The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-11-12
The Irish Question Can Only Be Satisfactorily
Dealt with by Party Possessing Ma
jOrity Independent of Parnell.
The Effort of the Tories to Make an
Issue on Church Disestablishment.
The Great Liberal Leader Presents Cogent
Reasons Why the Party Should Decline
the Challenge of the Conservatives.


GLADSTONE AT EDINBURGH.
Church Disestablishment Not an Issue-A
Plea for Liberal Unity.
EDINBURGH, Nov 11.-Mr. Gladstone and wife,
and Lord Roseberry and wife, drove in a car
riage to-day from Dalmony Park through the
principal thoroughfares to the Free Assembly
Hall. Crowds of people lined the route and great
enthusiasm was manifested at the appearance of
Mr.. Gladstone. On reaching the hall, Mr.. Glad
stone found it literally packed with people, wait
ing to hear his address In his speech Mr.. Glad
stone said it was impossible for Parliament to
deal with the Irish question satisfactorily except
by the action of party powerful enough to act
independent of the Irish vote According to
Tory as we'll as Liberal reports, such party, in
the coming Parliament can only be the Liberal
party. This consideration was more than ordi-
narily important; indeed, it was of the highest
imperial Importance
Passing to subject less important" Mr..
Gladstone said, II am reluctantly compelled to
refer to personal matters l am unable to un-
derstand the reason, but it undoubtedly has
become the fashion among portion of the
Tories to circulate, concerning me, an unfounded
dssOi tIueHt OI uloSL SrabultOuS untfuUnS, lnlS
is a mode of warfare that the Liberals have
never INDUCED in, and I believe that the bulk of
the respectable Tories dsapprove it. These un-
truths return to me in the shape of voluminous
correspondence daily, from all parts of the coun-
try, and ask my friends to receive all such
statements with resolute incredulity until their
makers prove their assertions. During former
campaign l remember having fatty denied
twelve untruths in a single letter. One of these
untruths, now circulated, says I possess large
quantity of land in Russia; another accuses me
of telling trees on Sunday; third says offered
to lend Lord Bradbourne four pounds yearly:
fourth, that asked the Liberal parliamentary
party, last session. to vote against their con-
sciences; fifth. that opposed the abolition of
fogging In the army, whereas I spoke and voted
in its favor, and sixth, that I voted against
household suffrage. Such are specimens of the
newest untruths circulated. In order TO prove
that l am not exaggerating produce the state
ments of three Tory candidates-Messrs. Ayers,
Sichebottom and Duncan. The last warns his
constituents of the gross inaccuracies Of the
Radicals. He then accuses me of opposing
household franchise, which not only did not op-
pose, but engaged in q newspaper discussion
with Lord Sherbrooke over the matter, he op-
posing and advocating the extension of the
suffrage. hope this exposure will save trouble
to those whose fears and apprehensions the
Tories seek to excite
II now enter graver subjec -disestablsh-
ment--not because it is an immediate and urgent
necessity, but in order to remove a widespread
misapprehension."
Mr.. Gladstone here referred to the sixteenth
section of his election manifesto, which is as fol-
lows:
"When the subject of State religion comes into
discussion, although it has been more freely
probed and unfoded in Scotland than elsewhere
and although lively feeling was naturally
to be expected, exists with regard to it in Wales,
yet it is the larger case i'll England which prin-
cpally arrests attention Bearing in mind all
the circumstances of the question, in connection
with the length OF my own past career, might,
perhaps, plead for an exemption from all share
in this controversy but having regard on the
other hand. to the deep interest felt in it, with
a strong conviction on the part of so many whose
confidence l have enjoyed, | think it right to say
few words, if they only tend to qualify over
sanguine expectations and to mitigate alarms
which appeared to me exaggerated, although
they are entertained by many, whom both off
cially and personally, | revere. With respect
to the severance of the Church of England from
a
question cannot become practical until it shall
have grown into the public mind by
thorough discussion. with the further condition
that the proposals, when thoroughly discussed,
shall be approved. Neither, l think, can such
change arise in country such as ours except
with the large observance of the principles of
equity and liberality, we'll as with the general
consent of the nation. We can hardly, however,
be surprised If those who observe that current
almost throughout the civilized world SLOWLY
sets in this direction, should desire or fear that
among ourselves, too it may be found to oper
ate l cannot forecast the dim and distant
course of the future. But, like all others, have
observed the vast and everncreasing deyelop-
ment for the last fifty years, both at home and
abroad, in the church to which belong of the
powers of voluntary support. Those abridgments
of her prerogatives as An establishment, which
have been frequent of late years. have not
brought about decrease, and have at least been
contemporaueous with an increase of her spirit
ual and social strength. BY devotedness of life
and by solidity Of labor the clergy are laying
good foundation for the time to come. The at
tachment of the laity improves. if may so
speak, both In quantity and quality. The En-
clish church also appears to be eminently suited,
in many and weighty points, to the needs Of the
coming time, and have a strong conviction that
II this great modification of our inherited insti-
tutions shall hereafter be accomplished the vi
tality of the Church of England will be found
equal to all the needs OF the occasion"
AN ISSUE THAT SHOULD NOT BE MADE.
He then sad
when wrote this section considered it q
posthumous requisite. fully believing-and I
still retain that belief-that / should never be
called upon to share in the practical controver.
sizes in relation thereto. What / am about to
say relates chiefly to the Church of England
Circumstances in England and Scotland are not
precisely the same. / wrote simply to commend
that in a future, more or less remote when the
controversy shall arrive, it be prosecuted in an
equitable temper, and with careful endeavors to
master its enormous difficulties. After writing
the passage in the manifesto, heard nothing Of
the question for many weeks. 1t certainly did
not aYcifA alarm for l0nu nd