A COMPARISON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XII, Issue 27, 24 October 1884, Page 17

A COMPARISON.

tE learn from the European telegrams that Mr Trevelyaw has resigned the Chief Secretaryship of Ireland, and has been replaced by another Scotchman — Mr. Campbell Bannerman. There can be no objection to Mr. Bannerman's holding office in Scotland, nor do we care whether or not he holds office in England, but it seems to us that an Irishman is the proper person to rule over Irishmen in their own country. The theory of Liberals is that each nation should govern itself, and this theory is pretty well reduced to practice everywhere except in Ireland. Here, however, it has never been reduced to practice, and at the present moment the heads of all departments of government in Ireland are either Scotch or English men. The Lord Lieutenant is an Englishman, the

Chief Secretary is a Scotchman, the Under Secretary is either English or Scotch, we are not certain which, but we are certain he is not an Irishman, and so on with regard to all the other chief officials. Is it any wonder Ireland should be discontented? Indeed, the wonder would be if she were otherwise. These English and Scotch officials know noth.ng of Ireland or the Irish, really have no respect for them, and govern them entirely in the fancied interests of Great Britain. These English and Scotch officials have no sympathy with the religion, history, nationality or aspirations of the overwhelmning majority of Irishmen, and are filled with the most absurd prejudices against them. The consequence is, their government in Ireland rests not on the intelligence or love of the nation, but on the bayonets and rifles of a large police force and a well-appointed army. It is clear that Ireland is governed by foreigners for foreigners, otherwise Irishmen would be found administering the highest offices of their own country. We shall be told that the United Kingdom must be governed as one country, and that, in this respect, there should be no distinction between the three countries England, Ireland and Scotland. But facts show this pretence to be a farce. How many Irishmen hold high office in Scotland ? Echo answers, how many. How many Irishmen hold high office in England? Echo again answers, how many. It is in Ireland as it is here as regards the education question. The theory is that all having equal burdens have equal advantages-, but the practice is that one set of people shall, to the exclusion of the rest, have all the advantages. In theory all the people of the United Kingdom are equal before the Government, but in practice England and Scotland enjoy all the advantages, to the almost entire exclusion of Irishmen, even in their own country. Here in New Zealand we are told the benefits of public education are offered equally to all but in practice Catholics are excluded from all share in them! Who administer the Education Act everywhere in these" colonies ? Non-Catholics universally. The School Boards are exclusively compbsed of non-Catholics; no Catholic could hope to be appointed on one of them. Who compose the School Committees ? Non-Catholics, with hardly an exception, and such exception is only to be met with in remote, out-of-the-way places, where it is difficult to secure the services on committees of a sufficient number of decent men. But in centres of population, in important districts, not even one Catholic is to be found on a School Committee, nor would any real Catholic be permitted by a majority of his fellow citizens to hold a place on a committee. Again who are the teachers in our public schools ? Universally non-Catholics, though Catholics are compelled not only to pay for the maintenance of these schools, but also to send their children to these schools in the absence of schools of their own. So far as the law is concerned, Catholics are eligible as teachers, but this legal eligibility is a mockery and a delusion, as no committee in the entire country has ever elected a Catholic as a teacher in any large important school, or indeed elected a Catholic at all except in a few cases, where no one else was to be found willing to accept a position undesirable by reason of the insignificance of the salary and other disadvantages. As in Ireland, Irishmen are expected to be contented whilst operated upon by 'prentice hands from England and Scotland, so hero Catholics are expected to be content whilst paying for schools presided over by men whose weekly occupation is to proclaim them idolators, by men who are notorious for their infidelity, by men who are the leaders of sects, and are the most determined enemies of everything that Catholics value most. As in Ireland one set of people have all the power, places, and emoluments to the exclusion of people whose rights are habitually trampled on, so here nonCatholics, after having compelled CathoKes—to pay them £70,000 per annum for education have laid hold of that education, and really so managed it as to exclude Catholics from all share in that to which they are forced to contribute £70,000 per annum.

The Dunedin Catholic Literary Society held their nsual meeting on Friday last. Mr. Callan, Vice- President, occupied the chair. Five names were nominated for membership. Mr. Gunning gave his first essay before the society on " Art, Literature, and Science. 1 ' It was well received, being both instructive and original. Mr. Power gave a reading, descriptive of the beauties of summer time, in a masterly manner. Mr. Dalton read a short essay on " Ireland in the olden times," which proved highly interesting, and evidenced great improvement on his last effort. The members acted part of Lord Lyfcton's play, " Money," in a manner which showed a marked improvement. The Christian Brothers offered the use of their library to the Society on payment of the usual fee, an offer which was thankfully received. In the Society's last report Mr, Hayes was reported to have given an essay on " Solo ringing ;" it should have been " Sacred solos."

The following paragraph clipped from the Nation of September 6th, come to hand as we go to press, hardly bears out the telegraphic messages received here of the enthusiastic loyalty by which, the Duke of Edinburgh was attended on during his late visit to certain Irish ports. " The visit of England's Channel Fleet, oommanded by the Duke of Edinburgh, to Dublin Bay and Qaeenstown Harbour, has afforded the Irish people an opportunity of testing whether selfrespect and sturdy nationality or ilunktyism and West-Brifonism had the upper hand in the chief cities of Ldnster and Munster. To the credit of Ireland's manhood let it be said that the former qualities have prevailed. The days of self-abasement are rigidly coming to a close in Ireland."

The resignation by Mr. Trevelyan of the Irish Chief Secretaryship would almost seem to indicate that he still preserved some remnants of conscience and gentlemanly feeling, and had not become base enongh to carry the matter out to the end. Of Mr. Campbell-Banner-nmn, Secretary to the Admiralty, who succeeds Mr. Trevelyan we know nothing, but if he be already suited to the office he has accepted so much the worse for the Irish people, and if he be not so much the worse for himself — sure corruption lies in his path.

The Rev. Father Le Menant do? Chesnais is still engaged with his collection for St. Patrick's College, Wellington, at Christchurch. It speaks well for the Catholic zeal of the people that they are conbuting most generously and beyond all that had been expected from them. It must be especially consoling to the good parish priest to witness in his flock such excellent results of his pious labours. The zeal of the flock is always the ornament of the pastor.

A monument to the late Very Rev. Father Forest is about to be erected in Napier. An advertisement calling for plans will be found elsewhere.

We clip the following from an exchange :—": — " According to a Republican paper, crime is becoming more common every day in France. It is spreading • like a rising tide whereof thd waves are often red.' Twelve years ago the total number of crimes and offences which came under the notice of the tribunals amounted in 12 months to 26,000. Ten years afterwards— in 1882— it exceeded 81,000. The largest contingent of criminals was furnished by the metropolis.' ' But what can they expect 1 They have made war upon religion and weakened its influences, and the natnral consequences follow.

By the death of Mr. T. D. Sullivan which has been reported this week, the Irish national party lose a tried and valued leader. Among all the genuine patriots of the day none! held a higher place or was more fully or more deservedly trusted. Ireland also has lost one who boldly and ably defended her cause with the pen, and who as editor of the Nation had won for himself a reputation of the highest order — Mr. Sullivan's widest fame, however, was perhaps that which he had acquired as a poet, and many men desirous of renown might envy him, for example, that dramatic occurrence in which the one hostile army caught up the refrain of his verses from the other, and filled the night with the echoes of his chorus in commemoration of Ireland. The grave that has closed over Timothy Daniel Sullivan has, indeed, hidden from the view, but never from the memory, of his fellowcountrymen the faithful friend and advocate, the able and courageous champion, and the noble teacher, and the grief of those who mourn him will be long and sincere.— R.T.P.

The papers are ringing with the extraordinary devotion shown by King Humbert in visiting the patients suffering from cholera in the hospitals at Naples.— When the Empress Eugenic, nevertheless* some eighteen years ago set the example that Humbert has now followed there was not so much fuss made about the matter. And on the patt of the Empress it was a purely voluntary undertaking that no one looked for.

Despatches from Naples respecting the cholera would seem to be of somewhat doubtful authenticity, or, iudeed, in some instances to be altogether mendacious. It is, for example, very doubtful as to whether squadrons of Garibaldians arrived under the command of a certain poet from Milan and Tuscany to take care of the sick, and it most surely is completely false that religious processions had been promoted for sordid purposes only. The vapours of Garibaldian oets hardly induce them to expose themselves to the risk of death from pestilence any more than does the true and self-sacrificing

charity of the Catholic priesthood and religious orders— never bo splendidly manifested as in the times of distress and danger— lend itself to unworthy purposes. The accusation, however, is most characteristic of the revolutionary and atheistic party, and equally characteristic is it that the Protestant world, echoing all that party's calumny, should repeat and give it credence.

The examination of pupil-teachers engaged in the schools of the Dominican nuns took place in the convent" at Dunedin on Friday, His Lordship the Bishop and one of the Christian Brothers acting as examiners. The result proved most satisfactory, aud was very creditable to the girls examined, their answering in English grammar and analysis being in particular remarkably good. On Saturday morning the prizes were distributed by the Bishop who, on the conclusion of the pleasing ceremony in question, spoke a few words to the following effect. His Lordship said the Church had been concerned about the education of the people when no one else cared for it. She bad encouraged it not only in connection with religion but because of itself it strengthened and enlightened the mind. She had opened schools and colleges which were free and intended for all* But the Church had been hindered in the work, and prevented from carrying it out fully, and, while she was reproached for not having done what she had been prevented from doing, the cause of education had suffered. It was only when it was plainly seen that barbarism must ensue if ignorance were allowed to prevail that the State had adopted the part of educating the masses. Th« principal object, however, for which they were being educated was that of money-making. The work for which the pwpil-teachers were being trained was a noble and praiseworthy work, and they were to be congratulated on the part that they would have in it. The Yen. Archdeacon Coleman will visit Waipori on Sunday

It seenw that the chief scientific point in Mr. Caldwell's late dis. covery about the platypus is that it proves man to be descended from the reptiles and not the amphibians, and the distinction is most consoling. Between snake and frog it is, of course, extremely easy to choose. Descent, however, is now among the most prominent topics of the day. Mr. Edwin Hine, for example, comes out here to persuadeallour Anglo-Saxon neighbours that they are descended from the Jews, and the conviction in question should also be elevating in its effects. Let us readily agree, then, that the ancestral race were reptile?, and that even among the descendants heredity here and there plainly prevails. We would be nothing if not scientific. The observances in connection with the Rosary, as commanded by the Holy Father in the Encyclical, of which we publish elsewhere the London Tablet's translation, will be carried out in the Diocese of Dunedin during the month of November.

Our leaders will find in another column a letter reminding them of the necessity that exists once more for them to be np and stirring in the cause of Ireland. The appeal comes from the West Coast, where brave, devoted, men are ever ready to give us all a good' example, and we very heartily congratulate them on being, as they were sure to be, the first to move in this matter. Mr. Duggan who writes to us from Kumara tells ns the steps that have been iaaugu rated there in order that New Zealand may not prove false to her pledge of supporting one member of Parliament, and the warning thus given that there is no time to be lost, is one that should not be neglected. The burden however, must not be thrown altogether on the men of the West Coast. Wherever a branch of the National League exists it behoves its members to bestir themselves in this matter, and we have no doubt that all they require in order to do so is to be reminded that the time has come for them to move. Mr. Duggan's letter should serve all the purposes of the necessary incentive, and we again direct the attention of our readers to it. " MABBY in haste and repent at leisure." It appears that the truth of old sajings may even be illustrated in royal households. The Grand Duke of Hesse, for example, got married all in a hurry to a certain Russian lady, but when he bethought himself of repenting equally hastily, he found it could not be done. The lady, it seems resolutely refuses to hi divorced, and has determined that cia Highness shall have full time for repentance. He will be repenting all the time she is making use of her opportunities, no doubt, and serves him right. What time there may be given for repentance to another devotee of matrimony, of whom a report has reached us by the same mail that gives us information concerning the Grand Duke, we know not;-ttat is to a certain Rev. Mr. Blassell, reported as the first Irishman who has joined the Mormons for fifteen years— and the rest, perhaps. But when a man makes up his mind to be speedily very much married, as somebody says, the repentance seems likely to be all the stronger. As repentance is a wholesome spiritual discipline, there can be nothing unchaiitable in our wishing the Rev. Mr. Blassell whoever or whatever he may be— a full dose of it. He seems sadly in want of something of the kind. His reverence's history, meantime, should be en ertaining, and it is to be hoped it may be Dublished.

xv .P 0 ?!? P Dvaic ' ff>r tt weakens and destroys, but use Hop Bitters, that bmlds up ! Read. *