The Northwestern standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1885-1886, 1885-12-19
Archbishop Croke Makes a Patriotic Re
ply to an Address Of Wei
come.
A Clear And Concise Statement Why
Irish Priests Take Part in Pol

DoautIfui, out Tar 100 f1atCerlng ,aduTeSS
which has just been read. am pretty
we'll used to receive addresses, though
not from such bodies as yours, aud an
fairly puzzled, therefore, as to how, OF
in what terms, had better reply tc
the one now presented to me. It liter
ally loads me with concentration
There IS no good, suppose, in saying
that L do not deserve it,or, at all events
that I do not deserve it in the measure
in which it was given; for, were | tC
say this, you are too shrewd not &c
perceive at once, that l. was only doing
what is usual on similar occasions,
that is, affecting not to believe myself
something above the common, whereas,
in all probability, I would feel grossly
offended with any one who would not
take me TO DE SC. But, seriously gen
tlemen, you have been unduly kind 30
me in your address. Amongst a var
ieIy Of other exeelIencies for which /
get credit, you are pleased to say that
you recognize In me the strenuous ady0-
cate of Catholic claims in the matter OF
education, a laborious bishop and good
Erishman. In so far you dc me but
justice. [ was engaged in teaching,
during great portion of my early life,
and in many lands, and know, there
fore, from personal experience that it is
with states in this respect, as with in
dividuals. in so far, at all events, that
as well brought up youth will proba-
bly, be a good and useful citizen, SO a
state is likely to be fiourishing, respect
ed abroad and happy at home, i'll pro-
portion as education in the strict sense
Of the word is priced there or neglected.
Hence | am and always have been, for
the diffusion Of useful knowledge, for
the spread of good schools and for the
suitable recognition of them by the state
according to their public form and .eacn
ascertained results. AS ~ bishop,
have indeed, thank God, been fairly
uccessfl1l I do notspeak now OF the
ork done by me off at the Aantipodes,
= asorsslsfe and .selops priesthood and
an excellent Irish flock; but / refer
solely to the time, now moro than ten
years, since he came to Cashel Of the
Kings as head spiritual ruler, and dur
ing that period, it is my proud boast TO
be able to say, that Though entered ON
my duties there an utter stranger, with
out much Of name and absolutely
record, / have never since had
one hours trouble arising out OF my
relations, with my priests
or my varied relations with my pious
and patriotic flock. I can add that,
owing no doubt, to the thorough union
that existed and which still exists I'M
broken between our priests and people,
ser the promotion Of which | have al
ways str1ven, no outrage OF any moment,
ike that hideOuS one that occurred q
lew days ago in Kerry, or In an infin-
tely less aggravated shape have taken
place in the archdiocese Of Cashel.
What do politics mean? Politics now
simply mean hood and clothes and de-
cent houses for Irishmen and women
1t home; they mean the three great
corporal works Of mercy; they mean
he protection of the weak against the
strong, and the soil of Ireland for the
Irish rage rather than o select gang Of
strangers and spoliators. The preist,
therefore. who shrinkS from what is
allied political strife, and would suffer
Kings TO remain in Ireland as for cen
uries they have been, by the act de-
,laFes that he cares but little how bis
lock is fed, clothed or housed, and he
,refers an attitude Of inaetion, bring
ng with it the high approval Of the
privileged classes, TO one Of legitimate
and anxiety resulting in the
Uplifting and social Improvement Of his
,oor suffering flock. Hence, then, the
presence of priests and bishops in pol
tics, not, indeed, as a matter of choice, !
,at from necessity. | am. of course,
II Irishman. though | believe my
iame is Dutch, and you are pleased 10
hink am good one. The words. a /
GOD Irishnan, iIHpiy d good deal. |
N hat. for instance, do we mean when I
re say of a certain person that he is a
-ood and faithful friend2 We msan |
hat he has warm and sympathetic |
!eart, and that. when there is queS-I
ion of his friend, he is generous, rslia- /
lie and prepared to make sacrifice for
lis sake. IL is the same with the good I
rishman. He loves the green |
ields and mountains, the sparkling /
treams. the holy wells. the games the /
,astimes, the ancient ruins, and al the |
istorie and legendary lore of his na-i
i've land: his heart bieeds and his hand |
5 cienched On seeing, as he does, the |
est of Gods people in bondage, down |
D the dust under the heels Of their /
ereditaFy oppressors: he longs for the
ay when the spoilers hand will be Ia
en- from off his peoples throat and out |
f his peoples pocket; and there is no
rice he would not pay. even the cost /
/ bis life, TO bring back to his country /
of its pristine grandeur. and
cur into her lap al the chief elements |
{ plenty. In that sense I am a good
rlshnaE. Coming over here, as did. |