The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-12-27
KILKENNY ELECTION.
Must the Priests Rule?


Editor Morning Neucs: take this para
graph from your editorial on the Kilkenny
election to-day:
"The wiser course for Parnen to pursue is
20 withdraw. The Kilkenny election shows
him beyond doubt that it is impossible for
him to retain the position OF leader OF the
Irish people. He only Injuries the Irish
cause by keeping up toe fight
Thus, to the average reader land
especially to the Catholic reader, ID would
seem that you are in favor Of religious
teachings taking the lead in political con
tests.
Now, whether an election takes place
either in Savannah or Kilkenny, as an Irish
American | protest against any church.
religious organization, or clergy Of any de-
nomination taking active and offensive part
in the rowdy and shameful scenes that not
only take place at elections in Ireland and
America, but all tbs world over To the
right thinking man there is no excuse for
the clergyman who rides around an election
ground, whooping up the attendants at his
church to vote for the man that he or his
denomin alton wants elected
The Irishman who has the welfare of his
country at heart had better ask himself
what was the main cause that brought
about the present state of affairs. 1t is an
admitted fact that under the guidance of
Parneu the national cause of Ireland has
prospered to that extent that it has bean
held before the eyes of the people of the
whole world as one of the most important
and difficult problems that has occupied the
attention of the British government in tho
memory OF the present generation, and it
had arrived at that crisis that Mr. Glad
stone had either TO keep the promises that
he made TO the Irish leaders or break them
and acknowledge that the English were not
inclined to grant Ireland such home rule as
Mr.. Parnell wanted. The easiest wav out
Of the difficulty was to split the Irish party
that were getting too strong either for the
English government or the church party to
control.
Therefore, working in unison, Mr.. Glad
stone representing the English government,
and the clergy on behalf of the interests
concentrated in the head of their church.
they are now doing their rest to destroy ali
the advantages that Irish nation alists had
gained under the guidance of Parnell.
What kind Of government do the Irish ex-
pect to get if they allow the state interests
of England and the church interests of Rome
to take the lead in promising a constitution
for their guidance. Whatever may be the
outcome of the O'Shea matter, it has no
more to do with Mr.. Parnells political
status with the Irish people than the scandal
that was started about Mr.. Cleveland
previous to his election to the greatest
Office in the gifGof the American people had
to do with him. The Irish are no better.
nor are they any worse than other national
tiles, and the priest in Ireland ought
not, and is not, a bit better man in ireland
than in America, and should be satisfied to
take the same position in politics there that
he does here. Imagine, if you will, the
clergy working an election round the court
house here. 1t strikes me forcibly that il
would take more than an ordinary ''force
bill" to protect the voter. Respectfully,
G. L.
Savannah, Dec. Is, 1890.