The Northwestern standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1885-1886, 1885-12-19

IldG 4 uO llOt uOS0ifc IL AL OiAC AAoe1oNAO
in which it was given; for, were 4 to
say this, you are too shrewd not to
perceive at once, that I was only doing
what is usual on similar occasions,
that is, affecting not to believe myself
something above the common, whereas,
in all probability, Il would feel grossly
offended with any one who would not
take me to be Sc. But, seriously gen
tlemen, you have been unduly kind to
me in your address. Amongst a var
iety Of other exeellencies for v hich 4
get credit, you are pleased to say that
you recognize in me the strenuo JUS advo-
cate of Catholic claims in the matter Of
education, a laborious bishop and good
Irishman. In so far you do me but
justice. I 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 .
state is likely to be flourishing respect
ed abroad and happy at home, in pro-
portion as education in the strict sense
of the word is.prized there or neglected.
Hence l 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 andysscH
ascertained results. AS ~ ktlshop, e
have indeed, thank Ged, been fairly
llccessful. I do not;apeak now Of the
prk done by pa on at the Aantipodes,
,.a1oss.E =. 4eaasa saaslolls 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 a name and absolutely
without a record, have never since had
one hours trouble arising out Of my
ecclesiastical 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 un-
broken between our priests and people,
fer the promotion Of which | have al.
ways striven mo outrage Of any moment,
like that hideous one that occurred a
few days ago in Kerry, or in an infin-
itely less aggravated shape, have taken
place in the archdiscese Of Cashel.
What do politics meanp Politics now
simply mean hood and clothes and de-
cent houses for I1ishmen and women
at home; they mean the three great
corporal works Of mercy; they mean
the protection Of the weak against the
strong, and the soil Of Ireland for the
Irish race rather than a select gang OF
strangers and spoliators. The preist,
therefore. who shrinks from what is
called political strife, and would suffer
things to remain in Ireland as for cen
turies they have been, by the act de-
clares that he cares but little how his
flock is fed, clothed or housed, and he
prefers an attitude Of inaetion, bring
ing withsit the high approval Of the
privileged classes, to one of legitimate,
contention and anxiety resulting in the
uplifting and social Improvement Of his
poor suffering flock. Hence. then, the
presence of priests and bishops in poll
itics, not, indeed, as a matter Of choice,
but from necessity. 1 am, Of course,
an Irishman, though believe my
name is Dutch, and you are pleased to-
think am good one. The words, q
good Irishman, imply a good deal.
w hat, for instance. do we mean when
we say Of a certain person that he is a
good and faithful friend? We msan
that he has warm and sympathetic
heart, and that, when there is ques-
tion Of his friend, he is generous, relia-
bic and prepared to make sacrifice for
his sake. It is the same with the good
1Irishman. He loves the green
fields and mountains. the sparkling
streams, the holy wells, the games the
pa.times, the ancient ruins, and al the
historic and legendary lore Of his ma
tive land; his heart bleeds and his hand
IS clenched on seeing, g he does, the
best Of Gods people in bondage, down