The Irish republic. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1867-18??, 1868-02-08

that as sy will give rs w and IS possible
The Cause of Ireland's Slavery to England
NO. II.
DUNKIRK, n " January 20th 1863.
To the Editors of The Irish Republic.
GENTLEMEN: Religion is an institution that exercises a
double function itself with the relations that
exist between and his Creator it also inerferes with
those subsistng between and his feowman But it is
be noticed that there gons than in our
world; and that, they all differ, from another they
produce corresponding variance and diversity in both of
the above relations Under these circumstances who will
deny the right in examine the subject of religion by
the light of his reason?
1t is not intention to exercise at present. this right in
its completeness. shall speak, indeed of the religion in
which myself brought up but not word shall
say of fundamentally working for the happiness of
in life to shall speak of it only agent
working good evil of merely temporal worldly
If any denies to the right do this gets of
Tended because exercise that right that but slave
and slave that would play the tyrant if he dare.
The hand of gave the Irish ne intellect
ua organization; but well organized mind do little
without cultivation for it is his bringing up that determines
mans position in m it it that for the part makes
him happy miserable Now, the bringing up which the
people Ireland have got is wholly the work of the Church,
completely has the Church monopozed that she alone
responsible for both and all its legitimate consequences
Her jealous has extended itself around the education
Ireland like wall of BRASS which outside influence has
been able penetrate. Even the British Government,
with all its and appliances has been utterly power
less in reaching through this barrier to the Irish mind
Now, it is perfectly clear to rejecting and impartial
world that the weakness and slavery of Ireland init
maey with this education and traceabe
Thus have chain of fact and reasoning consist
ing of three links First the Church; second Ireands
education and third reands weakness and slavery. Or,
many begin at the other end, and it backwards
First relands weakness and misery second her education
and third Irelands educator-the Church. But whatever
end begin these three links make the chain of the
of Irelands temporal mrtunes and they cemented
that the power of may be defed sever them by any
other than by liberal education free thought the
emancipation of reason and the unammeled investigation
every subject and topic of heaven earth that
the happiness of Numbers and cannot gie freedom
and prosperity long mind and soul are letters
and chains.
1t is somewhat singular that nation said to be educated
should at the time be pronounced to be buried in
gross Ignorance this last is the worlds verdict respect
ing Ireland Indeed the Irish themselves generally acqesce
in its JUSTICE and among the peasanry home it is not un
to hear EXPLANATIONS such "Ah what does
poor man know ?" "What poor ignorant man doY
people educated and ignorant at one and the same
time! Here is mysery-a mystery that ought to be- must
be, explained.
The Church. socous for the salvation of SOULS gave to
the Irish people, whom she took in charge centuries
education such she judged most promotve OF that eno
but in deadly hostility to the requirements OF mature IN
nearly all their variety. In the war thus 1nauguraeo
between Grace and Nature, the latter from time 10 ume
called in the aid of Reason and in cases. that OF Learning
But the Church gmazed both. She pronounced learning
"little" much, to be dangerous thing II pulled
people up she sad with PRIDE and pride she placed In the
catalogue of deadly sins AS reason, she said was
weak" and as guide in religious matters altogether
reliable whilst she only perfectly nfalbe in all she
said and taught The alliance was broken up, the allied