§ Mr. Wysepresented Petitions from Carrick-on-Suir and several other places, against further grants to the Kildare-street Society. The petitioners complained of the dissensions caused by the Society and its schools, and represented the Society, as connected with proselytizing societies in Ireland.
An Hon. Memberassured the House, that the Society was not connected with any proselytizing society whatever.
Mr. O'Connellbegged the hon. Member to read the evidence taken before the Commissioners for Education, when he would be convinced, that persons had connected themselves with this Society, with a view of proselytizing, as well as promoting education.
§ Mr. Lefroyundertook most positively to declare, that the Kildare-street Society was not connected with any proselytizing society, and that not a farthing of its funds had ever been applied for such purposes.
§ Mr. Wysesaid, that the evidence before the Commissioners for Education, established the fact, that the Kildare-street Society was connected with the Society for the Suppression of Vice. He would never agree to any other than a national system of education, which would unite all sects, and tend to remove religious animosities; it was absurd to expect this result from the Society at present before them.
An Hon. Membersaid, the Kildare-street Society gave no assistance to schools which were connected with any other society. It had formerly afforded assistance to such schools, but objections having been raised to this appropriation of its funds, it had been discontinued.
Mr. O'Connellsaid, the members of the Kildare-street Society winked at, if they did not entirely shut their eyes to, the fact of schools being connected with other societies which derived aid from their funds.
Mr. Robert Gordonhoped the time would soon come, when all grants would be withheld, whether intended for the Kildare-street Society, Maynooth College, or the Society for the Suppression of Vice.
Lord Achesonwas of opinion, that if hon. Members wished to see Catholics and Protestants dwell together in harmony, they could not do better than support the Kildare-street Society.
§ Petitions to lie on the Table, and to be printed.