The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-16
FATHER n,NEIII..

FATHER ONEILL.
The Journal has no disposition to lay
straw in the way of the Bishop Of Vincennes,
for whose scholarship and ability as an admin
istrator we entertain and have frequently ex
pressed the highest regard. Nor do we think
it the duty or privilege of a secular newspaper
to heedlessly or improperly interfere with the
workings of church machinery. But the case
of Father O'Neill seems to demand consider
alton, and will surely challenge atten-
ton. A day or two ago, when
tho rumors Of the Fathers probable
retirement became public, coupled with the
statement that the step was to be traced to the
fact that, as agent Of a majority of his congre
cation, he had been the bearer of cane voted
by them to Hon. James G.. Blaine, Journal
reporter went directly to the Bishops house,
and, as a result of inquiry, published the STATE
ment that ''the withdrawal Of Rec, Hugh
ONeill from the pastorship Ct st. Patricks
parish was contemplated for some time prior
to th- journey he took East, bearing
the gold-headed cane to James G.
Blaine, and that episode had nothing
whatever to do with it, IL view of the
publication made in the Journal this morning
and of the feelings and expressed opinion of a
large number of Catholics who feel that injus
tice has been done to liberty of thought, and
Of speech, and of action, this statement, COM
ing from the Bishops household, must suffer
in the estimation of those who properly es
of Vicar general Bessonies to Father O'Neill,
and of the statement by the father of his
relations with the bishop, and in view of the
further fact that no intimation ever came to
priest or parish of intended removal until after
the Blaine cane episode it can not be denied
however plausible the explanation may be-
that Father ONeill is made an example of be-
cause he did not '1eave politics to the poll
ticians," as Vicar-general Bessonies puts it.
Il has not been understood, hitherto,
that the Catholic Church has been
so conscientiously abstemious from ''politics."
Indeed, the recent plenary council, at Balti
more, was led to deplore the fact, as other
high minded. clear-headed Catholic dignita-
ries have deplored it, that whether justly or
not, the Catholic Church has been understood
to be hand-in-glove with the Democratic
party. When the Catholic authorities of this
city permitted the paupers from the home of
the Little Sisters of the Poor to DO
marched to the polls, and voted as so many
cattle for the Democratic ticket, it can
scarcely be truly said that they left politics
to the politicians" as Father Bessonies
thought the right reverend bishop would like
Father O'Neill to do. 1t is only last year that
there was such remarkable zeal manifested s'to
leave politics to the politicians when it was
discovered that very large numbers of Irish
Catholics were breaking away from their
allegiance to the Democratic party and
proposed to support Blaine and Logan. When
this was found to be the case, there was great
ALARM both in the Democratic party and in
certain high Catholic circles but thousands
OF Catholic Democrats, nevertheless, main
tanned their manhood, and voted their honest
sentiments as expressed in the Republican
platform and candidates. There may, posi-
bly, be good reasons why Father O'Neill should
be removed, but, on the surface, they
do not appear, except as revealed through the
letter of Father Bessonies. Surely the action
| of the congregation of st. Patricks does not
| supply the reason for his withdrawal and the
emphatic expression of the resolutions compels
us to believe that the Catholics themselves
understand their priest to have been visited
with discipline because of his political ac-
ton. Bishop Chatard will find that his
scepter, powerful as it is. is not strong
enough to sway the consciences of men. He
viii find that the devotion of his people, deep
and devout as IL certainly is, is not 80 un-