A great meeting was held on Thursday in St. James's
Hall to consider the question of the Irish Church. Earl Russell took the chair, and in a short speech glowing with much of his old fire announced his approval of Mr. Gladstone's Resolutions. He should, he said, have preferred an equality produced by the en- dowment of all sects ; but as the Protestants of Great Britain and the Catholics of Ireland were equally opposed to that policy, he would secure equality by the disendowment of all. He believed the measure would not injure the Church of England, which at present was like a strong swimmer with a great lump of lead tied to his foot. He quizzed Mr. Disraeli for declaring that disestab- lishment would be as injurious as foreign conquest, while propos- ing, through Lord Stanley's Amendment, to consider the question next year. Suppose a foreign power demanded dishonourable concessions under menace of conquest, should we reply, " If you propose to conquer us next year, we will take the matter into consideration " ? The Earl was enthusiastically applauded, and the meeting passed resolutions approving disendowment, and asserting total want of confidence in the present Ministry.
