Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-05-14
VALSH'S LETTER.

Inc puDlcaJ1On or ArchDlShOp w alSn letter on the recent papal rescript is op-
 perfume. It will tend to smooth the ruff fled feelings of those who saw in the de-
 cree blow at Ire1ands rights; at the same
 time it will afford food for serious refec- ton for those who rashly condemned the rescript without understanding its import.
 Unconsciously the archbishop has admin
 isted a stinging rebuke to the self-consti- tuted teachers of the Irish people, who fondly predicted widespread disobedience from the clergy and people. Those al
 legged patriots who rushed into print at once in condemnation of the Holy Father, must feel not little chagrined at finding themselves in so anomalous position
 Those who counseled rebellion no doubt recognize in the great prelate's letter a reprimand as just as it is severe. Out of their own mouths they stand condemned.
 They were loud in their praises of Arch bishop Walsh's patriotism, his fearless ad- herence to right and justice, his great knowledge of the situation, and of the wants of the people. They were sure that
 he would resent any interference of ''those Italians" in the politics of Ireland. We'll,
 the great archbishop is patriot; his heart throbs in sympathy with his oppressed countrymen, and no man in Ireland or America has profounder knowledge of the sufferings of the Irish people, or
 would make greater sacrifices in their
 behalf than he. But, withal, Arch
 bishop Walsh knows the difference between
 constitutional, legitimate agitation and
 revolutionary measures. Ais innate love of justice, to say nothing of his theological learning, would make him shrink from the defence of any plan of agitation, when the plan had been pronounced by the highest spiritual authority on earth to be a viola tion of the laws of charity and justice. Notwithstanding his intense love for his country and his desire to see her in the full enjoyment of her rights, he was quick to see that the Holy Father did not enter the so domain of politics so-called but con- fined his investigation of the plan of campaign and boycotting to their moral side. Now in his letter the archbishop distinctly says that these were condemned on moral aDd not on political grounds. And this was the view of the script taken some days ago by the DEMOCRAT Matters will generally right themselves in time What at first may appear to be a mistake, or blunder, or cruel blow may in the course of time prove blessing. And this is especially true of the actions of Pope Leo XIII. Keen eyes watch his every and more than once his enemies imagined they caught him mapping, but | invariably time has demonstrated the wis dom of his course. Any one at all conver- sant with the past ten years of European history cannot fail to see in the Pope an accomplished diplomat, and we'll worthy | of the eulogy of Bismark, that of being the greatest statesman of modern times. It is l not at all likely, therefore, that in a matter of politics he will allow himself to be en- snared into war against his most loyal subjects by Norfolk or Salisbury. The pope is a truer friend to Ireland in con- demning radical, revolutionary measures, than those who would seek to exalt her at the expense of honor, charity, and justice.