It is long since any event occurred in Ireland which has awakened such a deep feeling amongst the overwhelming majority of the people as has been aroused by the arrest of Father Bheehy. The feeling, however, is not what was expected by the Minister whs ordered that arrest. It is his chief object just now to " strike terroT" into Irish patriots, and he no doubt hoped that laying rude hands on a devoted Irish priest would accomplish that object more surely and speedily than any other measure he could adopt. But, if so, howlittle he knew of the Irish people I We dare to say that the Irish people, instead of being terrorised, have been exasperated by the legal outrage offered to one whom they have learned to revere and lore for his brave and unselfish services in their cause. Nor will the effect of the arrest on Father Sheehy's own order be less disappointing to the Coercionist Minister. The words of his Grace the Archbishop of Cashel would remove all doubt on that point, if any doubt existed. The priests of Ireland will henceforth rally still more closely than hitherto round the banner which their imprisoned brother was so prominent in upholding. Let Mr. Forster hug his delusion as long as he pleases, but he will some time or another find out that the worst thing he ever did for his own reputation and for the interest of British domination in Ireland was to wound the keenest susceotibilities and the most cherished sentiments of the Irish race by the arbitrary imprisonment of the true-hearted curate of Eilnaallock. — Nation.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZT18810729.2.32
Bibliographic details
New Zealand Tablet, Volume IX, Issue 433, 29 July 1881, Page 20
Word Count
269Untitled New Zealand Tablet, Volume IX, Issue 433, 29 July 1881, Page 20
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