The Irish standard., 1893-02-11
A Masquerader Unmasked.

10 the EQlCOr Oh Tile lriSn 0t1llctru.
As stated in a recent issue of your
journal, I have been the recipient OF a
marked copy of a diminutive sheet pub
lished in Brooklyn, N. Y, under the
pame of the Primitive Catholic, in which
the editor, ''Pastor E. Fl. Walsh, Elk
Monk" hauls me over the Goals for re-
ferring to him during the Vail.Burgesa
debate as drunken priest who was sus-
pended by Bishop McCloskey.
My respected opponent, Rev. 0. r.
Burgess introduced him to ths public
by quoting him against the Catholic
Chureh,. and lau ling him as "Fr. b. H.
Walsh, whose enlightenment hal de-
stroyed his devotion to Romanism." OF
course, knew that his enlightenment
had not produced his apostasy, and l
Immediately began an investigation of
his record, believing it to be tdiscredita-
BILE one. After dilgent inquiry learned
that he was educated at Preston Park,
Ky,saud that some time after his ordi-
nation he became SO addicted to intern
perance as to deserve expulsion from the
ranks OF officiating clergymen. My in
formant had lived in Kentucky, and
gave such detailed account OF his mis-
conduct that Il had no reason to doubt
the accuracy of his statements. Rev.
Mr.. Burgess must have besn ignorant OF
his previous history, ..for he made no Of
fort to vindicate him from my asper-
sions. That was nearly three years ago
7 Thought no more of the matter until l
received copy of his Brooklyn paper OF
Dec. "a, applying to me some choice OK
pletives and Indignantly denying that he
was ever in .Romish" seminary at
Preston Park, or was ever ordained to
the secular priesthood. [ was called an
urch-liar who was selected as a defender
of the "Romish" faith on account OF my
superior qualifications as slanderer OF
innocent men. Knowing that lying is
the steck-in trade Of ex-prieste, l be-
lieved not word he said, but to confirm
my charges wrote TO Bishop McCloskey
to learn all particulars about Walsh's
fall from gracA. The Bishop did not give
me the desired information. Having
seen in the Primitive Catholic that tx
Monk" Walsh would soon publish his
autobiography la Chiniquy, under the
attractive title of THE Monk of Geth-
semane Abbey" purporting to be true
story Of his conversion from ''Roman-
ISM" and in which was to figure in the
last chapter as the champion liar OF the
United States, I resolved to obtain bis
pedigree from an authentic source it it
took me all winter. Observing an adj
yertisement in a Catholic paper about
Gethsemane Abbey, Nelson county, KY,
1 instantly thought of ''Ex-Monk
Walsh and his book, and wrote to the
abbot of the institution requesting him
to give me any information he may pos
sess concerning him. In a few days l
received the following letter:
GErHsEMANE ABBEY, Jan. %, 1893.
Dear Sir-Your letter of the Oath inst.
received, and in few words we will tell
YOU what We know about Mr.. Edmond
Walsh. He was never secular priest;
he studied at Bardstown to become
priest or something else, cannot say
which. He was not educated at Preston
Park, but came from Bardstown to
Gethsemane, yet student IN his class
les. to try to become monk. But aa
you know, sir, monk is not made in
day. We must undergo novitiate fol
two years, and after that time, # We ob.
tain the vote Of the community, We are
5:4t.1 IT. Edmnnd Walsh was only