The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-18
NEW YORK HERALD MONDAY MARCH 1s le72-rR1P1R SHEET

still rung out OF old through mere love OF ancient
USAGE although their ringing from Protestant tow
ers III lhe early morning has no meaning whatever,
for 1t invites TO no service or praye Aud yet In
the essential matter OF religion where antiquity IT
gave up the old iaith for the new while the Irish
In other things so regardless OF and
shed thelr blood Tor the old religion rather than
turn Tor one Instant TO the strange imp0sture OF the
new. But none or these purely natural explanations
can explain the supernatural fact that whole peo-
pie preferred FOR Ten generations, c0nscatt0n, exile
ana death, rather than SURRENDER their faith; and
the true reason lea In the al-mp0rtant circum-
STANCE tnat the religion OF the irish people was the
true relation OF Jesus Christ, bringing not only light
TO the Intelligence, but grace and strength TO The
heart and WIN OF the nation. The light Of their
OF Professionalism, in which they recognized an out
rage upon common sense and reason, as well as
upon God; and the grace OF their molly Catholic
religion enabled them TO suner die IN its defence.
Here 1t Ia mat we recognize The providence or God in
the preaching Of ST. Patrick. The new and false
teaching which he had engraved most deeply on the
mind and heart of Ireland, as II he had anticipated
the trial and prepared for IT. Attachment to the
Holy See was more than senliment-it was a pas
sion IN the irish bosom. through good report and
eyil report Ireland was always faithful to Peters
chair, and 1t Is curious tact that when the Chris
tan world Was confused oy the pretensons OF anti
Popes and all the nations or Christendom were, at
some false pretender Ireland, with instinct truly
supernatural never Jailed 10 discover, to proclaim
and 70 OBEY the true POn,ltf she Is
THE ONLY CATHOLIC NATION
that never was for moment, separated from Peter,
nor mistaken IN her allegiance to him. Her prayer,
her obedience, ner love, were the sure inheritance
Of each succeeding Pope, from Celestlne VINO sent
ST. Patrick to Ireland, to Plus, who, in our own
day, bekeld Patrick's children guarding his vener
able throne ana prepared 10 die in his glorious
cause. In every Catholic land union with Rome Is
principle. In Ireland 1t was devotion. And
30, when the evil genus OF Professionalism Stalked
through the land, ana with loud voice demanded OF
the Irish people separation from Rome or their
lives, the faithful people OF Goo consented to die
rather than TO renOu0ce the latin Of their fathers
transmitted to them through the saints.
Now, say that, in all this we see the providence or
God In the labor OF lrelands glorious apostle. Who
can deny that the religion which st. Patrick gave
to Ireland Is OWNER thousand years OF sanctlty
attest 1t; 800 years Of marLyrdOm attest 1t. III men
Will deny the virtues which 1t Creates the fOrtftude
which u inspires, let them look TO the history Of
Ireland. II men say that the Catholic religion
oarishes only because OF Inc splendor OF ITS cere
mOnial, the grandeur OF its liturgy and its appeal
TO the senses, let them look 10 the history VI Ire
land. What sustained the faith when Church and
altar disappearedS when no light burned no organ
pealed, but all was des0latlOn for centuriesf