American Notes.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XV, Issue 26, 21 October 1887, Page 13

American Notes.

The Hon. P. A. Collins on his return the other day from his visit to Ireland was given a public reception in Boston Theatre— which was also intended to serve as a demonstration m aid of the Irish cause Mr. Col'ins made a spirited and hopeful speech as to the state of the national movement. He spoke defiantly of the proclamation of the League, and hailed the meeting which be addressed as the first shot fired in America in the first battle of the last war for Home Rule He professed his belief that as the League had formed the real Government of Ireland for the past seven years, so it would continue within the years immediately to come. But he added that the next general election would return a House of Commons prepared to grant all that Gladstone and Parnell demanded. Mr. Collins went on to express bis opinion that not only was Ireland making good social and political progress, but that she was also doing so from an industrial point of Tiew— and m this, he said, she was grateful for the encouragement given her by the people of the United States. He concluded by deprecating all fears for Ireland, who laughed at coercion, and gave such an example as justified all her friends in saying to her " Where yon lead we follow."

_ The New York World has revealed a conspiracy that, if every thing were not lawful which is uudertaken in opposition to the Irish cause should bring into contempt and lasting ignominy those engaged in it. Ihe London Times and a number of its Tory supporters are responsible for the trick. It seems that something was wanted to renew the sensation caused by the publication of the Parnell letter whether, like that epistle, it should be a forgery or an original document, lo promote such an end, therefore, a certain Mr. Moser, by trade a detective, was despatched to New York under instructions to obtain letters in the handwriting, or in characters closely resembling the handwriting of the Irish leaders, and addressed to leading members of the extreme party in America. Mr. Moser took up his abode in New Yo.k by the name of Mr. H. L. Walters, but had the misfortune to fall in with a sharp reporter of the World, who out-detected the detective. The emisrary managed to purchase the letters he wanted, namely, five written to Mr. P. J. Tynan, the sunposed'No. 1., by Messrs. Dillon Healy, O Bnen, and Quinn ; and two Written to P. J. Sheridan by Messrs Dillonand O'Brien, charging his principal, the London Times tor these letters, which he had been sent out to purchase, more than three times the price he himself paid for them. The letters as a matter of course, were rank forgeries, every one of them. But the exposure tbus made cf the methods by which the London Times carries on its tntagomsm is valuable, and should secure for the World Jue recognition and gratitude.

The Txmes has caused offence by the nature of its comments on the assurance given it by a special correspondent, and that another civil war must ere long occur— this time between the Eastern and Western States. In this instance the wish is taken a*, father to the thought, and the manner in which the prediction is made is looked upon as betraying a spirit of hostility under the disguise of a friendly exterior. Such publications are not likely to increase that friendship for England which is supposed to be the chief characteristic of all genuine Americans. On the other hand

they may be likely to dispose such Americans to give even a greater share of their gympathies than ent to Ireland.

The first convention of the German Catholics of the United Mates was held at Chicago on September 6. A chi.f feature of the assembly was the resolution manifested to bold firmly by the use of the German tongue. Bishop Wigger, of Newar, N. J. delivered an eloquent addreas on Catholic education, to which the Germans are very steadfast. An important resolution was passed dealing with the labour question, in which Catholic working-men were warned against pernicious agitation, and recommended to be confident that by following the religious and moral principles of the Catholic Church the most suitable remedies would be discovered. Catholic employers also, were exhorted to give due assistance to the moral and material welfare of their employees. Resolutions of congratulation to the Holy Father on the attainment of his sacerdotal jubilee were also passed,

Mr. Gladstone has declined the invitation to attend the celebra. tion of the centennial of the adoption of the American Constitution at Philadelphia, to which he was invited, especially in recognition of the historical ties that bound Great Britain and America before the Declaration of Independence. His reply, although a refusal, is extremely gracious and cordial, and shows a lively sense of the importance of the event, and the honour conferred upon him personally. He pronounces the Constitution "the most remarkable work known to modern times to have been produced by human intellect at a single stroke, so to speak in its application to political affairs." He pleads as his excuse, limitation of Btrength and time, and the incessant pressure of engagements expressing, also a belief that all the activity that still remains to him will be dedicated to the great work at home. " I regard," he says, the Irish question as the most urgent and most full of promise of beneficial results to my country that 1 have ever been engaged in."

At the eighth annual convention of the Catholic Order of Forresters, held in Boston on September 3, the High Chief Ranger called attention to the fact that the only coloured man who had ever applied for admission into the Society had been willingly received, and was now an honoured member. "We care nothing," he said, "about race distinctions, and I sincerely trust that the time will never come when our fellow-citizens will be denied the privilege of the Order because of their colour or anything else for wbich they are not resp nsible."

The dipute between Manitoba and the Canadian Government, about the construction of a railway to the American frontier, hag attracted a good deal of atttention. In an interview with a reporter of the Mm York Herald, the Hon. Mr. Norquay, Premier of Manitoba, now in the city referred to, expressed himself confident of a successful issue. He affirmed that the Manitobana are determined to obtain their object, bnt be does not expect that any blood will bo spilled over the matter, as might be the case were British troops, according to Sir John Macdonald's threat, called in in settle it. Mr. Norquay evidently believes that the Dominion Government will give way.

The New York W*rld has not only secured a distinction by the extreme smartness of one of its reporters in detectsngthe drtiy work of a London detective, but a member of its staff has also gained additional laurels for it by devices that were no less ingenious. It being impossible to obtain any details as to the lines of the Scotch yacht, Thistle, owing to the unexplained objection of the owners or persons in charge of her to give them, a reporter undertook to act on his own inspirations. He, therefore, procured the services of a diver, and, setting to work after nightfall, obtained a diagram below the watar-line. None of those- who were on board the yacht had the remotest idea of what was taking place, and their surprise must have been great when published particulars of the adventure met their eyes. But American smartness has clearly found its climax in all that relates to journalism, and there is no shame to the ordinary intellect in being outwitted by its inventions.