The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-01-07

RoMK, Jan. 8.-The italian papers say
that Mr.. Gladstone, now in Italy, will
treat with the Vatican for its support in
the efforts being made to obtain autonomy
for Ireland, Monsignor Persico having be.
gun the negotiations. In November last
this distinguished ecclesiastic rendered
his preliminary report as Papal Envoy to
Ireland. He asserts that the Irish cause
is an intrinsically just and sacred one, and
he recognizes that England for the last
half century has resolutely endesyored to
make every reparation for the past. While
acting forth the justice Of the cause Of
Ireland, he strongly disRpproves Of the
means employed by aEitstors who foment
civil war and substitute the policy Of vio-
lence for that of constitutional action.
The "pIsn Of campaign" he treats as q
strike OF the farmers, who seek to impose
upon their landlords a lowering Of the
value OF their property. As to the main
question, that OF home rule, the envoy de-
clares that for this country, is not ripe,
and that, moreover, no measure Of any
kind hitherto put forward merits serious
discussion. On the other hand, Monsignor
Peraico frankly diaapproves Of the policy
OF coercion. The report concludes
by insisting upon the necessity
for the formation of moderate
party in Ireland on lines OF concilistion.
By this means some precise result may,
he thinks, be arrived at, and the Irish
cause not be delivered up to agents Of q
revolutionary propaganda and Socialist
aRitatora. Persico was guest OF Arch
bishop Walsh while in Ireland hence the
tone Of his report is somewhat surprising
in its non.partisan quality. On the oCca-
sion Of the Pope's Jubilee, Queen Vic
toria sent her congratulations by the
Duke Of Norfolk, an autograph letter to
the Pontif and ever and basin OF solid
gold, used by him at the mass in St..
Peters on January !. Moreover, many
English Catholics Of high rank are hostile
to the home rule agitation. The accumu-
lated effect Of Monsgnor Persico's report,
with the events following, ia not favorable
to Irish national aspirations. No wonder
then that we hear Of an address to be pre-
sented to the Papal Envoy by English
Catholics, assuring him OF their deVotiona
to the Holy See, and expressing the hope
that the mission will result ia inducing
the Pope to sesist in obtaining for Ireland
the fulhlment OF the national hope, and
repudiating the action Of those English
Catholics who have adopted a course OF
bitter and incorporating hostility to-
ward Ireland. This act by English Gath
oils is followed by overtures made by
Monsignor Persico himself 10 the ex-
Premier OF England, and the leader in the
cause Of Irish home rule. At tho present
time 1t appears that the cause OF Ireland,
seemingly Of late under a cloud in the
city Of Rome, is under brighter skies.
Monsignor Persico's career Ia striking
illustration OF the marvellous opportuui.
ties afforded by the Roman Church for
the training Of men. He belongs to the
order Of Capuchins, and is perfect Eng
lish scholar. A great travellar, he has been
In TRrtary, Thibet and Afghanistan. At
DArjeeliDg he founded and directed q col
lege and was the Roman Catholic chap
lain OF the British troops. He succeeded
in healing the Indo.Portuguese chism in
1885 and obtained considerable Conces.
siong from the English Government. Dur
ing the Indian mutiny he was made pris.
oner and confined to the Fortress OF Agra.
BE returned to Europe and collected large
sums to repair the LOSSES the missions In
India had sustained. In 1859 he was again
sent on q mission to London connected
with the Catholic interests. Plus X sent
him to South Carolina in 1858 to paCify
the people, who were excited by the war
Of secession. He took part in the Ecu
menlcal Council, going afterwards to Mala.
bar to settle serious dispute. His mis-.
sion to Ireland is regarded as the most
difficult and delicate Of his undertaking.
since he finished his studies in Rome at
the age OF tWenty-three.