OF power and that an i'm.
periai Parliament should give effect to that prin-
cipe In all things that ialI legltimatcly within It's
scope. Subject those paramount aud admitted
prncipes, for my part set bounds 10 tho
ccl 10 all through these three king
doms the people taught poltcalY in narrower
spheres the public duties which Belong to those mar
rover spheres and strive TO III themselves tor those
higher duties wnich are involved In the material
work of government (''Hear hear!') LIDO not believe
that any tniDg has contri0utcdperhaps nothing
much contributes ut this moment-to the solidity
oil British institutions the TACT the people arc
trained politically IN the habits OF sell COVER nncnt--
that tney understand political rignt aud understand
political duty and understanding the relations which
prevail between right on the side duty the
other, they carry with them taisman which is u
saeg guard In the MAN, ana in tie long Invaluable
against those dangers which have threatened and
those mischeis which have iaccrated other great
distinguished nations (Applausc.)
DisEsrABLlsiiMENT OF THE IRISH CHURCH.
Well. now, my lord, think ought TO travel an
incn further upon that particular topic taughterJ
hope have not offended 50 tar ('sNo. no p,l NAV
perhaps venture TO assure you that every measure
which II has been my duty 10 introduce, 10
Introducing with respect TO ireland nv OBJECT has
been the good OF the whole country--t Hear hear'-
because | believe by the establishment Of political
Justice. even when II may seem TO press upon
part, such is It's value 10 knitting together the
hearts and minds OF men, that you confer, even IN
The most extreme lar greater Ucnent on the
p,rcular class that thinks Itself injured than you can
possibly be aware Of (.Hear, hearI) There are many
have no douot here VINO are warmly ttached mem
Dcrs OF the Church dscstablished. May respect.
fully assure inem-l will not them OF any thing
that beyond the limits OF tho slrctest reasonI viii
not say them that benefit 10 that Church was the
primary leading motive even IN my MIND per-
sonaliy OF the measure that had the honor
duoe. t"Hoar, hearl'J Its leading motive was the
establishment oil Justico-the rarest oil All virtues,
the most precious the least valued. But am
making too great a demand upon tnom wnen
beg them 10 believe that IN my heart and mind I
nrmiy convnced-and remain firmly
vinced-that that act was act tnat would ult-
matey be found 10 be OF the greatest advantage for
the rclgouk aud spiritual welfare OF the unity
that II seemed 10 SUPP 'Hear, hear!') am even
hopeful and saDguine as 10 Deeve-not tnat an opln-
ION Of that KIND become universal-not that ~ is
not looked upon by many, perhaps as almost ridicu-
ous-but az the time, that IL Is an opinion hat
Is quietly and silently taking hold oil the mind of
many OF those who arc most Interested IN the qucs
ton. tHcar, hcah' But TINT IS only appeal mako
your liberation. to believe tho with which
that measure was introduced.
THE BALLOT.
There was another MEASURE my lord, with regard
TO witch | tnInk probably very much OF
the same mind, and which | find to DO contcm-
plated III Ireland with extraordinary interest,"
namely, tho act Tor tho estabshment Of secret Young
t'hear, hear!') Now, do not know whether any one
who hears me is an adinrer OF voting In the
abstract. tor ono frankly own that not ('sfear
within these walls and every one OF US with
on. lhcsc walls so profound respect for the
political rights and freedom oil zach man.
OF every other man. that the duties oi public
lie could be performed IL open day. (.Ilear, hearl
Hook upon secret voting as medicne--and ned-
cines are not always ID every respect agrccabie--I
look upon II AS guard, bulwark against int mida.
hon Abd against an unaue interlcreucc OF man with
man. well as import ant security pubic order
va connection with the great business OF choosing
members OF Parliament In that rcjOlce 10
hna that - far as am able from, admit very lin.
sense 10 Ireland great benefit has been
upon tnis country and II has been done toward thces
tablsshmcnt OF that political liberty which, even
though u may be abused, essential the true
faro and strength and luppness oil the country. Jap
plauso
THE EDrcATioS QUESTION.
Porhaps,my lord. shall be thought bold when say
ono word ON the SUBJECT OF the measure which
troauced IN respect TO education. But wish to
move an Impression which think innocently prevails
~ some minds. There are some who believe that the
covered an elaborate scheme for setting up
dcnomiuational education as against cducatlon
though tnnt school OF opinion perhaps 10 be found
on the other SIDE OF the Channel more than on this
There arc others, ana perhaps mprc IN Ireland, who
believe that our intention was exactly the reverse
10 sct up and 10 ensure the triumpn Of
mixed education over denomnational education
Nv the provisions OF that ollL NY ord, ! cannot
prctend to speak with inalbe authority: but of ali
men who live am by lar the most responsible tor
that DIL There IS not one whose respons Dilty in
rcsara TO IL the slightest degree approaches 10 my
own and, therefore, may DC permitted to give my
own version aud my version, ny lord Is thls:-l viii
mot say what are my own opinions on the question
bst cen demo and mixed education Those