The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-27

The Home Government Association-How It il
Regarded Probable Failurs-The Clergy
Opposed to TIA Movement in Pros
pect-An Irish Government for
' tAf EiA People,
DUBLIN. MAY q. 1871,


The Home Government association has now been
in existence for nearly twelve months and wish to
lay before yoSr readers the progress it has made.
With everything In It's favor fear that 1t will he i'm
possible for me to say that it has been success or
that 1t has the confidence of the Irish people. Men
OF oil classes II Is true have enlisted themselves in
its ranks, put their number Is 80 small that 1t can
scarcely be said TO be iraccn Of the number that
was anticipated would take their stand under the
banner OF federalism. 1t is, TOO supported by the
FIRST TALENT IN THE COUNTRY;
by such men as MIR. Butt Q. c.; Dean O'Brien, of
limerick; Mr. O'Neil Daunt, Mr.. John Martin, M. p.
Mr.. Shaw, NJ. p; Mr. A. NJ Sullivan, the Rev. Mr..
Q'AaIey and others q srs.t AGILITY and influence.
1t does not however, receive much support from
the press and for this reason the nationalist, on
the whole, do not give much countenance to
federalism, they being in
FAVOR OF COMPLETE SEPARATION;
while the pill appears to be strong for the liberals,
or the followers Of Mr.. Gladstone, who take no
notice Of the movement whatever SO between
these two extremes the federasts left to shift,
as pest they can, for themselves OF course the
servatives, unless few isolated individuals among
them, are opposed on principle to the movement;
nothing can possibly induce what Mr.. Br light once
happily called the 'stupid party to listen to any
proposals for the restoration OF the Irish Parliament
The association somc six or eight months ago made
q spasmodic effort to enlist oil classes OF Irsnmen
under Its banner, but 1t only partially
ful. Theleadcrs OF the people, from some reason or
other,
KEEP ALooF FROM IT,
even such OF them as are In favor Of home rule.
There orc for example, not more than three members
OF Parliament connected with the association, and
the number Of priests Is very small. Now when the
priests ana the Parliamentary representatives In
Ireland keep aioof from any movement, however
popular, II cannot he attended with success. How
aton ,n"T NAV feel inclined TO Question this
statement, there can be no doubt that the priests
have NJ s 8 me q
coed; and, on the other hand, whatever question
they have taken up has seldom or ever failed they
they II am correctly informed, mean to DO SO, and
for their non-support OF the movement
VARIOUS CAUSES ARE ALLEGED.
Some say that IL IL due TO che influence OF Cardinal
Cullen; but this do not believe. His own priests,
in case he were hostile TO the movement, might keep
away, but It is quite beyond his power, on such q
question. to control the priesthood OF Ireland par
icularly when we have one OF his bishops writing
gard our subsection to England as national bless.
ing; but l am convinced tho masses OF our race,
whether az home or abroad, believe and feel
DIRECTLY THE REVERSE
believe it is not the feeling OF the Irish bishops
OF cit either priests or people in Limerick. and am
beyond all sure 1t never was and never shall be the
feeling OF the present BsnOp Oh LIMERICK" announcer
Bishop, the Bishop OF Ross, writes :"That unity OF
action which the PROSTATE state OF poor country
SO much needs cannot in my belief, be secured put
only principle that can bring salvation to Ireland"
with these two extracts from the writings OF two
distinguished Roman Catholic prclates every one
acquainted with the real state OF Ireland must agree
But holding these views, and believing that home
government would be such
A BOON To IRELAND,
why do they not urge their priests ana people to
join the movement specially organized to obtain It
opinion Is that neither the priests nor bishops had
ton; the natlonallsts had then come to the resou.
ton OF no longer allowing the priests to take part in
Irish politics; the founders OF the federal movement
were mostly recent adherens to the national cause,
and many Of then had been distinguished for their
Orange procivities; SO that the clergy thought lt
best to remain at home, and at nome they have re
NAMED to this day. hope may be mistaken. but
/ believe tnat the irish Catholic priesthood
will never Join In the present home rule movement.
When writing on th'squestl0n last thought 1t might
have peen a success, as the federalists, both in
town and country were extremity active, and their
movements were noticed &C great length In the
they appear to have gone out OF sight altogether.
have heard lately that IN q year or two, when
things become little more settled. and afew press.
ing questions disposed Of the great liberal party
here comprising the bishops and clergy, the liberal
members OF Parliament and the middle class--the
merchants, farmers and shopkeepers.wlil petition
THEIR PETITION BE NOT FAvoRABLY
received an agitation will be commenced forthwith.
they be really sincere their determination to OBJ
tain native Legislature they Will have little diff
Gully In sinking petty diflerences and graspng the
with tEs most :.cmentous consequences 70 the peo-
ne o( this country, @tn---. - :-s..4-s-a. 90
OUGHT 70 ROUSE THE ENEReIRa
Of every Irishmen, because y is now admitted on all
hands that the restoration Of our native Parliament
can alone bring prosperity and content to the Irish
people,