The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1901-02-23
BISHOP JOHN CARROLL.
A Page from History Relative 10 the
Great PIelalc,

A Page from History Relative 10 the
Great fIelale.
y century ago, on Feb. lG, 1871, it
WAS publicly announced that the sleep
lcssness OF George Nv was occaslonng
! extreme anxiety to the British royal
family. On that day William Fit re-
signed, because Of the kings refusal
10 give effect to the spirit OF the recent
union Ut Great Britain and Ireland hy
| removing tire disabilities OF his Calllu-
lie subjects. 1t is interesting to note
mat an American bishop, as recalled
III the following paragraphs, was re-
spOnsible i'll part for the kings illsolll-
MIA
benjamin FRANKLIN was sent by con-
gress to France to intercpue with the
king i'll behalf Of the colonies. He
was hot successful. One bright nlorn-
ing he was sitting i'll the waiting room
OF the kings lace for an audience,
! looking downheartcd and forsaken, for
he had received a letter from Wash
ington, saying: IF France did not
send over her army, the cause must
fall Tor his troops were commencing
to muliny and Ire could not raise funds
to pay them; they had llo rations, their
feet Were Oh the ground and cut and
bleeding from the cold Franklin,
looking downcast and worbegone, as
he was revolving WusLinyton's letter
in his philosophical mind, was aroused
from his melancholy stupor by voice
calling:
mir. franklin! Oh, Mr. Franklin!"
Franklin jumped up and rubbed his
eyes. 1t was the popc's nuncio.
Il have good news for you," he said.
Il have just got the consent Of the
king to send over Il French army and
navy to aid your countrymen."
Franklin astonished, threw himself
Oh his knees and claspcd the hand Of
the nuncio, kissing it several times.
''Oh," he said, Rome has saved my
country. America will never forget it
for Rome! The Catholics shall have
all the rights the Protcstants have.
Convey to His Holiness the Pope my
thanks for all the American people.
We shall never, no never, forget it for
Rome"
The nunciO said: MIR. Franklin, you
must thank Father Carroll Bisllop
CarrOlD for it was he WHO induced the
Pope Of Rome to send me here in the
interest Of the American people. His
laid by ME before the French king and
cabinet, and success has crowned his
Efforts
So, readers, if you want to learn
something Of the man who next to
Almighty God and Washington, gave
you a flag and country, turn to the
Catholic cathedral at Baltimore and
see his tomb. Washington himself
said: "Of all the men whose influence
was most potent i'll securing the sue
cess OF the revolution, Bishop Carroll
of Baltimore was the man." The Eng
lish king called him the rebel bishop,
Washington's Richelicu, the prime
minister and adviser of congress, the
man who got the Pope OF Rome to use
his influence at the French court for
the Americans"
NO, no, sir" he said, turning to MIR.
Pitt, the prime minister of England, Il
Shall never sign bill granting Cathc-
lie emancipation after the action taken
by the rebel Catholic bishop Of Bait
my dominions by the aid Of the French
army and navy, and by the force Of
Irish Catholics. No, 10, Mr.. Pitt, you
need not stop to argue the question
with me, my mind is made up Oh that
question"
Them said Mr.. Pitt, III that's your
majestys determination, cannot re-
main in office, for am pledged in one
OF the articles OF union between Eng
land and Ireland To grant Catholic
emancipation. 1t is necessary to save
the union Of the British empire. l
must resign"
'"Then," said the obstinate king, do
so, do So"
So Fit resigned like u man, and
Catholic emancipation was not granted
Tor twenty-eight years alter this. This
shows what Ireland suffered for Amer
lean independecc. 1t also shows that
bishop CARROTS influence was instru-
mental i'll securing our independence.
The people Of Boston turned out to re-
ceive the French army, which was led
by a Catholic priest, with u crucitiX in
his hand, through the streets Of Bos.
ton. All the ancient burgesses Of Bos-
ton turned out and went to the Catho-
lie church in compliment TO the