Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1888-05-12
POPE LEO AND THE IRISH.


The rescript recently issued by the
Pope, in regard to the plan Of campaign
and boycotting in Ireland, has evoked q
great deal Of discussion. AS rule the
Irish leaders deprecste the attitude Of the
Vatican and as loyal IS Irishmen are to
the church of Rome there are evidences
that IS between struggle for Ireland and
loyalty to Rome Irishmen will consider
their first duty to be in behalf Of Ireland.
In fact, in many districts Of Ireland there
is open opposition to the rescript aud 50
serious Ia the disssti,fsction thst the
Irish bishops have been asked to forward
their views and advice to Rome, for the
information Of the propaganda. II is
possible that the Irish Catholics msy mis-
apprehend the true purpose Of Pope Leo's
sdmonitions and that breach between
Irishmen and the Vatican may prove an
impeachment to the progress Of The home
rule movement. 1t is an open
question whether the conservative
policy advised by the Pope may not
after all be the best course for ithe Irish
best calcula ted to promote the success
OF their aspirations. However justiaable
in theory, it is fact that boycottiDg has
been carried to an excess in Ireland, and
has thereby brought the Irish cause into
reproach with many persons, both in
Great Britain and this country, who real
ly sympathize with the Irish, and would
gladly see home rule prevail, but who op-
pose boycotting and violence, especially
when the latter leads to bloodshed.
There ought not to be any doubts about
Pope Leo's sympathy with Ireland, be-
cause nearly all Irishmen are Roman
Catholics. lis difference OF opinion
as to the best means Of attaining an end
that both parties, the Vatican and the
Irish, desire to see achieved. The Pope
favors policy Of moderation, of resort
to methods that will find jusiifca-
ton in the eyes Of society.
The enthusiastic Irish element pro-
claims that forbearance mas ceased
to be q virtue and, IS they say, want to
eight the devil with hre." Befole max
ing up their minds to reject The Pope's
counsel the Irish will do well to bear in
mind how effectively and wisely the Pom
tiff worked In behalf Of German Catholics,
who, for time, suffered full as much in
justice and oppression at the hands Of
the German government as the Irish do
from England. In Germany the Pope
had to deal with the late Kaiser and
Prince Bismarck, both men OF iron wills
snd bent on carrying ous their policies
with reference to Catholics. The contest
lasted for years, but the shrewd, concil-
Iatory tactics CT the Vatican won in the
long run and Bismarck lived to see the
day when he was very glad to accept the
aid of the German Catholics in the elec- |
lions and the Rsichstag. 50 did Kaiser
William. AS for Pope Leo he has lived
10 see nearly every grievance complained
If by German Catholics remedied and re-
moved. He has patience to wait, sure OF !
The success of his tactics and by waiting
with him and following his counsels Ger
nsn Catholics achieved their desires. |
May 1t not be that the Pope aspires, |
somewhat in the same wsy, to help the |
irish? There is q constitutional gov
in Great Britain, end public |
opinion there is enlightened. II ia IS
sir and a more promising field than Ger
many WAS two years ago. All true
friends of ireland, and they are numbered !
~ the million this side Of the water, will |
.egret to see any serious breach between !
he Irish home rule element and the Pope |
IN this question, for the church Of Rome
8 an ally whose kindly effices the Irish |
;annot well afford to decline.