The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-02-27
Grant and the Catholics.


WHAT THE GERMAN ULTRAMoNTANE
JOURNAL sAYs-aRANT's INTERVIEW
WITH THE POPE.
The Gesman,a, the leading Catholic
journal Of Germany, for January %, CON
tains o short notice Of Grants visit to Ire
land, in which the course OF the Cork
Town Council in refusing to give him pub
lie reception is thus referredto:
Had Gen. Grant carried out his original
plan of embarkiDg at Queenstown he would
have gone on to Cork. But he was forced ia
abandon his visit to that city, because il
would have absorbed more time than he
could spare. But the report that he was
likely to 60 there led to strange scene in
Cork. The Municipal Council deliberated
upon the question whether they should offer
the General a public reception. Violent
speeches were made, In which he was de.
nounced as man who had always shown
himself an enemy Of Catholicism and Of the
Irish race-a charge which displays the
most complete ignorance Of Grants career.
When he was at Rome Cardinal McCloskey
presented the General to the Holy Father,
and mentioned that the Church was indebt-
ed to him for many kind actions, both while
he held the supreme command Of the army
and while he was President. Leo XIII
thanked the General. And upon Grants
protesting that he had simply treated Cath
olics on the same footing as the adherents Of
other religious persuasions, as became the
Chief Magistrate of State, in which all re-
lieions enjoy the most complete equality. the
Pope subioined that even this equitable and
impartial demeanor was favor in these
days. Grant, even while abstaiuing from
prosecuting the Church, might have placed
hindrances in her way all that she needs is
freedom for her mission. 1t may be fur
Their remarked that Sherman and Sheridan
are the two military pcrsonages who most
share Grants frien dshlp and confidence. All
the connections Of the former general are
Catholics; bis son has become Jesuit, his
wife is leading parsonage In the Catholic
society Of the United States. Sheridan is a
Catholic. His father was an Irish emigrant
from Tipperary. When Grant was at the
head Ct the army, he treated him with es-
pecial favor, aud when he became President
he conferred upon Sheridan, although at the
time only thirty six years Of age, the Sec
ond post In the military organization Of the
United States.
Moreover, President Grant offered two
most important posts in his Cabinet-the
Ministry of Finance and the Secretaryship
of the Navy-to tive Irishmen, both named
Stewart. He also appointed to one Of the
most valuable posts at his disposition-the
Collectorship Of Customs for the port Of
New York-an Irishman, born at Mullingar,
in the very centre OF the Island, Mr.. MUIR
ply, a good Catholic. Grants religious
convictions are not specially pronounced.
He may be said to occupy negative posi-
ton in the matter. But what has been mem
toned is quite sufficient to show that it is
unjust to stigmatize him as an enemy o.
Catholicism and OF the Irish race. It Il
also worth observing that his chief denoun'
GERS at Cork, are suspected Of approximate
ing to that Fenianism which the Irish bish
ops have always so loudly condemned, and
that they have not themselves been conspic
uous in any way for Catholic demeanor o.
submissiveness, or zeal for the interests o.
| the church.