, 1864-03-20

|
Fo5 the chicqso Tribune:
we have been carefully reading the report
OF the interview between Bishou Dnepan
ard delegation Of the Fenian Brotherhood
! OF Chicago and We must confess that It indi-
cates great change in the usual proceedings
occupy the inquisatorial chair, aud for 9th
crs to ansWer questions; but In this case ths
proceedings we're entirely changed. ana the
committee asked the questions 70 me it is
now matter Of no surprise that so many
| quo quo aajes have been pronounced upon intel
der the, inquisitorial thumb-screW. as did
the reverend Bishop under the, etraishtfor-
! ward and honest questioning Of the Feuians.
The ground upon which the Rev. Bishop
places himself in opposition to. the FenIans
is;that they are secret society and as such
but to attain this ground for stand point
he decided the question as to the Feuians BE-
ing secret society by saying "a cQItdra. nI
4 I'm the ,1 inage whether you are secret aocle-
And despite the reservations Of the Fcnl-
ans that they had neither secret oaths, grips.
signs or passwords, the Bishop sturdilv I'd.
hered to his opinion It Is certainly humilI-
atfng to see gentleman of Bishop Dugpun's
standing put himself In such an equiTocal
position First, to claim the right alone to
judge then give an opinion predicated upon
when the errors of that view arc. plainIT
pointed out, shown and explained. etiii
refuse to do Justice, but obstInately TO-
cling to the views he first embraced.
The very Rev. Bishop says, '.The Fenians
says u an tae judge whether you they are
secret society,"" Now, to the parties i'm
medtately engaged Ia this controversy, this
may be the end Of ali argument, but fortu-
nately such opinions, 50 1t variance with the
free exercise OF individual rights, and SO de-
structive to individual thought and action.
are not binding upon those who are outside
the pale that hedges the ground upon which |
the Rev. Bishop stands. We are not FenI-
an, and are not In favor Of secret societies,
but we arc free to acknowledge to q warm |
lion. For ourselves, we believe that the Fe- |
mans are not secret society; the testimony
Of such gentlemen who waited upon Bishop |
Duggan muEt be conclusive to any mind ex-
eept such as have already through prejudice
pre}ndged the case: -.
marks the opinion of Bishop Duggan, is Of a
character that demands Investigation. It is
suggestive Of worse results to this couutrg
than every secret society In 1t combined. IT
we may judge Of the evils those societies
will do, by what they have already done.
such magnificent body Of men as those
that paIaded our streets on st. Patrick's Day,
1t furnished food for grave thought to
every American freeman, particularly a. In
the opinlnion Of the Bishop .'this Is loosely
constructed Government" The state Of
cise Of Prelatical authority over our citizens
In temporal and spiritual matters would
strike at the foundation Of all civil liberty. !
One thing is certain, ou1s wonld soon cease
to be ia loosely constructed Government"
II the opinions expressed to the Fenian Com
ET-P =
into practical operation. It the spiritual
pastor Of the Catholic Church Is to direct the
temporal and political action Of the followers
Of Its faith, there Is the end Of all her Govern
ment, since such control destroys all indi-
yidual freedom Of thought and action. =;
If the Bishop can decide better than the
members Of any society, whether: they con-
stitute secret one or not, can he not also
decide better than any members Of his flock,
who that member should rote for In an cleo
tione Is not the Bishop the best judge as
to the fitness Of a man for an oftice? Would
be be as likely to be imposed upon by design
Ing politicians as the man who drives dray
Or loads grnins Thf5 cannot be denied; and
The Bishop evidently thinks SO himself; at
least he treats the Fenians as though he
thought Sd -
NV. would It t not greatly simplify al the
'tructed government to do away with aIl
elections and let the Papal Hierarchy appoint
such men to rule over Us as they k;og to be
lifted for the position! It Wou1d save
Catholic voters the trouble Of thinking; poor
men the loss ofa day at the polls, and great
Zeal Of money to-. candidates. It would
quelch the Fenian brotherhood, add new
iEets to the chains, forged by English mis-
uler which for centuries have been slowly
'ating into the limbs Of Ireland; and add uev
egaAfy to those British expressions which
laSe SO cursed one of the fairest spots Of
iod's earth. that Its peasantry, such as could,
lave fed into exile, or remaining, have vel
omed death By famine and pestilence, as an
sylum from them. Nh