The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-27
WAR ON JESUITS.
Col. 0'Brien Attacks Them Boldly
In the Dominion of Canada House
Of Commons.
He Says It Is a Secret Organization
and Fraught With Danger.
They Have No Right to Lands They
Claim in Quebec.
He Denounces Them and Says the Pope
Gould Not Interfere In the Disallow-
anco OF Their "Flimsy" Claims
Some Resolutions.


House of Commons this afternoon, Col.
OBrien moved an amendment declaring
that the Jesuit order is a secret organization
and is fraught with danger TO Canada. He
said that he moved his amendment owing TO
the convictions of his constituents and what
--he believed TO be the sentiments of major
ity Of the people OF the Dominion, although
he was elected as a supporter Of Sir John
Macdonald. He had said on previous occa
sions, in anticipation OF such an act as the
Jesuits estate act, that he would, when the
time came, oppose any efforts to obtain
rights not guaranteed by treaty. He
would be recreant II he failed TO do so
The resolution was explicit and required
little explanation. In view OF the past twenty
years 1t ought TO obtain the support OF the
House. While IL might be true that the bill
was within the spirit OF the British North
American act, yet Parliament possessed au:
thority to deal with matters imperiling
Canada's national existence. He reviewed
what he termed the history of the Jesuit
order. Far was il from him to say anything
derogatory to their functions. Al Conquest
they held vast estates for the promotion Of
their ends. IL was true that the first work
was performed by Jesuits, and hundreds Of
them, with self-sacrihcc would have been
admirable had they lost their lives. The
reservation in the subsequent capit-
ulation applied TO all religions. The
name OF Jesuit would not be n by
word and rcproach In America
aud Europe II a majority OF the members Of
the order was as heroic in the discharge OF
their duties. Since the time Of Elizabeth
they were suppressed in England. Their
object was 10 overthrow Protestant establish
ments In England II they were not cx-
PEELED they we're at the point OF being ex-
pclled from other countries. Look at their
iute In France and Sicily. The report was
unfavonble TO them. While other re-
ligious bodies In Canada Tcgained their
property, the Jesuits were left out In the
cold as result Of their bad historical
record. The Crown showed them great
clemcncy. The estates In Canada were not
taken over until 1900 when the last sur
yivor died. They were left In trust 10 the
. province TO be administered for the cause Of
education. There Is no legal, moral or
equitable claim for the rcstoration OF the
estates and all contentious IN that direction
are shallow and tlmsy.
Premier Mercier himself admitted In his
correspondence that the Jesuits possessed no
legal claim ON the government. The Jcsuits
bill violates the fundamental principle Of the
Constitution In 10 Ear as Il endows a religious
order. The clorgy reserve act settled once
for all that all denominations and sects were
the same before the law. These lands granted
TO the Province for educational purposes, In
trust, were accepted, and this agreement was
ratified by Parliament In isSi and 1856. The
United Provinces Of Ontario aud Quebec
had equal rights IN those days aud these
lands were mentioned IN the British North
American act. Out OF the 500, 900 grant the
$4,000 awarded 10 the Catholic school
fund Of Quebec was a bribe of money
which equally belonged TO the Protcslants.
lie ridiculcd the idea OF the Pope interfering
IN Canadian civil matters and drew attention
10 the reference 90 the Pope In preamble to
Mr.. Mercicr's bill. II seemed childish 10
contend that an act Of British Legislature
should not become law without the consent
Of the Pope. MIR. Mercier's correspondence
with the Holy See showed this. A negative
reply from the Pope would simply nullify
the net. What II the Province of Ontario
made grant TO the Anglican Synod aud left
the distribution TO the Archbishop Of Can.
terbury? The people Of Canada knew it was
unconstitutional 20 let the operation Of an
act hinge upon the negative or affirmative
Of q foreigner. The weapons Of the Jesuits
have changed since the time when they were
hated throughout the world. Tic Jesuit
was an abnormal creature, without home or
family, submissive 10 supcriors. They al
WAYS had men 20 do their work, whether
good or bad. There had been men Of great
attachments In the order but the time had
come when the world must know that
Canada brooking no interference, civil or
religious. desired 10 remain British. lie
then moved the following resolution, to be
, presented 10 the Goycnor.Goncral:
l. That the House regards the power Of
disallowng the acts Of the legislative as.
scmblcs Of province vested In His Excel.
lency IN council NJ n prcrogntiVe essential TO
the national existence OF the dominion.
2 That This great power while Il should
never he wantonly exercised, should lie fear.
lcssly used for the protection Of the rights Of
minority for the preservation OF the fun.
for safeguarding the general interests of the
people.
3. In tho opinion Of the House, the pass.
acc Of the act by the legislature of the
Province Of Qubcc, entitled Fan net respect.
ing the settlement OF the Jesuit estates II
beyond the power of the House, hrstly, be.
cause II endows from public funds a rclig.
ious organization, thereby violating the un.
written but undoubtedly constitutional
principle Of the complete separation Of
church and State. aud II the absolute equal.
ity OF all denominations before the law.
secondly. because IL recognizes the usufpa.
tion Of the right by foreign authority
namely, the Pope Of Rome-to claim that III.
consent was necessary 10 empower
the provincial Legislature 20 dispose
Of portion Of the public domain,
and also because the act IL made n
depend upon the will and the appropriation
Of the grant, thereby made, u subject 20 the
control OF the same authority, thirdly, be-
cause the endowing Of the Society Of Jcsuils,
an alien, secret and politico.rclgious body,
the expulsion Of which from every Christian
Community wherein II has had . footing has
been rendered necessary by lie intolerant
end pisolieyous intermeddling with the
functions Of civil government u fraughi
With danger 10 the civil aud religious libcr
iies oi tho people o. Canada. And this
house therefore prays that his exccllency
will be graciouslY pleased 10 disallow said
net
NJ Ryicfl, who followed, declared that !
majority Of the people were not In favor o.
the disallowancc. ff.Ontario was canyatsct
Il would support fhe action Of Prcmle
Mcrcicr. Papers and members OF the orde
taid that no Omngcmen dared support al
lowance In the House. Speaking as an Or
apgeman, he was prepared 10 support th
Government Mr.. lfykert read from tr
rules of the order 10 show that Onngenci
were obliged 10 support civil aud religion