a deaf ear to the claims of the taxpayers who are illogically and unjustly deprived of the aid granted under this code. Therefore, as I said, the whole principles of public elementary education are again under discussion. I would gladly have seen this unavoidable discussion postponed for some years, during which education might have been extended on the former system until the clergy had practically recognised the claims of the Nonconformist minority in small parishes, and the Congregational Dissenters had been led, as I confidently believe they would, to admit the political interest and function of the State in the education of the people. A country which contemplates an extension of the franchise to the classes supported by manual labour commits a deliberate political suicide if it neglect the preparation of the people for their duties by a universal system of well-ordered elementary schools. The Revised Code has logically rendered one of three things inevitable—either some concession to Mr. Walter; or the adoption of a rating system, such as Sir J. Pakington appears to wish; or a reversion to a pure, unaided voluntary system, such as seemed to be regarded with complacency by Mr. Adderley."
It will be seen that Sir James deals with the school question here, as we should expect to find him dealing with it, in its political aspect, much as I said at the beginning of my speech the Civil Power of this country always has looked at it; but it is not the way in which the Church primarily looks at it. He regrets, as 1 had heard before, the controversy which the Committee of Council has forced upon us; but, unless I misinterpret him, he regrets it principally because he thinks it premature, and that it would have been politic to have waited a few years more, till the Church had got what is called more committed to the system. For my part, I am thankful that the move has come too quick for Sir James. I wish it had come even a little quicker. It would have saved the Church something. But it is not too late now.
Thirdly, when we come down to 1847, what do find the Committee of Council says in the correspondence with the Wesleyans?
