Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1885-11-08
The Question of Church DisestabIishment
Now the Dominating Issue in
British Politics.
Why Mr.. Gladstone Was Forced to Make
the Fight on this Platform
The Outlook.
International European Affairs Badly
Mixed Because OF the Balkan
Complications.


in Ireland pretty much as he pleases,
while the voters in England and Scotland
are set by the ears over the question OF
the church. The contro-
versy has become exceedingly better. 1t
has been described as "the combat of the
Church fightingfor life against
the disssnters struggling to destroy the
State monopoly of religion. Everybody
in Great Britain has become deeply inter
ested in the contest, and it is nov thought
that the result of the elections will hinge
entirely on the church question alone. The
engrossing Importance in the campaign of
the question of disestablishmeDt is due to
the preponderating influence of the Radi-
Gals in the Liberal party. At the open
ing of the contest the leaders on
both sides acted as if they thought
the campaign would be fought
on the question OF foreign policy.
1t was soon found, however, that the Con-
servatives, having nothing better to offer
on this issue than their predecessors in
office, would soon g to pieces in politi-
cal struggle based on that question, and
On these the Tories got the better OF the
Liberals, and secured coalition with the
Home Rulers. While the Liberals had a
chance Of affiliating with the Parnellites,
they comparatively ignored the Radicals.
The latter, therefore, opened campaign
on their own account, and they made the
promise to
WORK FOR DIsEsTABLIsHAEST
as the most important pledge in their
platform. When Mr.. Gladstone and his
Liberal colleagues were aroused by the
detection of the Parnellites to the neces-
sity of securing closer union with the
Radicals, the latter had raised the issue
of disestablishment to such prominence
that it could not be removed from tine
controversy. Mr.. Gladstone was COM
PEELED, therefore, in securing an alliance
with the Radicals, to leave such Radical
and Liberal candidates Is were already il
nomination free to remain steadfast to
their pledges. So many of these candi-
dates had pledged themselves to discs
tablishment that the Conservatives forced
the question to the front and arrayed
themselves unitedly in favor OF the Es-
taliighed Church. They derived immense
assistance from the Catholic clergy OF
g reat Britain. Headed by Cardinal New
man, the more prominent British Catho-
lie prel9tes Joined the Conservatives in
defending the church, taking the ground
that any religion was better than no re-
lieion; that the Established Church was
one of England's greatest bulwarks
against immortality; that to gave it from
destruction Vas moral duty. This but
served to cement the union between the
Catholic Home Rulers apd the ConseTva-
tives. and to make the whole question of
prime importance.
THE CONSERVATIVE LEADERS
were inspired to renewed activity, aud
they have succeeded in so forcing the
light that tie people Of Great Britain are
n. night thoroughly aroused and clearly
divided - this exciting religious 8 uestion,
and eyery clergyi,..su has become ior the
time bitterly partisan D, p'neiaH on ens
OF the two sides to the controversy.
servative Liberals are now doing their uv-
most to get the question removed from
the canvass. The Liberal associations are
everywhere attempting to discard it from
the programme of their party. 1t is more
than probable, however, that the practical
recognition OF their mistake has come too
late. This statement is not meant to con-
vey the idea that the Tories and Pdrnell-
lies combined viii beat the Liberals and
Radicals in the number Of candidates they
ment. AS matters stand the Liberals will
probably elect the greater number, but the
Tory party has declared its intention 20
remain in power unless they are defeated
by so large q msj sjOrity as to indicate an
overwhelming public expression in favor
OF their retirement. Unless Mr.. Glad
stone can succeed in diminishing the adj
vantsge which the Tories at present have in
the religious issue, it will be difficult, if
not impossible, for him to secure maj "
ity large enough in the next Parliament
to permit of his
RESTORATION TO POWER.
The difficulties which lie in his way may
be seen in the following iacts: OF the
thousand and more Liberal candidates
now in the field in Great Britain, $50 are
pledged to favor disestabllshment. The
constituencies contested by these csndi-
dates will nearly all insist on their fidelity
to the pledge. In Scotland the embarrass-
ments which lie in the ex-Premier's way
are particularly great. Oae thousand four
hundred and seventy dissenting Scotch
clergymen have signed an address to him
declaring that they look to him to over
throw the State Church. Ia this remarka-
BILE political address theJe Scotch ministers
declare: "The time has come to sever the
relations between the church and the
state. Dissenting Chris
tians have refrained too long from making
this contest, and we now insist that the
coming Parliament terminate the unjust
and injurious connection" Mr.. Joseph
Chamberlain and Sir Charles Dixie, the
Radical leaders, have privately urged NJ.
Gladstone to plScate the Scotch voters by
promising 20 have Il establishment se-
cured for them, if it be their will, leaving
the question in England TO be settled by
future events. There is CREST deal Of
anxiety to know what attitude Mr. Glad
stone will publicly assume on this ques-
ton. He will speak in Scotland next
week. The Church Defense Leagues of
Edinburgh have arranged to make great
demonstration in that city on the night OF
the ex-Premier's arrival there, and the
dissenters are preparing counter demon
stration for the same evening.
IN EUROPEAN INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRs
attention is concentrated upon the court
and diplomatic intrigues in progress for
and against the deposition of Prince Alex
andsr in Bulgaria. Queen Victoria and
her ministers, it is understood, are deter
mined to keep Princess Beatrics's brother
in-law upon the throne as ruler of united
Bulgaria and Roumeiia. Ga the other
hand, the Car and the royal house OF
Denmark are equally resolved to accom-
plish his ovs'-throw. This latter combiEa-
ton are pt Spg the claims of young
Prince Walds TO succeed Alexander.
Waldemar is Don Of King Christian OF
Denmark, and tentlv married Princess
Marie, daughte the Due de Chartres.
Some gossips pf md to see ia the Cars
intrigues desig win France away from
her partnership Sh England and Italy
concerning the Balkan question. 1t might
4 4 A, ,f hut
certainly would dispiease the Republi-
cans and cement their relation with
| England. 1t is also understood that
| the German Crown Prince Ffederick
| William has become warm supporter
| of Qleen Nictoria's contest in tavoT
| Of Prince Alexander. Russia, how Ner.
| does not mean to be baked easily. The
Gar, it is stated, has resolved in the
| event of failing to succeed in having Prince
| Alexander opposed in favor OF Prince
| Waldemar, to push the Duke of Leuchten-
berg forward for the Bulgarian throne. The
| Duke is a brother-in-law OF the late Gen
Skobeloff, and he would undoubtedly work
/ out the Russian interest in the Balkans II
| he had the chance. Minister Lascelles, the
| British agent at Sofs, at present accompa
/ nies Prince Alexander everywhere he
| goes. 1t is reported that he does so under
| special instructions from her majesty
| government, and that his conduct is ae
| cepted by the BuleariSns and Roumeliant
as a mark of England's support of the
union. The Prince OF Wales, who has il
recent years become very prudent, holds
entirely aloof from any participation in the
Bulgarian affair, and does not permit him
self to be swayed by family Influences OF
| either the German or Russian side of thu
house. &c apparently takes the grounC