The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-05-14

month. He has had this voyage TO our shores IN
contemplation for some time past-his neble, phi
ianhroplc spirit seeking to embrace both worlds in
the grasp of sympathies and love, as expansive as
humanity itself and it is believed that all his ar
engagements for this purpose have been now csm-
pleed. The arrival Of this great apostle of peace.
sobriey, and virtue, will be indeed most ausp-
clous event and the results OF his mission. at this
particular crisis, cannot tail prove eminently be-
neiical. Let ID briefly glance at the consequences
which may reasonably be anticipated to follow the
labors of Father Mathew in the United States.
The very first consideration which has presented
itself to our mind, in rejecting on this matter has
been the influence whichihis visit of Father Mathew
slikely to upon the conduct of his country
men in this land, and the feeling entertained to-
wards them distinct class, by many OF their
fellow citizens Of differcn, creeds and different
origin Indications as conclusive as melancholy,
have Of late presented themselves on all hands,
showing the alarming extent to which feelings Of
the bitterest luminosity toward the Irish, as class,
at present prevail The exhibition of prejudice
against the Irish is, indeed, no thing But
until very recently, it has been confined to the il
liberal and unenlightened portions Of the cOnmu-
nifty, and whenever it has manifested itself in a
grossly offensive manner, it has been promptly and
of the American people. Thus il this oitJ in the
disturbances of the spring of 1854, aud subsequent
ly, when the attempted organization of an Irish
volunteer company, under the designation of
"O'Connell Guards occasoned considerable
popular excitement, enlightened public opinion pre-
vented any serious outbreak and despite of the in
famous pursuedby several partzan prints who
endeavored to nname the pubic mind and stimu-
LATE he mi IN ufra~ nd
the city and the institutions Of the country pro-
tected from disgrace. But within the last two or
three years new and terrible spirit of dscord has
made its ppearance---wstch-wo of fearful
omen have been shouted aloud-religions bigotry,
with hideous and blood stained visage, is scatter.
ing re-brands far and wide, kindling, in many
quarters, into fierce and Kissing blaze the vest
passions of opposing sects.
Nothing is more painfully indicative of the les.
SEEMING influence of that liberal spirit and of those
god-like charities, which characterized the found.
Of this republic, than the eagerness with which
snch'watch-w as "No Popery :" Down with
the Papiss ~ are caught up and re-echoed by null
titudes of the people OF this country. Well, in
deed, may the intelligent friend OF the freedom
and tree institutions of the United States, feel
alarmed, when he thus witnesses the introduction
discord and ruin, which have in the old world SO
mpeded the progress Of humanity, and SO repeated
y converted Christendom into one wide field of
blood. And who are they who have thus lei ocsc
upon US evils Of such fearful magnitude, and
against whose introduction it had been supposed
that the sagacious patriotism of Washington and
his compeers, had interpos-d an eternal sale
guard! We can have no hesitation in answering
this question. On the heads of certain OF the
clergy of the Catholic and Protestant Churches,
aided and allotted by unprirciped political dena-
gogues, rests this terrible responsibility. The
Hushcscs and the Moriartys, the Browulees, and
the Kinks, aud the Cheevers, the McKeons and the
Ketchums--these have been the men who have
done this these have been the men whs have
o.indusrlously sown the seeds of ies ous fanati-
cism and sectarian hate-;iiese have been the un-
ha'Iowed Instruments f arrayrg in frairicdal hos
tty against each other, great masses OF The Cit
zens OF this country. Dare they deny 1t Dare
any of their misguided adherents deny il Ia
vain may the leaders Of either sect, charge upon
these of the other, the crime of being the Sole or
the first aggressors. We regard the clerical dema-
gogues both Of the Protestant and Catholic
churches as being equally cupable- they have alike
violated the preceps Of the master whom thew pre-
civil institutions under which they live, and whose
privileges and blessings we've designed to be, like
the dews of heaven, for al, men, Of whatever
creed, or lineage, or cline.
Such, then, is the crisis, at which priest, Ca
tholic priest, Irish Catholic priest comes 20 our
shores, the missionary of peace and good will
to al mcn-Of temperance, Of sobilety, OF social
aud individual virtue-not breathing forth anathe-
against rival creeds, not to seek renown IL the
noisy arena of poemical controversy-but to spread
the peaceful trumphs Of the Cross and in the true,
earnest, loving spirit of the great Apostle Of the
Gentilcs, MS displayed before the judgment seat,
when the soul Of Felix trembl-d within him. and
Agippl exclaimed" Almost thou persuadest me
to be Christian =" Coming at such time ANNA.
ted by such a spirit, preceded and attended by as
sociations commanding tie reverent esteem and
respect Of all men, are too sangulic in hoping
that Father Mathew may do much TO exiermnate
preudiccs, TO subdue aniilosties, to quench the
flames which bigotry and fsnat!cism have enkin-
died We do think that the mission Of this great
end good man. if aided, we trust and cannot
doubt It will be- by .hc p,ous and patriotic ct all
sects, may exercise most potent and peryadlng
influence for good, which will so fai TO countcract
the evils which the folly, the intolerance, the
seliishness Of those to whom we have already ad-
verted, have Produced. TIE harmonious union
Of citizens Of all creedy, in this great work Of mo-
raj reform, cannot fail to soften down scctarian
perities, and obtcrate, to Uncomfortable extent,
the prejudices and bigotrles which unprinc'ped
reckless, or designing demagogucs, clerical or poll.
tical, so readily turn to " their own base uses.'
Again, al the commencement OF an excited Pre-
sdcntill contest, and one which now threatens 10
be accompanied by scenes OF debauchcry, disslpa.
ton, and drunkenness, as dsgraceful as those
which gave to that Of 1910 so much infamy in the
eyes Of all ,iftuous and good citizens, we Cannot
refrain from The expression Of The highest sranlca-
ton at the expected visit OF the great A ,cstc of
Temp rance. The druuken saturnaiia at Bnlti-