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In the same correspondence, some words of the present prime minister, Earl Russell, are quoted from the report of his speech in the House of Commons:—
"In his speech on Monday the 19th instant (April 23, 1847,) Lord John is reported to have said, that 'he regarded it as a great hardship that the managers of Church schools should make it a condition of admitting children to their schools that the children should learn the catechism, and be made to attend the Church on Sundays.'"
"He is further reported to have said that 'so much did he disapprove of such a regulation being enforced, that he should consider its existence in a place, as a special ground for a grant to other parties than the managers of Chuch schools, in order to meet what he regards as so great an evil.'"
The House will see that there is not only no trace in Sir J. K. Shuttleworth's letter of any either actual or contemplated interference with Church schools by way of a "Conscience Clause," but that the opposite principle is carefully affirmed. There is no trace, again, in Earl Russell's speech, of any idea of forcing children not of the Church of England into a Parish School, but only of what is just and equitable, viz.: that if Dissenters in a place should be dissatisfied, and should desire to be enabled by assistance from the State to have a school of their own wherein to teach their own children according to their own principles; they would, in Earl Russell's opinion, have a claim upon the body charged with the administration of the "Education Grant."
I published the correspondence, and preserved it. I am glad 1 did so. You see it comes out useful.
