New-York tribune., 1886-05-09
PROTESTANTS ON HOMERULE
OBJECTIONS OF ULSTER pREsBYTERIANs.
TEXT OF THEIR DECLARATION TO THE CHURCH IN
AMERICA.
my CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE 7


LONDON, May s.-Mr. Chambcrlains emphatic
decmration of his intention to support
Protestant Ulster, should that Province re-
fuse to intrust its liberties and fortunes
to the control of central Parliament at Dublin,
gives immediate interest and Importance to the as
yet unpublished official declaration of the Presby
terian Church Of Ireland through It's Moderator.
The declaration is given in full below addressed TO
the Presbyterans of America
The Presbyterian Churches in America being connected
bymany ties with their brethren in ireland holding tho
sam' creed and maintaining the church order and
having two years ago cementod their knshIp at the
meeting othe PanP Presby Council held In Belfast
| ara naturally deeply Interested In tho consttu-
tional changes proposed to be carried out by Mr
| Gsdstones Government OF ireland bill. and es.
peciaily desrous to ascertain the views entertained
regarding the Premers proposals by their coregion
ists Ireland About month prior to the introduc
ton OF the Home Rulo bill. large special meeting OF
tho Irish Presbyterian General Assembly was held to
Consider the state OF the country; at which meeting
comprehensive series OF resolutions WAS unanimously
adopted These resolutions expressed a strong desire
Tor such measure Of land reform would create
occupying ownership fair terms. and deprecated in
the most decisive language legislation in the direc-
ton OF = legislative parliament for Ireland
Acommittee was appointed to watch the progress OF
events and take such action circumstances might re
qnre That committee authorizes to state that the
|
caused much dis 'ppolntment among large sections OF
tho people and 1t Is feared that it at present stands
the measure will fall far short of meeting the extgences
OF the case am also desired to that the proposals
contained In the Government OF Ireland bill more
than Justify the worst fear of the Assembly
az regards Home Rule. Mr.. Giadstone's measure
II carried into law will practically dissolve the legsa
| tive union between Great Britain and Ireland.
II will set in motion forces which must inevitably re-
suit either in the breaking up of the unity OF the Empire
or In the reconqucst Of Ireland by the Imperial power
1t reduces 10 npoent shadow the supremacy Of I'm
peria Parliament Irish affairs In common with
their Roman Catholic fellow countrymen tho Presbyer-
ians of Ireland have suffered much from religious and
class ascendency social conditions which recent legisa-
ton whatever merits demerits, has effectualy
abolished, aud just at the moment when the country
beginning realize the full measure Of civil and re-
gous equality accorded to t and when denOmnational
rancors fast sudsding 1t Is proposed
by committing legislative and administrative authority
to Dublin Parliament. certain to bc controlled by the
National League, to re-estabish religious and class
ascendency in degree less Injurious to the best inter-
ests OF ireland than the inequalities lately removed
and whose pressure people felt 80 keeny.
The guarantees presented for the rights and
privileges of minoritics, both resident In Ulster
aud scattered throughout ireland. are wholly usory
The proposal to establish two orders IN the House OF
Parliament Is that will result either IN reducing
legislation to deadlock in intcnsfyng the friction
class The abolition OF the properted
order will therefore be Immediately agttated for. and
during tho struggle the independence ani public spirit
OF its members will be seriously compromised The sub
judges and of the police to the popular
voice expressed IN a Dublin parliament Will bring
all who not in sympathy with the Nationalist
feeling into dlsrustful aud uneasy relations with tho
law
There Is only safeguard that adequately pro-
tect rights OF minorties wherever situated IN Ire
lard
tionship of Ireland to ENGLAND, involving the abiding
presence of the modeatng influence or British justice
and British law. The Assembly ackno edges TO the
large sections Of tho Irish people have in tho
past sufferer y and Grevous wrongs. but is con-
ynced there grievances removable legislation
which be removed by the Imperial Parliament IL
cordially appreciates the kind aud generous spirit dis
played of late toward Ireland by the British people,
and it confident that Irish interests and welfare will be
best subserycd by leaving the goodwill and good
sense the Inhabitants OF the three Kingdoms and notby
rashy handing them Il section numbering only
sneenlh the WHOLE for assuredly the establishment
OF a legislative assembly for Ireland would most
seriously agggayatc many evils already existing In the
country.
It would intensity poverty by fastening the exodus of
capital ana capitalists by imposing exac:ons and OK
cessive TAXATION by dcprecatng the value OF Irb in
vestmcnts and securities by shattering mercahtiIe
confidence aud credit and by preventing the natural
development OF industrial enterprise. IL would
tcnd TO the lowering or puOllc moras ny
proclalmng that privileges were TO be
granted to ,ns OF violence and outrage rather
the claims OF constitutional agitation 1t would
Immensely exaccbate the spirit of party which for so
long the disgrace aud curse OF many districts In
Ireland and II the constitution foreshadowed in the
present will bc imposed which, instead OF confcr-
ring upon Ireland anything resembling State rights re-
duces position in the Empire than that ora
thrl-cass colony The birth OF the new system Will but
be synchrouOus with the Inauguration OF fresh agitation
whose object will he not merely to shake oil the dis
abilities attached to the constitution but to shatter to
the uttermost and by the tics that remain to
bind Ireland to the Empire.
No other conclusion is possible from the 80 FAR uncon-
radiced of the Nationalist leaders, II tho
Government propos carried into effect the Pres
byterans OF ireland Will feel themselves cruelty
and betrayed by their British eowcitizens
whose orshers planted them III the country 2oo years
ago During all that time have contributed In no
small the welfare of Ireland and on the faith
OF the British connection we have enlarged our borders
till we extend all the country We have built up
churches and schools our manses and colleges our
factories and houses have bought land and con-
structed railways; we have created vast trusts and
carried through enormous all IN tho belief
Of our citizenship 10 the United Kingdom and relying on
the strong, just hand OF British laws.
Aud now. after all against earnest pleading ana
protest our loyalty and patriotism and self-relianco
almost scOrned we. who until now. rejoced In Deing
reckoned an integral portion OF the United Kingdom,
ar. to be degraded from citizenship and our Der-
tes our properties aud our lives. aud handed TO the
keeping Of wholly irresponsible authority.
We havo been appealed to to accept the
proposed new order OF things and make the best OF IT.
Beyond doubt it could be shown to the General Assem-
bly, that Home Rule to DO beneht to Ireland sho
would be found In the Of the movement demanding
It, but believes that in every sense and every
degree the granting Of would only end In disappoins
dis she feels
most OF her power the nl-omened proposals OF tie
Prime Minister
Signed by order Of the Assembly's committee:
JAMES w. WnGnAM.
Moderator of the General Assembly of the PresDyteah
Church Ireland.
Belfast, April 26. 1856.
OPINION OF NEw-fORK fKEsbfIEhiANS.
L chnxu lat