Sir John Acton, the most Liberal and able of the
English Catholics, is to contest Bridgnorth again, and has issued a thoughtful address, in which he speaks of the Liberal party, "for some time weakened by the number and variety of its elements," as "united by the prospect of impending change," and as "act- ing under the guidance of one who possesses, as no other English statesman ever yet possessed, the capacity to tread untrodden paths, and the confidence of the classes whom the Reform Act has raised to influence." We heartily trust that Sir John Acton may be a member of the House which will have the duty of dis- establishing the Irish Church. No Roman Catholic member will command the weight on such a subject which he can command, for he will combine with sincere Catholicism a width of intellect, a depth of learning, a sobriety of judgment, and a hearty dread of Papal despotism, such as will secure for him the deep respect of the Protestant as well as the sympathy of the Catholic part of the House.
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