The Irish Church debate, raised on Sir John Gray's motion
last Tuesday, was chiefly remarkable for Mr. Gladstone's very powerful speech. He pointed out very ably the inconsistent excuses offered so commonly,—and which had been offered in that very debate,—for this Protestant Establishment in a Catholic country,—firstly, that it is our duty to establish the truth,—next, that if the Establishment is subverted, the propagandism of the Pro, testante will be very much increased, instead of diminished. "If it- ought to be maintained on account of its truth," said Mr. Glad- stone, "how can the honourable member demand our vote for his amendment, on the ground that if we remove the Establishment the truth will spreed more rapidly?" The Attorney-General for Ireland defended the Establishment on the ground, long abandoned by all sensible men, that it would be a confiscation of private property to subvert it, and accused Mr. Gladstone of socialism and communism. He might almost as well have accused him of Fenianism at once. The Liberals admitted that they had not yet prepared their alternative course, so that the previous question was carried by a majority of 12,-195 against 183. Mr. Gladstone himself did not vote.
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