The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-10-25

AN ENGLISH OPINION OF THE LIBERAroR.


small town of Cahirciveen, in Kerry, Gov
ers one of the most eventful centuries in
the chequered history of that kingdom
Since the days of the national apostle
scarcely any other man has impressed his
| name ana his deeds so largely on the his.
tory Of Ireland, or so deeply In the hearts
| of it's people. Many as have been the great
names of ireland we find amongst them
but one O'Connell. Inferior to many OF
his brilliant compstriots in various gifts
and graces, he transcended them all in the
deeds that he achieved and in the blessings
that he secured for his country--blessings
embodied in the affectionate title univer-
sally accorded to him by grateful nation
The Liberator.
To understand what O'Connell effected,
We must study thoroughly the condition of
Catholics-not only in Ireland, but also in
England and Scotland-at his birth in Tvs,
and contrast it with their present condition.
because although O'Connell died in lS47,
twenty seven years ago, no single material
concession has been made within that
period that is more than an extension of
instruments of justice obtained by the great
Irish Tribune, or, at most, than the reali-
cation of principles of reform, the recogni-
tion of which he had long enforced. The
overthrow of the Established Church, in
1869, was virtually carried forty years ago
by O'Connell, when the Episcopal Bench
was reduced in numbers IS per cent were
deducted from the Tithes, and the remain
der converted int Rent Charge. The
abolition of offensive official oaths, and
the admission of Catholics to the Lord
Chancellorship and other positions from
which they were excluded, are only extern
sions of the Emancipation Act, carried, in
1929, by O'Connell. The recent gradual
expansions of the principle of Local Gov
eminent, under various forms, is only
development of the Municipal Reform Act,
carried in 1910 by O'Connell, who, under
it, was the first Catholic Lord Mayor of
Dublin for more than two centuries. The
extension of the franchise, the reform of
the Parliamentary representation, and the
The corruption of the patronage system,
by which Catholics were to great extent
excluded from the civil and the public SER
vice, found an uncompromising foe in
O'Connell, who lived to see competitive
examinations introduced, and purchase in
the army abolished. The monopoly and
Jobbing under the grand jury system and
the packing of juries received their most
exposure from him, although he |
was not spared to see the passing of Lord
O'Hagan's Act. The unjust, cruel, and |
barbarous Land Code was the theme |
mands are met in Mr.. Gladstone's Act Of
1870. From his appearance in public life, |
to the hour of his death, freedom of Edu-
cation found in O'Connell its Oldest, great
est, lay advocate. From his scathing de-
nunciation of the Charter Schools and the |
kildare Place Society's scheme in 1924, to
bis powerful opposition to the Queens
Colleges in 1e45, he never ceased to battle
for the rights of Catholics and the lust
claims of the Church in the education of
She people. But, important as are all of
these, the supreme question, next to that
close of his life was the legislative indie
pendence of Ireland. Thoroughly loyal,
and sincerely devoted, whether through
or from policy need not be dis
cussed, to cordial union between Ireland
and Great Britain, o'Connell confidently
On that union by repeal of the Act of
1900, but the intense and glowing agitation,
which he excited was deadened by the
famine in 1945 46, stamped out by his |
death in 1s47, end rendered ridiculous by
the abortive instruction Of IS4s. 4
Throughout O'Connell's whole career he
lncuicated two great lessons as the secret
OF his success-the union of the clergy and
laity, in every demand made by the peo-
pie and the use of moral force alone, as
the means of obtaining popular rights
rather, perhaps, single lesson than two
the Church nor the clergy has any right
TO interfere in political affairs, or ini1u-
ance political opinion, was then unknown
IN Ireland. The alien to the Church and
The Irish race, orthe adventurer, hRd not
IN those days the termerity to eli i'm the
political Leadership of the Catholic masses,
Dr. to tell them to relegate their Bishops
and their clergy to the sanctuary, as the
worst guides and councillors in political
md public matters. Of this new and het-
.rodox teaching we see some of the pain
al fruits in the results of the late general
election in a few constituencies, which we
iced not particularize.
Ii the coming centenary of O'Connell
we're productive of no other good than re-
falling to the whole of the Irish race, at !
home and abroad, his life and lessons in :
hese respects, its celebration would be of
profound Importance, and it's moral and
'olltical benefits incalculable Ireland is
It this moment passing through transit
ion stage of deep interest. The small
lement which represents revolution and
he physical force theory is being elimin- 1
TED or discredited by the sound sense of I
he country; but new danger has sprung I
p in a small band of political adventurers, t
J no have attempted to destroy the influence q
fh6a oil