Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-12
A LIVELY RECEPTION.
The Nun Of Kenmare Lectures Under
Disadvantages.
HERAUDITORS WAXED TURBULENT
A Spanish Count Comes to Miss Cusack's
Rescue.
THE SYNOPSIS OF The LECTURE

tuous greeting last night at Lafayette Hall,
and the audience was composed of such par
tisan portions that trouble of more than a
lingual nature was several times imminent,
but was aVerted by threats that the police
would be called upon. The lecturess was
not deficient in nerve, however, and stuck
to her subject despite various noisy demon
strations evoked by her language.
The historic hall was packed to over
flowing to hear Miss Cusack deliver her
famous lecture, "Why Left the Catholic
Church" Rev. J. T. McCrory, of the
David McAllister, OF the Eighth Street Re-
formed Presbyterian Church, escorted the
former nun on the platform. and the latter
introduced her to the audience. Quiet
reigned for a moment, but finally some
faint applause struggled into being and in
creased in volume until the hall fairly
shook.
In pleasant voice the Nun commenced
her lecture, but before going far some re-
mark regarding the Catholic Church she
made was objected to by strong voice from
the gallery. Laughter followed, in which
the lady Joined, but when she attempted to
continue speaking a number of persons in
the hall claimed the same privilege. With
the utmost good nature the Nun said:
"Boys, be easy now; if you can't
be easy, be as easy as you
can" The good natured sally failed to re-
store order even when she told them that
turn about was fair play, and after she had
finished her talk an opportunity would be
given the audience to ask her any questions
they might wish. The tumult still con-
tinued. Finally she asked as favor that
if any one wanted to shoot her they would
wait until after she concluded her lecture.
Again quiet reigned until second remark
disagreeable to some and present brought
out a response. Then cries of "Put him
outE' "Put him out!'' were heard on all
sides. Calls of ''Police" were numerous.
The Nun began to look pale, but when Rev.
McAllister stepped forward and seemed
about to take decisive step, she pleaded
for the offender, and said she knew they
would not disturb her any more.
MORPHINE AS SOOTHING AGENT.
For another short period she was left free
to address her hearers, but third time was |
very seriously interrupted. With the most |
wonderful good humor she remarked that |
the gentleman in the gallery needed some |
morphine to keep him quiet At this juno
ture Rev. McAllister, in very decided |
manner. informed the audience that those |
who did not come there to hear the |
Nun of Kenmare speak must with
draw from the hall, for if further interrup-
tion was attempted, the police would
certainly be called in and the disturber put
out. Great applause followed the remarks,
and in silence the lady was permitted to
continue her lecture until permission was
given the audience to question her. Then
question after question came from all por-
tions Of the hall and gallery, and of such o
nature that she, in desperation, called upon
the gentlemen to show their chivalry
to a lady, and asked il America
was not a free country where a
person could have the liberty OF speech.
Immense excitement prevailed, and the au-
dience was divided between Kisses on one
side and cries of 'Shame r. ''Shame p' on
the other Indignation that lady should
receive such insults, with cries of "Police !'
added to the excitement. A voice from the
gallery was heard to utter such an insulting
remark that Miss Cusack rebuked
the possessor by looking squareIy
at him and saying 'Shame on
you, "shame on you." At this crisis a
man by the name of Robert George, of No.
Oil Penn avenue, said he would give $50 if
the offender could be elected from the hall.
One party in particular, after listening to
the lecture, was not satisfied as to why Miss
Cusack left the church, and persisted in
questioning her on that point.
HAD ALREADY ANSWERED.
The lady said she had spent an hour in
that question, and she was not
going to repeat her lecture, that either the
gentleman did not wish to understand or
was not capable of understanding In
either case she was not responsible, but the
gentleman became so violent that an un-
expected ally developed in the person of
Count de OWES, who is at present stopping
at 956 Penn avenue. This young man,
small of stature, but exquisitely dressed, |
with fierce mustache and gold-rimmed eye
glasses, made an impromptu speech in which
be said that he came from Spain, the seat of
and as a gentleman he would
say Miss Cusack could not before a mixed
audience give the full reasons for her leav-
ing the Catholic Church, but if any gentle
nan was interested enough in learning
more, and would call upon him, he would
De glad to enlighten them. At the conclu-
,ion of her lecture some left the hall sing
ne out ''goodby" in the height of mockery
On the other hand the lady was fairly
,esieged with people who wanted to shake
lands with her and purchase her books.
Purses were opened on all sides, and the
Nun had three assistants in distributing
,ooks and collecting the money. THE
DISPATCH reporter made an exit by climb
ng upon the platform and leaving the hall
" the side entrance after waiting Vainly
n hopes of getting out the regular way, SO
,reat was the crowd around the motherly
Id lady who had so nobly maintained her
temper and dignity under the
most trying circumstances.
WHAT MISS CUsACK SAID.
Her lecture, in substance, was more bitter !;
gainst the Catholic Church and all its dig | :
litaries than had been expected from any
tandpoint. Her reasons for leaving the
hurch were, in the first place, that it had
hanged its doctrine since she entered it,
nd she resorted to various Catholic books
o prove her ground well taken. In the
econd place, it was not, she averred, all !
hat it professed to be. She informed the
catholics present that it was not against
hem that she was addressing her remarks,
ut against she system of Catholicism.
In speaking about convent life many
amiliar statements were made. She COM
ared her own entrance into the convent
nth that of Miss Kate Drexel, and said
verything would be lovely with her until the
black veil was taken. Then her
honey would all belong to the church, and
I she did not obey the rules she would
uffer the same penalties an ordinary sister
-ould. She said she was glad Miss Drexel
ad wealthy relatives, because she could re-
Urn to them if she wanted to.
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