The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1886-08-20
Who is to Blame Z

No reasonable man is at loss to fix
the respon sibility for the shameful riots
in Belfast. Common sense tells US that
Irish Catholics if they were animated
with hatred for their Protestant breth-
rem. would not remain quiet in all parts
of Ireland where they could act with
relative impunity, and confine their sec
tartan ferociCY to the stronghold OF Or-
angeism, where they are Outnumbered
four to one, and see almost all the civil
authorities arrayed against them.
Yet although all the elements of
Irish situation combine to fasten inef-
faceably the stain of blood-guiltiress
/ upon the Orangemen in this wicked
/ business there is no lack of loud and
( living asseverations to the contrary, and
/ too many of the kilograms despatched
! from London to New York newspapers
are palpably inspired by these false wit
nesses. We are, therefore, glad to lay
before our readers il another column OF
The San testimony of the greatest
weight touching the true originators OF
the hellish scenes of which Belfast has
been made the theatre, and to which we
can find a parallel only in the darkest
hours OF the Paris reign of terror. This
evidence, which reached US too late for
publication on the day of its transmits
was then, for it emanates from prelate
of the highest character, the Right Rev.
Patrick McAllister, who, as the Roman
Catholic Bishop of The Diocese of Down,
lives close to the heart of the Orange
section, and has the largest opportunities
, for gaining exact information.
DR.. McAllister confirms every cOnclu
sion drawn by The San from the tele
, gIaphed reports, which, as we have said
! require at all times diligent sitting anC
$ sometimes complete rejection. There j
, nothing equivocal or qualified about hi
n statement that the Belfast riots are du
to nothing else but 1.-The incitement o
Orangemen to acts of violence by the 8
y called Loyalist press and incendiary fuI
= limitations from the platform and th
s pulpit" He challenges any one to cit
q a recent case of riOting in Belfast where
= in the Orangemen have not been tn
% aggressOrs, and where the vastly out
|, numbered Catholics have not been drive
10 to resistance in order to save their live
v and homes. AS an 1naEswerable proc
of this assertion he points, as we hav
pointed, to the fact that PTotestants
'p strongly Catholic districts have not bee
y. molested. Then, as to the outcry again'
j. the police, the Bishop gives cogeT
:, reason for the fact. that when they al
Oh are the sufferers. OTangeInen are b
d, because they alone defy authority, I'll
ed Catholics at once retiring when oTdeTe
no ! to do so by the cOnstabulary. The O
angemen are thus defiant because in II
10 past they have been wont to count upC
IN the connivance of the police, and th'
an are filled with rage because Lord Abe
Of deen and Mr.. Morley, before leaviT
= Ireland, took precautions to infuse
IN more impartial spirit in the guardians
III public order.
ce Were the present Government of IT
ne land and the local authorities of Bella
10 inspired by like determination to noe
out even handed justice 10 both partit
it is DR.. McAIlister's conviction tn
the whole agitation could be speedi
allayed. 1t would be only necessary,
We says, for the borough magistrates, W
ch feel themselves to be the creatures OF [
,ts Orange majority, to remain at home al
let justice be administered by the 81
'o I pendiarv magistrates, who are respOnS
raj bic to the imperial government. VIII
in the animus of the local officials is be
,rv dicates by the significant remark th
- the Mayor, if he chose to do so, mig
~ certainly induce his own wOTkingmen
TO refrain from attacking Catholics.
ire may add that he might take measures
he prevent them from supplying themselV
~ from his own factory yard with deaC
y missiles in the shape of iron bolts.
oo If there be any of our readers in who
IN mind remains a doubt as TO where t
IS. blame for the Belfast atrocities shot
fall, we ask bin to read and ponder
&c clear, emphatic statement of an upTig
ceS and piOus man, who lives where he C
nd learn the truth, and who performs
he duty in telling it.-N Y. Sun.