The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-18
THE CARDINAL EXPLAINS.
,,GIIsHMEv EXCEPT TO FART OF
GJBBONS'S WRITINGS
nj. Introduction {" Life of John Boyle
o'KeiiIy Causes Objection to His selec-
,ou as Preacher of the Dedicatory
S,,u,,u Mt Westminster Next Year.

nj. t,,roJuction to n Life of John Boyle
o,N.iIIy Causes objection to His selec-
,ion rs Preacher of the Dedicatory
sc,u,ou ut Westminster Next Year.
Cardinal Gibbons was asked somo time ago
hv Cardinal Vaughan to deliver the sermon at
iolir,tlon next year Of the new Catholic
cathedral at Westminster The Baltimore
rr.o,c accepted the invitation and prepara-
lions were begun Ivy the Catholics OF England
IN welcome him appropriately. In England
,,.c,rlant note was struck last month By an
English catholics attack upon Cardinal Glib
tans who, he said. would not DO welcomed
Nv catholics. aud It looked "a IL the
baltimore rrolatcs trip must be abandoned.
pu, cardinal Vaughan has sent to Cardinal
Gihbon- assurances that the English Catholics
xill civ, him n warm reception next year. when
ne comes to London. These assurances have
hccn conveyed to Cardinal Gibbons by Bishop
Ch,tord Of indianapolis. who has lust returned
from , visit TO the Pope. On his way back to
mi. country he called upon Cardinal Vaughan.
and. ON his arrival here before he went to In
dIonapos. he delivered a message from the
English Cardinal to Cardinal Gibbons.
The trouble arose over an introduction writ
Ton nine years ago 10y Cardinal Gibbons to
"Tbe Life and Writings Of John Boyle O'ReI-
~" ". +. II. lecky. the English historian. In
a recently published book, severely criticises
tho Cardinal for this introduction. Mr.. Lecky
declares that ORCilly, being a sworn Fenian.
entered regiment OF hussars assumed the
uniform Of the Queen. and took the oath oil al
leeiance for the express purpose OF betrnylng
hi. trua, and selucins the soldiers OF his rcgi-
,pept" Mr. Iccky complains that Cardinal
Gibbons ha, not altered u word In condemna-
ton OF u Reilly's alleged violation OF his oath.
This criticism Of the Cardinal was approved by
I,,.y. tsh nj in
t. tn. LUHdOn Times. declared that under such
cirrumstun the Baltimore rrelate could not
b. welcomed ~ English CMhq..rs AZ the ued'-
cation VI the Westminster Cathedral.
Cardinal Gibbons has deemed the incident
E s,ter q EXPLANATION to the London IdG!rt
Catholic journal controlled ny Cardinai
NJ sue ,Ss s Tse9 hsssHsi ssfs
u" tys i, due to myself apd the interest, est o.
criticism DID not know that A!r Q'Reiiiy had
ever been fenian or a British s soldy TO, or
their allegiance In fact. M 10 this moment
lhaye never real line OF the biography for
IN. author Of the Life, II he comes across
this letter, will not regard me IA discourteOus
in making this avowaL =,
history before h. came to America was the
vague information had that. for some political
learn. Is hal Teen e9ilcd from his native lani
10 prna, colony. from which no atterward
eScaleu 10 the I Olttu Ntuttrs hufW Nun only
as quiet. unobtrusivc gentleman OF con.
sentative views. who's" ardent temperament
Wa, meliowsl by tIme and xperience; as an
CHRISTIAN. who valiantly defended Catholic
principles. aud a. a man VINO by his literary
hal sainei the good viii and enjoyed the
society not only Of the Catholic citizens OF New
h HtKi1"a' W6it;Ier and Lowell, our former
Minister 20 Ems and. Indeed; he was courted
asmuch by The descendants Of Engli Puritans
no had ..-p AT NiAh
The esteem In which h" was held By his
fellow citizens. without distinction Of race and
religion in his adopted city OF Boston was at
tested by the invitations he received TO de-
liver aidr-sse- on public occasions con secrated
tributes paid to him at his death by the Imen-
ean PRES Aver ne passing passing, aiiusi0n to ms
& o aI e x2eS wns NOT aSw
my whole Introduction Is taken up with COM
hents on mis- writings
any on. would undertake to write an introduce
ton tos work the merits Of which he had not
lion q the book Without presuming to hold
ursueh acours. as an example t. others, !
61 sS c6mmuHlcs'ed preface to a BOOK without
even having seen the work itself. relying on
The Integrity aud the Judgment Of the author:
himself. In his arRr eNp-rtence. has heard Of
busy writers who have done likewise. To have
memoir nnd TO pronounce a verdict on his
public and private lie, + the province OF the
siographer. and not OF the writer OF the intro
ductlun.
Il have undertaken to send these words OF
explanation because | have regarded Mr..
LecSy rs an author VI a sober and dspasson-
ate mind, as vel a. ~ dstinGuished ability.
While sometimes Obliged to dissent from his
conclusions. must bear testimony to his deep
historical research. and | che-rtully confess
that am indebted to him for many profitable
and entertaining hours"
Commenting editorialy on this letter the
Table, says:
The Cardinals explanation l. simple and
ample lie was not await" Tint Mr.. OReiily
had ever been a Fenian. and knew nothing OF
the details OF the charge upon which he was
condemned In an Eu0lsh court OF justice. And
surely. II that had been otherwise time might
have been allowed TO bring forgiveness for an
offence committed SO long ago and so noby
atoncd for" Referring TO the intination that
the Cardinal would be received coldly the Tab
u says: Let him come and try; We will