WELSH DISESTABLISHMENT.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."'
SIR,—I am one of many English Nonconformists who revolt at the policy of the Welsh Nonconformists as represented by their Parliamentary leaders. They have voted for Mr. Glad- stone's Irish measure in all its windings, and have not even scrupled to inflict eighty Irish non-representatives on the Parliament of what has hitherto been the United King. dom. By their votes they declare their belief that the measure was necessary, and will confer, if carried, signal benefit on Great Britain and Ireland. If ever a measure demanded support on its merits, or rejection on its de- merits, considering the vast number whose interests are vitally affected by it, this measure is one. The leaders now declare that its bearing on Ireland and Great Britain has had an entirely subordinate place in their view—it may benefit Ireland or ruin it, it may leave the Protestants of Ire- land, so largely Presbyterians like themselves, unhurt, or crush their liberty—it does not concern them. Let them get the Anglican Church disestablished by their support of the measure, and their one great reason for following Mr. Glad. stone will be secured. There is a well.understood bargain between them. Mr. Gladstone is the broker ; he gets their votes, and hopes thereby to succeed ; and they, in return, hope through him to have the Welsh Church disestablished. In plain words, they without a scruple sell their Irish brethren, and as the price, they obtain a measure which throws off an incubus under which they have long groaned.
No person who looks at certain facts can arrive at any other conclusion, They have been long grumbling and threatening, and now the party in South Wales has decided to throw off Mr. Gladstone, to support him no longer, if be does not give up his evasions, and in unequivocal words promise to give the first place after the Irish measure to their Disestablishment policy. It is hoped that North Wales will follow. Their secession in the present state of parties would be a fatal blow to the Government; and with its overthrow, Irish Home-rule, which they professed to support because a right and just measure, would at once come down with a crash, and with it much of the Newcastle programme besides.
I have long esteemed and loved the Welsh Nonconformists, and am grieved that they should pursue a policy so dishonest and dishonourable, which brings contempt on the Nonconformist cause throughout the Kingdom. I cannot but suppose that many who have no love for Church Establishments thoroughly sympathise with me. Even as policy, unprincipled policy, how unlikely is it to succeed ! Are the miners' eight-hours men, the Labour party, the Local Option party, and others, so devoted to Welsh Disestablishment—a very contentious and most difficult measure—as to be ready to allow it to go first, and block the way to the measures on which their hearts are set P It is pitiable to see Nonconformist papers applauding the Welsh- men. That high-principled paper, the British Weekly, is fore- most in cheering on the Welshmen in their dishonest course.--
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