St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-05-27
Remarkable Interview.

Special to the Globe.
WINNIPEG, May 26.-Rev. Mr.. Pitblado's
interview with Riel is the all-absorbing
topic to-day. The general opinion is that
Riel's own conversation effectually disposeS
of the insanity plea. Both PitbladO and
Capt Young, the latter of whom had him
in charge, strongly express the belief that
Riel is quite sane. The scheme
of religion which he devised
and had his council at Batoche
adopt is further evidence of his shrewdnesS.
1t is strange mixture of all denominational
teaching, and was evidently meant to please
all sorts of people. In describing it to Mr..
PitbladO he was severe on the church of
Rome but that was probably an after
thought to curry favor with Protestants or
consequence of his
QUARREL WITH THE PRIESTS.
However that may be, his attack on that
church will lose him sympathy among the
French. AS may be seen from the para
graph setting forth his views on this point,
he said: 1--WE believe in form of church
government We prefer the EpiScopate.
We would like to see head bishop for the
Dominion, or for the new world, who
would be independent of Rome We do
not think that the affairs of the church
can be rightly administered so far away.
In fact, Rome has ceased to be holy apos-
tolic see. She is now great organization
of political diplomacy. 1t is organized
prieStcraft looking after the interests of
priests, and, especially the bishops, but not
the people. Now, if we had head in the
Dominion who would act in conjunction
with the councillors chosen from
AMONG THE CLERGY
of the different provinces or districts, we
might then expect the interests of the peo-
pie to be attended to. AS it is, Rome is a
foreign power controlling the affairs of this
country. That power is felt most forcibly
in Quebec. love Quebec, but she is far
TOO much under the domination of Rome.
She does the bidding OF foreign petentate.
At his dictation she dictates
to the government of this country.
No party ae-~ can ignore this
voting power. 1t is moved by foreigners
who have no other interests in the country
than to carry out their own endsin strength
ening the position of the church. This
country will never be free until it
SHAKES OFF ROME.
All governments will have either to resist
this tyranny or be enslaved by it. Rome
will rest satisfied with nothing except COM
plete mastery. She allows no freedom to
her vOtaries. They must be slaves to her
or she treats them as traitors. have tried
my best to check this uSurping power.
wish to have our church, courts and clerical
officials regulated, within the country.
They should issue their laws in the domin-
ion, not in foreign land. That church,
while her throne is in foreign country,
will always be the refuge of traitors, Fen
ians and dynamiters. I wish church in
the country for the people. Rome should
not govern this country"
Riel'S full answer as to what he would do
if charged with treason was as follows: Il
would say (1) that whilst 1 was a subject
of the English government | was loyal to
the constitution If 1 with others was in
strumental in securing recognition of the
RIGHTS OF THE HALF-BREEDs
in Manitoba my conduct was condOned, if
not justified, by the treaty which the gov
eminent made with me. (2) The govern
ment recognized me as governor of Mani
toba for two months-from the oath of June
until the oath of August L governed Mani
toba. When Wolseley entered he proclaimed
me bandit-not a traitor. He
never arrested me. When Gov. Archibald
came he shook hands with me, so did Col.
Irvine. and served faithfully in trying to
put down Fenian invasion. The govern
ment recognized my services. I resigned
my seat in Provencher to member
of the government. have
shown the government many favors.
They have never conferred single favor
on me. l have been true to the half-breeds.
1 have not rebelled against the government.
Besides am citizen of the United States.
/ have my papers all right. A citizen of
the United States can scarcely be traitor
to the dominion"