The second day of the Conference was a little stupid,
but the third was extremely animated, the emotion rising at times to real passion. On that day Mr. Stitt, J.P., proposed the very strong resolution pledging the Nonconformists to vote for no Liberal who did not accept the tests laid down by this
Conference at the elections. On that day Mr. Richard recited at great length the historical grievances the Noncon- formists had suffered at the hands of the Whigs, and ended with an eloquent appeal to them to desert their party rather than yield a jot of their newly-found educational principles,—an appeal which wrought up the meeting to a sort of holy rapture. On that day, Mr. Rogers' assertion that if the Prime Minister would command Nonconformist confidence, he must turn Mr. Forster out of the Education Department and give him another office, was cheered by an enthusiastic audience, who rose to their feet in their enthusiasm ; and on that day they declared their intention to carry secular education in Scotland, against the Scotch vote if necessary, and in Ireland against the Irish vote. The principle of the Conference appears, in fact, to be quite identical with the celebrated proposal for Ireland, "secular education forced down at the point of the bayonet,"—the best apology yet suggested for Home Rule. There is no more reason why the Irish people should be permitted to have a Land Act they wish for, than an Education Act they wish for. It would be almost as wise to repeal the former out of mere English caprice, as to force on Ireland a thoroughly distasteful. Education Act prepared by Protestant Nonconformists.
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