Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-05-23
UNFOLDING PARNELL.
The st. Louis Land League Will
Stand by their Leader.
THE foPE's CIRCULAR CRITICISED.
The Land League Subscribes Very Literally
to the Parnel Fund - Opinions Of
Prominent lrishmen Expressed
on the Subject.

ST. Louis, May 22.-The papal circular
on Irish affairs has produced a profound
sensation in local Irish-American circles,
and it has stimulated the friends Of the
Irish national cause to renewed action, es-
pecially in augmenting the Parnell tesla.
monial fund. The hall of the Irish Ma
tional League, No. /, was crowded yester-
day afternoon with large audience OF the
friends of Ireland.
Prior to assembling the gentlemen pres
ent discussed the papal circular and con-
demned itseverely as an unjust siaterfsr-
ence in the political affairs of Ireland on
the part OF Pope Leo.
Mr.. Chas. O'Brien, who occupied the
chair, said he considered il OF the greatest
importance to give Mr.. Parnell
Their Wsrmest support.
and to protest against the interference, of
the question OF Irish rights, by the su-
preue pontitf of the Catholic church. He
thought Pope Leo acted inconsistent in de.
mandiDg that one section OF the Irish clergy
abstain from active participation in the
public affairs of Ireland, while portion OF
the bishops and clergy, who were thorough
-
speople, were permitted to exercise the
privilege Of condemning the Irish national
movement whenever they
Thought Il Proper.
at will, however" continued the speak.
er, prove a powerful agency in the pro.
motion OF Gladstone'S designs for the en-
SlavCment of Ireland; and | sincerely
believe the tribute Ireland pays TO Rome
ought TO be guarantee against that, for
Ireland, even in her poverty ani depreSs
ion, has done more for the spread OF the
Catholic faith and Christian civilization
than any Of the so-called great Catholic
countries of Europe. The number of Irish
priests, bishops and teachers scattered
over the world furnish the proof. In Eng.
and. in Australia, on the dark continent
Of Africa, in this great republic, there eX-
lists an
Irish Population
endowed with all the noble characteristics
OF the race that England has tried for cen.
luries to conquer, but has failed most mis-.
erably. Wherever you find a colony Of
Irishmen it is Catholic community. with
all the spiritual cXcellenCieS which distin-
cushed the Irish race from the earliest
ages Of Christian record. The world bears
anrle testimony to this. And yet Pope
Leo tells the Irish people that to subscribe
10 a fund to indemnify their chosen leader,
Charles Stewart Parnell, is calculated to
injure England. Let Ireland reply to
the papal circular by increasing the
amount from $50, 600 TO 100000 as a fitting
rebuke to unjust interference in the
Political Affairs of the Irish Nation.
In conclusion the speaker hoped that the
81. Louis Irish National League would
prove equal to the emergency by SubsCrib
ing literally to the fund.
Mr.. O'Nelll Ryan said that there had
never been people who suffered as much
or as long for any faith as had the Irish
for the Catholic. Centuries of suffering
atteSted their devotion, and now in their
struggle for a place among nations the
church they had upheld so gallantly should
not lend its assistance 10 their opprrsSOrs.
The Irisman could be Catholic and Ma.
tionaist. To love their God and the land
Of their nativity was not an lnconsist'
ency.
Planted Deep I'm Their Hearts
by that GCd was that lOve-a high, 4
holy feeling that could not be destroyed.
In Charles Stewart Parnell the Irish
people recognized their political leader.
lie il was who Should lead them from po-
.itcal bondage to civil liberty. They
would follow him to success, and incense
would yet ascend To the God OF thei! fore.
fathers burned on altars erected amidst a
nee and independent people. Loud ap-
plausc.l
DR.. 7. s OReilly does not believe in the
aimxture of religion and politics. Not
even papal letter can turn
Irishmen Away
from the cause OF their native land. The
nope is an Italian. II he were an Irish.
man he would never have issued tAa. allo-
Cution.
DR.. Thomas O'Reilly says that the pope
is either misinformed or has Overstepped
his functions as spiritual head OF the
church. The circular will. however, ce-
ment Protestant North aud Catholic South
II Ireland as nothing else has ever done.
Wbatevcr the outcome of this circular,
Dr. ORelly will not desist in his labors
in beha If Of the Parncl fund.