The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-08-14
HOME RULE AND CATHOLICISM.
BY A. J. GROVER, ATTORNEY At Law.
CChicago0

Home rule for Ireland. If so, let me
suggest a reason or two why you are
wrong although entirely in accord with
the public opinion of this country. In
the same issue is leading article show
ing the significance of the recent inau-
guration of Cardinal Gibbons in Balti-
more, which cannot be too highly COM
mended. Such an anti-republican dis
play should have been universally con-
demned; yet it was almost universally
approved by at least the political press,
if not also by the religious. Everybody
who is well Informed knows that true
| Roman Catholics think the office Of
cardinal much higher and of more con-
sequence than that Of president, and his
will far more binding upon them than
the Constitution and laws, Or any oath
Of allegiance that they have taken Or can
take as citizens of the United States.
If any one doubts this, am prepared
TO prove it by the highest Roman Cath
olic authorities. ROmanism is march
ing on to point where it will be able
to hold, by casting its vote as a unit,
the balance Of power politically, in this
country. Both political parties are on
their knees, metaphorically, with bare
heads, and hats under their arms, to
Romapism, already. The leading pa
pers of both parties filled pages, illus
trated with Qualifications of the shame,
full pageantry lavished by tFuculent
knaves and fools, on the Big Indian Of
/ R0manism, at Baltimore. The pres
/ ident. as was reported, sent his secre-
| tary, Lamar, with personal letter, con-
graduating the man Gibbons on his
elevation to the office, the insignia of
which are a scarlet cap and robe. How
much different was that performance
/ from an Inauguration Of an Indian
chief ? What is the difference between
a scarlet cap and feather cap? How
much more intelligent or cultivated are
those who delight in the Baltimore dis
play, and those who delight iii war
dance?
But l wished to speak of Home rule
fer Ireland. Home rule for Ireland
would as certainly be Rome rule as
/ Home rule for Utah would be Mormon
rule If Home rule for Ireland would
secure self-government for the people
of Ireland, every lover of liberty would,
or should be, for it. But it would not.
It would transfer the absolute power to
the Vatican. The rule of the British
/ Parliament is much safer and better
and cheaper for Ireland, tyrannical and
unjust and expensive as it is, than
would be the rule of the Pope. In
the days of slavery, Home rule-that is,
| State rights for the slave would
have been the rule of slavery. The
Irishman shiveriDg before the judge,
being assured that justice would be
done him replied, ''That is just what /
am afraid of, your honor" So of the
Roman Catholics in ireland and the
population is mostly Roman Catholic
justice in one direction, or some meas
ure of justice, is what they fear most.
They want all the available money for
the church. They want to drive out or
butcher every Orangeman, every Prot
estant, every hereto. Establish Home
rule and you establish Roman rule.
No Protestant voice would then be
heard or tolerated in Ireland. No ear
nest word can be spoken against Roman
ism in Lower Canada now-or scarcely
in ChicagO-unless under the protec-
ton of the police who are sworn to
keep order-as was illustrated only
few weeks ago on our streets.
Most critical are the times when the
political press and the Protestant pull
pit are silent on this Roman question
for the sake of votes. The politicians
say keep still, or fiatter the Roman
Catholics ;" and the Protestant clergy
obey. Romanisl is exactly the same
in every feature-in doctrine and prae-
tice-that it was when Luther risked his
life to rebuke aud expose it. What
does Professionalism amount to when it
ceases TO protest Its protest was all
there ever was of it. When it becomes
too weak Or too wicked to protest, what
is there left?
When slavery ruled this republic it
did so by unity of action, unity of vote
unity in Congress, unity in the pulpit,
unity in the tone OF the press. By thus
acting, Northern pulpits were silenced,
Northern newspapers subsidized, North
ern politicians and parties compelled,
for party success, to do the dirty, wicked
anti-republican work of slavery. Now
ROmanism has stepped into the empty
shoes of slavery. Now ROmanism die
tates silence and subserviency to pulpit
and press, to politicians and political
parties. This shameful moral coward
ice came very near paving the way to
the destruction Of the republic, The
nations life was barely saved at i'm
mense cost. Are We not travelling the
same wicked road to a much more fear
full danger, when we sell ourselves, our
principles, our religion, our republic,