The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-02-01
Priests in Irish Politics.
J. J. C.

The annexed letter, from Mr.. A. NJ.
Sulliven, editor of the Dublin Nation, sp-
pears in a recent number of the New York
Herald:
NATION OFFICE, DUBLIN, Dec. 90, 1873.
To the Editor of tho Herald.
Yonr special Commissioner, who recently
visited Ireland to investigate and report to
you upon the Home Rule question, while
necessarily condensing his account of a
rather protracted interview with me, has,
unintentionally, conveyed inaccurately tho
substance of one portion of our conversa-
ton. I allude to that which dealt with
the past and present position and influence
of the Catholic clergy in Irish politics.
His que stions were very searchingly dir
ected, and pressed as to the idea very pre-
valent in England-that the Catholic clergy
exercised a despotic power over their hocks
in political affairs, compelling them, by
spiritual influence, to vote in blind and
unreasoning submission to the dictates of
the fact the Catholic clergy undoubtedly
were followed with unquestioning obe-
dience and undoubting adherence in all
our past political struggles, and were in
fact, our only leaders, visible or actual, had
given rise, no doubt, to this idea. But
the loyalty of discipline, the trust Of we'll
proved confidence and affection, and the
obedience of free will, and not the blind
submission of slaves. explained by
reference to the penal times (many of the
effects of which still survive) how it came
to pass that our clergy were absolutely
necessitated to discharge for us these on
erous functions of political leadership, and
1 alluded to the many public declarations
on their part that once the Irish voter was
free las he is made now by the ballot), they
would, as far as regarded such exclusive
leadership, voluntarily quit the scene.
Your Commissioner asked what force
there was in the allegation or apprehen-
sion that, if we had Home Rule, the Cath
Ollie clergy would dominate our Parliament.
1 was able to point to the fact-made plain
in several of our recent elections-that, in
matters purely political, the Irish electors
were now able to act for themselves, and
that even the most Catholic constituencies
in Ireland exercised, independently, their
own Judgment in these matters, in one or
two instances stoutly and resolutely con-
testing elections with their old time lead
reply to questions as to the action of the
Catholic clergy in recent elections, 1 re-
ferred to Kerry, where they almost unani-
mousIy supported the national candidate,
though Protestant to Longford, where
they as unanimously and most bitterly OPP
posed Mr.. Martin and to Meath, where,
though not on the national side for that
time, they acted fairly and honorably.
Finally, expressed my conviction that,
although the Influence of the Catholic cler-
gy in Ireland is sure to be always power
full, and certain, on the whole, to be In
accord with the popular feeling, yet the
day is gone when they could exercise, OF
would wish to exercise, the sort of leader
ship which peculiar circumstances, in by
gone times, had forced upon them. The
people are now educated I; as voters, they
are now free. They will use that education
and freedom manfully, intelligently and
independently. But they will always
gratefully remember the leaders, but for
whose heroism and fidelity they would
not now possess either school or franchise.
ought to apologize for this treepass on
your space with matter somewhat per-
sonal. Let me, however, add q word to
thank you, on behalf of my countrymen,
for the tribute you have paid to the i'm
portance of their national movement by
specially commissioning a gentleman who
ills high place in British literature, to
prosecute an impartial and independent
investigation into the history, character
and prospects of the Irish national ques-
ton. remain, sir, yours faithfully.
ALEXANDER M. SULLIVAN.
PSI would ask any journals which
may have quoted the conmunications of
your Commissioner, to which refer, to
do me the favor Of quoting this note