Year: 1879


Courtesy and Catholicity at Cork.


The Town Council of Cork has done more
to advertise itself in connection with Gen.
eral Grant than the municipal authority OF
any other city in Europe. The respectful
hospitalities OF which the American ex-
President has been the object since he left
his native shores nearly two years ago have
been so constant, SO uniform, SO unbroken,
that the recital of them was beginning to
pail upon public attention. Monotony ut
last grows tiresome, even if it be mo-
notony of highly seasoned compliments. A
break of continuity in the long round
Of festive receptions given to Genera Grant
heightens their effect by little dash of
contrast 1t is like one of those rough lines
which poets sometimes introduce into their
compositions to recall attention to the har-
mony which peryades the general structure
of their verse.


The Town Council of Cork has made a
discovery which had escaped the rest of
Catholic Europe and of Catholic Ireland
1t proclaims as justification of its
discourtesy that President Grant went
out of his way to insult its re-
ligion. The deeds of General Grant
have not been done in corner. and
it seems odd enough that it was reserved
for the Town Council of Cork to detect and
proclaim a fact which has escaped the
knowledge of Europe and America. Our
travelling ex-President has been as warmly
received in Catholic Italy and Spain as in
Protestant England and Germany ; he has
been as much honored by the Catholic
President MacMahon as by the Protestant
has not fallen behind the sister cities Of the
United Kingdom. The Town Council of
Cork would seem to be better Catholics
than the Pope himself


General Grant had decided, before learn
ing Of the singular action at Cork, that it
would not suit his convenience to pay
visit to that city. He thinks that its author
tiles have convicted themselves of q strange
inattention to American history. 1t is, in
deed, well enough known that General
Grant is not Catholic but it is equally
we'll known that he is superior to all narrow
and illiberal prejudices against members OF
that communion. His two most intimate
friends in the army are General Sherman and
Lieutenant General Sheridan, both Catholics.
He did all in his power to advance the
interests of these distinguished soldiers be-
fore he became President, and after his
accession he promoted them to the two
highest positions in the American army.
His Jealous friendship was not founded on
their religion, but their personal qualities;
but their Catholic connection never abated
in the least his generous care of their in
terests In civil affairs his freedom from
religious bigotry has been equally genuine,
though less conspicuous. He appointed
Mr.. Thomas Murphy Collector of the Port
OF New York, one of the most important and
responsible positions in the civil service,
and both in Office and out Of Office Mr..
Murphy was treated by him as an intimate
personal friend and favorite.


We suppose the Cork orators must have
heard of President Grants Des Moines
speech, in which he declared himself in
favor of ahti-sectarian free schools. But
many American Catholics are supporters Of
our common school system. The ablest and
most distinguished Catholic now in public
life in this country, Senator Herman. hos
always been steady friend of our common
schools. He was for many years the most
efficient member of the School Board of
Utica, the city of his residence. Tho Town
Council Of Cork has acted on misconcep-
ton and its members have reason to be
heartily ashamed of their ignorance. as we'll
as of their illiberality and discourtesy.