The Irish republic. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1867-18??, 1867-06-15


We have put ourselves inconvenience in to
insert the following communication entire. We have done So
not because agree in all its statements but because
wish have the subject fairly and feassy discussed and tn
truth ascertaned If correspondent asserts the Cath
Ollie clergy really the side of Fenansm and of the Ma
ona independence of Ireland there earth who
will rejoice at it more than ourselves. EDS l. r.
The Priests Position.
To the Editors Of The Irish Republic:
DEAR SIRs Often in latter days have the Irish priests
and ireland been accused of having renowned the rich in
heance of patriotism bequeathed them by their reverend
cestry in ages gone by wish say word, in anger
nor in hatery but in calm this subject that
premises may lead egitimaey conclusion expressing
the precise position and duty of the priest the present stru
gle for national resurrection.
single the priest from the host of other cergymen
Episcopal Presbyterian, Methodist Unitarian Baptist etc.
because the great majority of those deeply interested in
the freedom of Ireland Catholic Protestant; and
much disturbed like the needle between the repeant po
larities, when patriotism and religion to pull opposite
ends of the diameter of duty Moreover what write the
priest will be equally applicable to the Protestant clergyman
We must not expect all cergymen, Catholic
ant born in Ireland descended of Irish parentage be-
the present social providence in accord upon this ampor
tant subject of Irish regeneration Clergymen entitled
like members of other professions to the exercise of free
Judgments 1t does good force down their throas by
strong pthets and accusations opinions based solid
Take any other profession class in this country
in Ireland and observe how many of these differ toto colo
from those who claim be the only orthodox
of true national principles Have they right as men en-
dowed with intelligence and free WILL differ if their prac
cal conclusions rest what them iustifable
grounds Yet the merchant the lawyer and the physician are
not accused the Irish priests have been of being
the cause" individual priests, therefore, assert have
right to form their own opinions this upon every subject
with regard to which they have iae tribunal to guide
them and ought should they differ from the great
of their profession of the race to be there
fore made scapegoat the columns of the newspaper
the esteem of their congregations.
say ind0da5 priests because am that the great
body of Irish priests whether in Ireland America so far
from opposing, help in hundred only in the power
of cergymen to use effort for the liberation of their
faherand providing bears upon its face feature of SOL
idly probable And designate knave or fool any
person acting upon any other principle know the
priests especially the young priests of Ireland least have
had the opportunity of knowing them their opinions their
sympahies and their patriotic efor well if not better
than any ayman in these States have BEEN my a
val In this great country through the States of New York
Connecticut New Jersey, Vermont and Massachusetts, and
have here perhaps better opportunities of feeling the
pulse of clerical opinion the Irish Question: than most
aymen the fact therefore, the strength of my own
observation that neither here at home the Irish priest
hood enemies of any rational agitation struggle for land
of their love and of their birth.
What then the present position of Irish priests body
Counting them up in the morally universal which, for its
TRUTH requires EXCEPTIONS this question of Fenanism?
Do they condemn the Fenians No emphatcay no They
rshmen and such they love Ireland sincerely
passonaey those who shout loudly of aerand Do
they condemn the rank and file of Fenan attribute them
base aitoous selfish motives? Mo- They know the deep
wells in the Irish heart from which these fountains of patriot
ism and daring gush up they feel the springs of like instincts
and feelings in their souls they convinced of the
chvay the purity, the nobility of the motive any,
the unnatural child dapprove the conduct of his brothers
trying to sever and tear the corrodng chains that have