National Republican., 1886-12-14
Tho Cnsnanr Row. DR.. MnGlvnn.

The Casesof Rev. DIR. MoGlynn.
A fairly appropriate introduction to some
comments upon DR.. McGlynn is to be found
In the story Of John Mendelsohn as told
yesterday by the New York Herald! "Good
God ? what misery poverty brings This
remark came from q rather prepossesslng
young woman as she sat last night in
squalid apartments comprising two small
rooms in the tenement No. $50 East Seventy
fourth street. In front Of her lay the
shamefully mutilated remains OF her hus-
band, John Mendelsohn, and on each side
Of her clung one or two children, six years
old. There were four wooden chairs, a
stove without FIRE, and table bare Of every
thing. Il sent my husband for medical
treatment to the hospital sobbed Mrs.
Mendesohn, 'and they killed him and then
sent his dead body to me for burial.'"
Thereporter takes a column TO state the
case, presumably true, and exhibiting
masterpiece Of brutality. Coroner Levy's
statement concludes the fret installment OF
this story; ~ propose to make the most
searching investigation that my official posi-
tion will allow me. have no doubt what
ever that great wrong has been done, and
that this poor mans death was hastened by
ill.treatment received at the island. Why,
do you believe, was told this morning that
there was no need Of my fighting this mat
ter, as would be obliged TO buck against
politicians. Well, I'll buck against poll
tieians. don't care who | hit. When
have discovered the guilty ones l will not
rest until they are punished"
And now for DR.. McGlynn. That gentle
man has been laboring for years among the
poor OF New York, upon whom he has ex-
pended a small fortune, left by his father,
and the greater part Of his professional In
come.
There are two points Of view from which
the doctor may be regarded-as q clergy
man Of the Roman Catholic Church, or, as
a citizen Of the United States. His SOW
ereign pontiff will, doubtless, know how
to deal with him in the former capacity, but
as we regard citizenship lofter position,
with greater responsibilities than attaches
to the membership Of any church, let us
take glance at his civic status, and we
are inclined to think that fair.minded
Roman Catholics will agree with the Ma
TIoNAL REPUBLICAN that DR.. McGlynn de-
serves well Of the republic.
Fublic-spirited people Of this country
and their name, fortunately is legion-are
particularly interested in morality, temper
ance, education, and the material prosperity
| Of their fellow citizens. Those who are
regarded as the best people are prominently
associated with such movements in various
forms, and In widely different stages of de-
velopment.
DR.. McGlynn has selected for himself the
hottest corner Of the battle field In this
warfare against ignorance and its twin-
brother, crime. He is leader OF the ten.
perance movement who, by precept and
example, has done much for great cause,
In harmony with the spirit Of free institu.
tions he is a sturdy advocate Of the Ameri-
can public school system as opposed to the
denomlnatlonaism of his own or of any
other church. His work among the poor
OF New York, which constitutes his highest
claim to the admiration and esteem of his
fellows, has opened his heart and mind 10
the awful difficulties which existing society
opposes to all permanently remedial effort:
in dealing with poverty Attracted by the
writings of Henry George, which seemed
to offer solution of soclety's fundamental
difficulty, he became an offensive and de-
fensive partisan Of the labor candidate
for the mayoralty OF New York. For suct
conduct he is now at loggerheads with
his church, and, like Cardinal Newman
after the ecumenical council, may have t
bow submissively before her stern decree
But 1t is to be hoped the doctor will 60 hi
own way, fearless OF consequences. Tn
church has had twenty centuries of labol
among the poor, and the temples Of Christ
endom to-day are, almost universally
merely the triumphs OF the rich. There 4
great work for all hands, without and with
in the church. Such men as DR.. McGlynl
are laws to themselves, and far higher law
than those laid down for the government o
organizations, no matter By what sound!n;
and sacred names they may be called. Til
spirit Of the age is with the New Yorl
priest; the winds and waves Of public opln
ion are in his favor; and we trust that n
influence can be found to make him falte
or take one side look.