Hawke's Bay Herald. SATURDAY, MAY 30, 1868.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 947, 30 May 1868, Page 2

Hawke's Bay Herald. SATURDAY, MAY 30, 1868.

The chief item of news by the Panama mail is the defeat of the Disraeli miuistry upon the resolutions of Mr. Gladstone bearing on the great Irish Church question. That the position may be clearly understood we quote from the Home News the following graphic description of the opening, debate— the result of which has reached us by means of the Atlantic cable :-— On the 10th of March began an Irish debate, initiated by Mr. Maguire. Lord Mayo, for the Government, said that nothirigwastobedonewiththe Irish Church until a commission had reported, and added enough to make it clear that nothing like a removal of the Ohuioh from its present position be attempted or endured by the Cabinet. On this progi'amme the Commons held debate for four nights, and there was much good, speaking. This we hare no intention c'f detailing, but it may afford indication of what is likely to occur if we say that ill . the leading speakers, not Ministerialists, condemned the Irish Church. Messrs Horsman; Lowe, Mill, C. Fortesciie (late Chief Secretary), Bright (in one of tie best speeches he ever- delivered), all declared that the Irish Church must be done away. But this was looked for at their hands. The question was what course Mr. Gladstone, to whom Earl Russell had handed the leadership of the Liberal party, would take, and wheni on the fourth niglit, he rose, there was a real sensation. For a long time he walked xound and round the subject, and men doubted whether he meant to be equal to the ocoasion. But at length, and after treating the Government proposals as utterly inadequate, Mr. Gladstone used words that Trill be historical. " The time for disestablishing the Church of Ireland has come." Then'out l>roke frantic cheering from the whole Liberal army. The designated leader had clutched the baton, and was ready to lead them to the assault* The plaudits stormed upon him, and it is thought that the vehemence of adherence which they testified induced him to say at once, what he might otherwise have preferred to keep back for a more formal presentation. He told Mr. Disraeli that unless the speech which they were then expecting was very different from the speeches of his colleagues, the duty of the Opposition would be not only to ask the decided opinion of the House, but to take a practical step that should convince Ireland that Parliament was in earnest in its desire to do her justice. Again descended the storm of plaudits, and they had ceased Disraeli stood at his place for a reply, his own followers answering the volley with cheers of no feeble character. He too had a long preamble, he tad bis banter to utter, his sarcasms to discharge. But he came to his point, and made a sturdy stand in behalf of religion, and of its connection with Government, lie declared that an endowed Cliurch was aeeded to keep faith steady, he derided the idea that any except Dissenters and so-called philosphers objected to endowments, and then, m thunderous tones, he denied the moral competency of Parliament to deal with the Irish Church previously to an appeal to the nation. The gauntlet had been flung down and taken up, the Maguire debate was instantly closed, and on Monday last Mr. Gladstone gave notice of three resolutions, of more importance than anything that has been heard of in ParKment, except the Reform Bill, since the last great representative change. They are in substance (1) That the Churoh of Ireland should cease to exist as an Establishment, due regard being paid to vested rights ; (2) .That no new personal interest shall be erected by the exercise of any public patronage ; (3) That the Queen be asked to place at the disposal of Parliament her interest in the temporalities of the Irish sees and other dignities. Mr. Gladstone demanded of the Government an early day for the discussion of these resolutions. Mr. Disraeli instantly met him with a proffer of the following Monday, and we now look forward to a debate which, whether as regards the principles involved, the interests affected, or the party results, cannot be easily equalled in the magnitude of its importance. How the division may go, or how, in the event of the resolutions being carried, Mr. Disraeli may meet the situation, are matters of party interest, and they do not require much attention here. It is difficult to see how any professed Liberal can keep away from Mr. Gladstone, and if the party rallies, a majority is certain. Mr. Disraeli may then dissolve. — It does not appear from the telegraphic messages what course Disraeli would pursue — whether resign or appeal to the country by a dissolution — but it would appear as if the state of feeling after the adjournment was intended to have some effect in determining his course of action. The result of the debate, carried by such a majority, cannot be looked upon but as a great triumph for liberal principles — shewing, as it does, a firm resolve to let no obstacle stand in the way of justice to Ireland.