Omaha daily bee., 1896-10-21
ARouprsuor ,nnr.ANp,s VIEWS.
Fearless Exposition OF the DNueera
OF the Chicago Platform.


OF the Chicnro Platform.
The New York Irish World, than which
thero is no moro faithful or abler advocate
OF all that tends to benefit and cnnobio
American worllingmen. warmly commends
Archbishop 1reland's letter on the issues
Of the campaign. Under the caption,
Long Live Archbishop ireland" the irish
World OF the 18th inst says:
Like all his announcements, the utter
ances OF Archbishop ireland on the leading
issues of the presidential campaign will
attract widespread attention and exert a
very potent influence, We givo his views
elsewhere in this Irish World. The note
he strikes is one that sounds the suprem-
acy OF law, as opposed to anarchy, and OF
national pre-eminence as against the spirit
OF sectionalism, which II unduly cherished,
would lead to dislntegration.
1t is not to be expected, Of course, that
the archbishops letter on the political sit
uation will crafty every one Doubtless
even some OF his admirers will be offended
at portions of it. We all have our pre-
possessions and prejudicos In the thick OF
the fight we are heated and touchy, and
he that speaks a word out of harmony with
what we have been contending for Will not
put us in good humor,
Now, Archbishop 1reland's nature is full
of the milk of human kindness. II pains him
to give pain to any person. He would not
hurt the sensbilities OF a poor insect, much
less would he wound the feelings of brother
man; and never would he war upon that
spirit of manhood within us for which he
himself has labored so long and so bravely
to lift up and to dignity But, while he has
kindly heart, he has also an ohservant
mind with strong convictions, and these con-
victions, when he thinks 1t wise and oppor-
tune to publish them, he gives out for the
benefit OF all whom they may concern.
In his discussions he does not descend to
pettiness. He never INDUCES In personali-
ties nor deals in vituperaton His lofty soul
contemplates principles only, or broad poll
cies whose application serves to institute
and conserve principles. To criticism he Is
not averse, when II comes from the mouth
OF honesty, but he despises cant, and he is
intolerant of sham and humbug. There are
those who would put his light under bushel
but 1t is good thing that we have such
luminary, placed in high position, she'd
ding his light on all in the house.
IL will be said that, being a churchman.
he ought not to concern himself with poll
tics. They who talk after this fashion
express only half truth, and a half truth
Is always misleading The fact that a
man is priest does not undo the fact that
he is citizen likewise. Archbishop Ire
land Is an Irishman by birth. Very early
In life, therefore, he became British sub
ject under conditions over which he had
no control In his young manhood, and
when he was free to adopt a government
and nationality, he became an American
The secession war broke out, and Father
ireland went out to the war as chap
lain. He was then a priest OF the Cath
olic church and an officer of the United
States government at the same time. Hav-
Ing witnessed the horrors and sacrifices of
that war which were prolonged by the
selfish policy of England. is 1t to be won
dered at that he should feel sensitive TO
what seems to some as the menace of sec
tionalism, which at one time assailed the
nations integrity and sought to destroy
the admirable order of the union? Is Il TO
be supposed that his ardor for the flag
should cool? Is 1t reasonable that he
should obliterate his citizenship?
But Archbishop Ireland makes no claim
to commission to teach men in the po-
litical order. He has never turned the
altar into a party platform nor used the
pulpit as a breastwork from behind which |
he might shoot envenomed arrows at his
opponents. He never pontificates in poll. |
tics. What opinions he holds in secular |
affairs these opinions he expresses as John |
Ireland simply. and by virtue of his Amer. |
lean citizenship. Some little men in big |
Office do these things. Conscious of their |
littleness and possessing more ambition |
than humility they find IL necessary TO |
their purpose to put the official seal on |
their every utterance, which on their In |
uiihu ITO NOulu ut VI Dul bllldll uC- |
count.
John ireland is a manly man, every inch |
Of him. While his detractors are whispering |
in the ear, he proclaims from the housetop
For one to admire such man II is not neces- /
sary to indorse all his opinions. On the |
silver question the Irish World is not alto
gether OF his mind. But again, what of |
that? Archbishop Ireland asks no man to |
accept his political opinions except only In |
so far as those principles commend them |
selves to the judgment of his hearer or |
reader. II you are not able to accept his |
political views, and IL you went to confession |
to him, and informed him OF your indlfer- |
ence, he would very likely say to you: THAT |
is all right, my son: but you came here to |
confess your sins, not to speak OF our polti- |
cal differences. Go your way and God bless |
your |
But Archbishop Ireland who is thoroughly |
orthodox In religion, Is, in the main, sound |
on politics, too. He is a grand figure and |
stands without peer. Rich in intellect |
though poor in worldly wealth: divested of |
all pride of prelacy," disnterested and hon |
est, good Samaritan to all who fall by the |
roadside, whatever their race or creed or |
party may be; good shepherd to the flock |
that God has placed him over, going up to |
the mountains and down into the glens in |
guest of the stray sheep; a spotless priest a |
fatherly bishop, a noble citizen, a soldier |
of the cross, an upholder of the starry ban !
ner in the red tempest of the evil day, an |
orator OF wondrous power, whose words are |
sparks of fire that flash out from heart that |
is ever burning for the glory of God and the |
good of his neighbour such is John of St |
Paul. Is it any wonder that he is admired |
and beloved az he is? Is it strange that he |
should WELD an influence that is not con- |
fined to st. Paul, nor the state of Minnesota |
but is felt over the entire republic? |
And wherever the great mans influence |
goes, there great good will follow. Arch |
bishop Ireland's latest pronouncement will |
bring thousands of votes TO the support of |
Major McKnley's candidatufe. Long live |
John of st. Paul