"HIBERNICUS."

West Coast Times, Issue 689, 9 December 1867, Page 2

"HIBERNICUS."

TO THE EDITOII OF THE WEST COAST TIMES.

Siu — I have the honor to ' request, in reference to tho letter in the West Coast Times of this morning, headed "The Catholics of West land," that you will oblige me by giving the name of tho writer thereof. l should not make tho request, but that, in the concluding sentence of tho letter, it was stated that any one doubting the genuineness of tho letter -might be furnished with tho information I ask. I have my doubts of tho letter's genuineness— rather of tho genuineness of the author as being an Irishman and Catholic, and therefore -you will, I feel assured, redeem the promise made hi your paper of this morning. I have, &c, John Manning, Ed. " Celt."'

December 7, 1867.

[We canuot comply with Mr Manning's request for several reasons. In the first place, although " Hibemicus " communicated his name to vs — as we require all our correspondents to do as a of course — and gave us permission to make use of it publicly — we made no "promise" to do so, nor raid anything whatever to the effect that any one might bo furnished with the name of the writer on asking for it. In the second place, it has become very evident that if the name of the writer of the letter were given, the effect would be to make him the object of a great deal of unnecessary and unseemly wrath. Mr Manning says he has doubts of the letter's genuineness, and we thank him for the compliment ! Wo are the judges ourselves of the genuineness of all letters confided to us for publication, and exercise that judgment before we give them publicity. For the rest, the letter of " Hibernicus " was a very temperate protest against the unseemly interference of a clergyman in politics, immediately after the celebration of what all Catholics hold to bo the holiest of sacraments — the sacrifice of the mass. In its temper or its substance there was nothing to oflbnd, and we should certainly have failed in our duty, if we had refused admission in our columns to a temperate letter from a Catholic, protesting against a course on the part of a member of the priosthood, . which is happily - unusual amongst the Catholic clergy of the colonies, who are noted for their pious and self-denyihg labors amongst their flock. We make this reply to Mr Manning's letter, as perhaps due to him ; but must leave unnoticed tho scurrility that has been published, respecting the letter of " Hibornicus " and its- supposed author. — Ed."W.C.T.':] *