Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1880-07-02
The Case Of Bradlauuh.
Sacramento Record. Union.


The House Of Commons vas the
scene Of an extraordinary excitement
during the division on Bradlaush's case.
The Tories took this opportunity TO
make an attack upon the government,
and by adroitly combining political and
religious prejudice. succeeded In infict.
ing q defeat upon the Ministry. and at
the lame time unseating Bradlaugh. It
may be doubted whsther 1t would have
been possible h poll such q vote against
him had the question been unmixed, for
there are plenty Of precedents to show
that. at least during the last twenty
years. the House has been disposed to
extend great latitude to members in the
matter OF the oath. In fact. 1t may DO
said that with the anal removal Of the
disabilities OF the Jews, which was In
1858, the tendency has been towards
the clearing away Of all impsdimsnts OF
the conscientious kind.
The oath has repeatedly been modified
to relieve Jews, Quakers, Moravians.
Separatists, and others, from smbarrass.
ment, and therefore there wa no reason
In the traditions Of the House for refus-
ing to allow Mr.. Bradlaugh to make an
Affirmation instead Of swearing ION the
faith Of . Christian" The presumption
10 that the Opposition was really more
anxious to defeat the government than
to unssst Mr.. Bradlaugh. but however
that may be, the ultimate consequences
Of the vote are likely to be equally seri.
BUS. There are enough voters In En-
gland who think with Bradlaush upon
religious questions. to resent the appear.
ancs OF bigotry in the vote against him.
and to start . movement In his behalf
which IL not only certain to secure bis
reelection. but must force the question
Of his atheism into the shape Of q
national issue.
Bigotry and intolerance can no longer
rely upon the support OF society. The
right Of free thought on all questions ID
o proposition which will make = formid'
able appeal to the liberal tendencies oil
the country, and will enlist the symps'
thy not alone Of the ultra radicals, but
Of many intellectual leaders who per-
csive the drift and scope OF the contro'
versy. The sphemeral triumph OF the
Tories 10 therefore likely to cost them
moro dearly than several defeats, for
they have. apparently without psroeivine
Il, suffered themselves to be sntangled
in Q contest wherein all the forces oil
modern civilization are arrsyed against
them. To those who can look beyond
the moment IL must be evident that the
ng.thrsstenins issue OF d~issstsblish.
ment OF the Anglican Church is really
involved In the struggle now begun, and
that by their impolitic intolerance the
| Tories have contrived to force into the
ranks OF their opponents on that ques.
ton many who would perhaps have pre-
ierred to remain neutral had 1t been
possible.
Mr.. Bradlaugh himself 10 q man OF
great determination and persistence. and
We may be sure that he will not surren'
der the honorable position to which be
has been elevated by the suffrages OF his
countrymen, without . resoluts contest.
The House Of Commons no doubt pos
sssses the right to prescribe the qualif'
cations Of It's members. but II has never
yet been strong enough to resist the will
Of the people when repeatedly manifest
cd in the reelection Of . member.