We are glad to see that the rumour that the
Government in- tend to deal with the Irish University question in some manner really satisfactory to the Irish Catholics is gaining solidity, and is credited in well-informed quarters. The Daily Telegraph, which attempted last Session to raise a " No-Popery " cry against the Intermediate Education Bill of the Government, not only credits the rumour, but implies its own approval and sup- port,—which it would hardly do if its managers did not believe that a critical measure was in prospect. It hints that the measure is intended to "dish the Liberals." By all means, " dish " the Liberals, we should reply, by doing justice which the Liberals are unable to do, or ignoring pedantic scruples which the Liberals are unable to ignore. But if the scheme is really to be brought for- ward, let it be thorough; and grant direct endowment at once at the Catholic University, on condition only that its degrees are not granted
except on evidence of such secular knowledge as shall seem to inde- pendent inspectors, deputed by the Government for that purpose, both sound and adequate. The idea of endowing the University in- directly by paying it " result-fees " for all students who, having been educated in its walls, afterwards take good degrees, will never satisfy the Roman Catholics, because it cannot and will not put the Catholic University on an equal footing with a richly- endowed institution like Trinity College, Dublin. The Govern- ment will have the hearty support of a large number of thorough- going Liberals, if they will but deal with this question in a manly and straightforward way.
Previous page
