New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-05-30
IRELAND AND ENGLAND.

her hardy children and those of the mountain
districts of Scotland have chiefly been gathered
those stalwart soldiers who have borne her ban
ners through the toughest tempests' and even
out of the incapacity Of her generals plucked
success. As the majority Of these soldiers are
Roman Catholics, who are ruled both politically
and potentially by their priesthood, 1t may not
be unintsresting at the present juncture oil
European affairs to review the relative position
of The Irish priesthood and English Government
This priesthood may be ranged into three
clssses-those who sustain the English Govern
ment in ireland, those who are neutral, and
those who are decidedly opposed 10 rule they
submit TO Only as a necessity, which they would
throw off even by armed insurrection if they
could be brought to see a reasonable hope OF It's
success.
The first class embraces the great majority of
the Irish hierarchy and senior clergy. At It's
head stands Dr. Cullen the Archbishop of Dub
lin. pet of the Pope, who set aside the selec-
ton of the clergy aud dispatched him from the
Vatican with the dignity of Legate to take
charge of his Irish subjects. In his religious
opinions DR.. Cullen is of the ultramontane
school. in his political Of the Austrian Having
been at Rome during the last Revolution and
fight of Pic Mono, his mind has become embit-
tered even against reforms of every hue, ana no
prefers national dependence with religious
slavery 10 national independence with its usual
concomitant, freedom of thought He is, how
ever a goodly, kindly man, of meek manner ana
so sincere in his convictions that, Whatever pref
erences he may exhibit for English law and or
der. are attributed by the great majority OF the
priesthood TO love of pety and peace. If he
has stilled the hitherto turbulent waters oil
clerical agitation it is placed to the credit OF
his desire 10 establish harmony and promote the
interests Of the Church. The Archbishop OF
Armagh, DIR. Dixon, is retiring, unassumlng,
pliant prelate, whose views are easily nodded
into whatever shape the Roman Legate may de-
sire 70 fashion them The Archbishop Of Cashel,
DIR. Sattery is also of this party, making three
out Of the four Archbishops in favor of the pres
emit order of things; aud to their standard the
great body of the senior clergy adhere. The
neutrals comprise few good easy men, found
in every clsss, who as long as they possess
vherewith TO eat and drink and sleep, prefer to
bear the ills they have, rather than fly to others
that they know not of.
At the head Of that section opposed to Brit
ish rule stands DR.. Mcilale, the Archbishop OF
Tuam, supported by few Western Bishops and
strong body of young, raw racy curates, full
Of enthusiasm, who are the ZOuayes of the Irish
priesthood. If led, they are ready to rush at
anv danger; and to their leader, hitherto DR..
McHale, they have always looked with difference
and devotion Strong, arrogant and tyranncal
in his will, there was a rough Irish love and deep
English hate about him which seized upon the
rational heart, aud until recently he exercised
the largest control over politics Of any Of the
Irish prelates But some late movements at the
Vatican have shorn him of much Of his influence.
The spurious support lent by the Roman Cath
Ollie priesthood to liberal opinions in Ireland
has been for long time subject Of uneasiness
at Rome, and was only permitted as necessity
But finding in the revolutions Of Ia that they
could not regulate to their purpose the passions
they evoked, the priesthood have fallen back on
the old policy Of governing through the closet in
stead of the platform. An order has been issued
virtually interdicting the Roman Catholic priests
from interfering at elections; and though strong
influence is brought to bear, and Mr.. Lucas, who
NAV be considered the leader of the Roman
Catholic party in the House Of Commons, has
proceeded to Rome to obtain a reversal Of this
decision. there is little doubt that the remOn-
STRANGE party will prevail and Irish politics as
sumo more of Catholic and less ola national tone.
The real Irish priest the shaggy native breed of
the country, is fast giving way TO the smooth,
sleek Italian. The establishment of the new
Irish University, which is placed almost wholly
under the control Of the English converts from
Oxford and their superior learning and accom-
plishments. must still more hasten this change
and give its tone to the mind of the Irish priest
hood. And the priesthood stand at the gate
way of the peoples heart. No one can enter
without their permission. This power has been
in this instance well purchased under perse-
oution and privation. For centuries the pea
SAINT has known no friend but the priest. 10 the
landlord he found peculation, in the law tyranny,
in the Government foe. But in his darkest /,
hours Of difficulty the priest was by his side.
Nor is there a village churck-yard in Ireland
which holds the victims Of the famine, IN which
a small cross does not marx the grave Of some
Young priest. who in death in life was with
hi. people. The heart Of the people, If sounded,
is doubtless true. But they are ignorant, i'm
pulsiye and easily led, and from long habit take
their politics, as they DO their prayers, from the
Roman mssal.
ID L. IL. ha 4