THE IRISH CHURCH DEBATE.

Grey River Argus, Volume VIII, Issue 537, 26 June 1869, Page 3

THE IRISH CHURCH DEBATE.

(From the Argus London Correspondent. ) London, April 23.

The Irish Church is still the chief topic of the day. The debate on the Bill was resumed last week, when, on two important divisions, the Government obtained a majority larger even than that which affirmed the second reading. In a succession of divisions they have since retained this advantage. The overwhelming numbers marshalled on the Ministerial side have driven the Conservative party almost to desperation. Prophets of evil multiply, and prognosticate with alarming vehemence the worst results, while mo: c ardent spirits rally to the cry of "No suirender." There will be a wearisome campaign in committee ; but the only hope now left to them is that the House of Lords may be persuaded by a vigorous agitation to interpose its power and postpone if it cannot defeat the measure. Mr Disraeli's leadership is not so secure as the crisis would seem to require. His speech of epigram and philosophy failed to satisfy Tory feeling, and was freely criticised, while the bolder utterances of Mr Gathorne Hardy fonnd a ready echo. As the nrst step towards further action, Mr Disraeli summoned his supporters at , the close of the recess to a private conference. Accordingly a hundred and fifty Conservative members — not more — gathered at Lord Lonsdale's house. It was noticed that Mr Newdegate did not attend, that honorable gentleman being bent on a resolute policy of his own. Lord Stanley was absent, for reasons not specified, but surmised. His conspicuous silence on this question, the most important of the session, had been made the subject of frequent remonstrance ; he was charged with preferring a "limited liability in statesmanship" and with muzzling his convictions for the sake of his party ; but at Glasgow, where he has been welcomed as the new lord rector, he has explained his position, taking almost the same ground as Sir Koundell Palmer in his view of the Irish Establishment, but admitting that it is hopeless to resist the decision given by the country at the recent elections. Some surprise has also been expressed that the minority as a body was not represented in greater force at this meeting ; but any deficiency in numbers, was male up by unanimity.