The Northwestern standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1885-1886, 1886-02-13
The Irish Cause in Rome.

w nat, Americans Will ASK, says EG6V.
DR.. Bernard O'Reilly, are the senti~
Inents entertained in high quarters in
Rome on the Irish question? OF what
| is thought by the King and his minis
ters, and what is felt and said by the
Inon-C Catholic OF political press of Italy.
I need not say much. The kingdom of
Italy is in a great measure the work OF
England, and [ need not tell Americans
how anxious the Italian government is
| to secure the English alliance and CO.
Ioperation in obtaining and securing
footholds wherever she can along the
shores OF the Adriatic, the Mediterran-
can and the Red Sea. But Italy great
friend has ever been. and is still, Mr..
Gladstone. The Italian press felt very
sore, during the late English elections,
at what some journals termed Parnell's
betrayal Of his benefactors -The Liber-
al party. But if Mr.. Gladstone now
/ joins hands with the Irish leader, and
her just constitutional rights, Italian
public opinion will turn around in fav-
or of the National cause. But what
say they in the Vatican? There exists
same need for removing prejudice, and
lccunteracting a strong and influential
propagandlsm Of anti-Irish opinion that
exists in England itself. But as TO the
Holy Father, no fear OF doubt must be
for moment entertained as to his en-
iightened Judgment on the national
movement and on the men who direct
| it. He is one who thinks for himself,
and is not easily swayed by those who
| approach him. AS to Irish matters,
let all fears of such intrigues as the
one-sided negotiations OF Sir George
Erriugton be set aside forever. This
/ busybody never once had the ear OF Leo.
XIII. And never again, so long as he
| sits in the chair OF Peter, viii it be pos
sible to approach him on any errand
hostile to Irish nationality People
here reproach the Pope with being too
laborious and scrupuleus to excess in
doing work which his predecessors left
Ito subordinates. If this be a
fault, it is fault Ia the right
direction. I can assure Ameri-
cans that Leo. XIII. is thor ughly
and minutely acquainted with the poll
sical and religious interests of both Ire
land and y 7aerica. While nuucio in
Brussels, from tsao to toto, ne informed
himself conscientiously on the working
of the constitutional governments and
responsible ministries. There, FOO, the
great questions Of state and denomina-
tional education were then passionately
discussed. Ii is known with what SUI
preme tact Joachim Pecci, young rs he
then was. conducted the business of his
difficult mission. In April, lS46, be
spent month in England, studying
political parties and religious tenden-
cies, and acquiring information ON the
Irish question. On all these points his
knowledge has since been growing. No
man has higher opinion Of the heroic
struggle which the Irish race at home
maintained, enduring everything, sac
rificing everything, rather than abjure
their attachment 10 the Holy See and
their baptisnal faith. No man more
delights TO listen to what is told him Of
the atmosphere of purity and pIety
which fill even the cabin OF the poorest
Irish mountaineer. The progress Of
the Irish in education and their splen-
did success in the public competitive
examinations fill with joy the soul OF a
man who has been all his lifetime, and
is still. a most iaborIous student, as he
is spendid scholar. Then we have an
evidence Of his deep interest in educa-
tional matters IN America, in the keen
delight expressed by him at the move.
ment inaugurated 10y the council of
Baltimore TO establishment in the
United States great Catholic uniyer-
sity. TO all who at this m3mont are
helping on in the United States the
Irish national movement [ can say: If
it be a comfort to you 10 know that
Leo XIII. wishes the object you have
in view all success, then be assured that
his sympathy is with you. He is con-
Yinced that justice to Ireland means
peace, unity and strength TO the Brit
ish empire. And he is enc who has
taken In the present and the future of
nations too carefully not to feel that
true political and religious liberty is
nowhere understood as it Is by the two
great empires composing the English
speaking worlds. the United States and
Great Britain In the progress III
Christian civilization consists the hope
Of the coming era. Let England only
take away from her legislation and her
government, the practical contradie-
ton involved in her injustice to Ire
land. let her overcome her blind prej;l-
dice of rate and learn to esteem those
she has oppressed, reyiled. hated, and
she will increase her strength, pfolong
her rule and extend her influence for
good.
L correspondent of the Boston Tran
script objects TO the use of the word
elegant" when beautiful is meant.
I. is highly probable that he also dis
liEes to hear the word bully for Tex
celIent z
1t is stated that Russian women talk
less than American women, which
seems plausible enough. II American
women had to use the Russian Ian-j