The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-03-05
PRIEST IN POLITICS
Words Of Rev. P. ]. hChanuS, Of Green
Ridge, on That Subject.
Do NOT exert ANY Influence
Irish Catholics, He Says, Would Not
Allow Themselves to Be influenced,
Even If Priests Were Disposed to
Do Anything Of the Kind, Which
They Are Not-Commemorating
Anniversary of Robert Emmet.

At Music Hall last night the John
Mitchell club gave an entertainment to
commemorate the 18th anniversary OF
Robert Emmst, the young Irish pat
riot who suffered death for his pa:tici
pation in revolt against English op'
preston in Ireland.
A strong, stirring address was made
by Rev P. J. McManuS, pastor of st.
Paul's church, Green Ridge, who dur.
ing his remarks took occasion to deny
the statements so often heard through
out the country that the priest oxer-
cisss political power over Irish Cath
olcs.
William Dawson was chairman OF
the evening and without preliminary
remarks opened the evenings pro-
gramme by introducing Miss Julia
Allen, who rendered piano solo in Il
skillful manner. In response to an en-
core she rccitsd "Moneymusk" in a
splendid manner Miss Lizzie Gerrity
recited THE Toboggan" and Miss
Florence Schelling followed with IA
WALTZ Song" exquisitely rendered
To an encore she sang with
much feeling "The D-ar Little
Shamrock" Miss Mamis Honan re-
cited "Shanns Head. and then Will
F. Burke, of Providence, was intro
ducsd. He sang Don't Run Down
the Irish" and to encores Always
Mind Your Sister, Jennie" and Three
Leaves of Shamrock" Miss Annie
Roche's rendition of Let Me Hold
Thee Close Mavournesn, evoked loud
applause, and she was compelled to re-
spOnd TO an encore
REV. p. J MMANUs' ADDRESS.
At this point Rev. p. j. McManus,
of Green Ridge, was introduced to the
audienc5 as the speaker OF the evening.
Tie prefaced his remarks by saying:
I'VE are here this evening to honor
the memory of Robert Emmet, an
l.ishman, Protestant ant martyr
for freedom" After briefly sketching
the history of the brilliant young
Irishman up to the time he gave up his
life on the soaffold for love of country,
tine reverend speaker said:
Robert Emmst was an lrishmau of the
highest type. Warm hearted, lmpulsive
and faithful to his friends. He was a
| Protestant. Why do | specify this. In these
| DAYS when societies are formed all over
| this great country to oppose Catholics II Is
well to give some OF tht mi1guided men
| who are induced to JON these oigHnl2a-
tous an object Lesson OF how true the
| Irish people are to those who serve faith
fully with them in patriotic enterprises
That the gallant young patriots religious
convictions differed from so many Of his
| countrymen has never robbed HIN for an
Instant Of the reverence OF the Irish peo'
pie 1t was enough for them TO know that
he had been a true sou and patriotic d7-
fender of their l)vei land.
We are tired of hearing the patriotism
Of Catholics impugned and when Catho.
lie priest is privileged to appear on an oc
cason of this kind to honor a Protestant
patriot it is meet that he should dwell
upon these matters.
FREEDOM OF CONSCIENCE.
That freedom of conscience we expect
for ourselves we honor in others. We are
taught to render unto Caesar the things
that are Cmsar's and TO God the things
that are Gods. The merit that man has
he is honOred for, no matter what his re-
igious convictions Catholic COnstitu-
encies. have repeatedly sent Irish Protes.
tants to represent them in the English
parliament and many OF their most trusted
and honored leaders were Protestants. The
great leader that has gone was and so /,
the present leader, Justin McCarty.
But the question is often asked Are
rival Catholics Influenced in politics by
their priests!
Such question always evokes smile;
from thoss who know anything about thC
matter, but still there are people who be
leve that priests do attempt 70 influence
Z. Catholics in political way. For thu
benefit of those will say that the person
who imaglnes that the prizes
has any power over Irish Catholic
is gravey mistaken. think that j
is time that public uttersnc,
should be made in this community abuu
the priest in politics This clamor abou
priestly influence is an insult to the prizes
and people. No undue influence eve
could change the views Of right or wronl
OF any true lrishman. either under tn
heel Of oppression in England or under tn
starry flag OF America.
This cry means that the priests are in
termeddlers and the people too ignoran
and slavish to know and exercise thei
own convictions. And shall this be saiC
Of the Irish people who have educate
the great Liberal party OF England to tn
iustness of their claim for the right Il
govern themselves, and who have won tn
respect of the world for their moral ant
physical coursgeY No such thing as allow
ing themselves to be influenced would b
Q tolerated by the Irish Catholics, even SUI
! posing there should be desire TO do so Of
the part of the priests, which there is not
IRELANDs FUTURE HOPES.
The speaker then turned to discussio o
. Of the present outlook for home rule an
the effect the retirement Of the "Gran
Old Man will have in that direction
! "Revolutiou.n he said, 'is not justitiabl
0 in Ireland while the British army Is a
peace with the whole world, for the reasO
that Ireland is too close to England an
a too far from New York. Father No
=. Manus closed his address by advising hi
hearers not to lose faith In the noble me-
, who have carried on the fight for HON
b. rule against such tremendous opposition
; At the close ut the idress the swee
soprano voice of Miss Maggie Harring
' ton, of Dunmore. WAS heard to goo,
|, u advantage in Sad Will Be Kathleen.
For an encore she sang "Lsnore Mis-
Mamie Boland recited 81 Wish You
Hearty Good Morning" and for an en-
core, "Goblins Will Catch You If Yo
Don't Watch Ont"
Other numbers on the programm
were taken as follows: Miss Juli
Allen, song, THE Last Rose of Sun
mer;' T. J, Cooney, recitation. "Erin
Flag" Mrs, Florence Schilling, sopran