American Notes.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVI, Issue 11, 6 July 1888, Page 3

Americ an Notes.

Mb: Goldwin Smith has not made a very happy essay in the late speech in which he declared that it would be the place of Englisa residents is the States to become naturalised, in order tLat they might counteract the Irish vote and give their support to British interests. He is condemned, amongst the rest, as s eking to revive quarrels between Irish Catholics and Orangemen, and as inciting his fellowcountrymen to a gross breach of hospitality in becoming mischiefmakers and breeders of strife. Mr. Smith, moreover, has aggravated hia mistake by an attack made by him on Mr. Chauncey D-pew for the manner in which that gentleman, on the occasion alluded to, contradicted his assertions as to the attitude of Americans towards Home Bale. A short time afterwards, in lecturing at Cornell College, he said that this was the only time he had ever been offered a discourtesy in the States, but that he could excuse the affront, as it was offered by a politician in the way of his busineee. This assertion brought out a reply from Mr. Depew, who answered, in effect, that he had only spoken as his manhood directed him and his self-respect demanded, knowing, as he did, that nine-tenths of the American people were heartily with Ireland in her struggle. He added that he was not a politician nor a candidate for anyihiug. And Mr. Depew is a man whose word will hold good with Americans against that of Mr. Goldwin Smith.— lt is further maintained, in genuine American circles, that although it is vain to argue on lhe subject witn Mr. Goldwin Smith, intelligent Americans undeistand that the Irish question with which they have to deal in the States would be much facilitated in its settlement were matieis in Ireland placed on a rational and peaceful footing, and that, therefore, Americans themselves, as such, are interested in the success of Home Rule. — Mr. Goldwin Smith, then, has evidently not gained much by his outbreak at the St. George banquet.

Dom Pedro's great undertaking was brought to a successful and glorious conclusion on May 12 by his daughter the Princess Isabella, who rules the empire of Brazil as regent during the absence of the Emperor in Europe. The regent showed herself very determined in the matter, and dismissed without ceremony a ministry that opposed her. But she receives as a reward the applause of all the world, and the Holy Faiher has sent her, as a mark of approbation, the golden rose. The event alluded to was the liberation of a million slaves in whose freedom the curse of slavery fioally expires on the American continent. The Brazilian people, however, also deserve their meed of praise, for, as a rule, they co-operated bravely wiihthe Government and the Church, by which the Government was encouraged in the noble work, ad in some instances very notable proofs of devotion and self-sacrifice have been given. One case in particular deserves to be mentioned, that namely of Joaquin Jose Breves, who not only liberated his 3000 slaves, but provided them with freehold homesteads. So terminates, therefore, amid universal rejoicing and with the special blessing of the Pope the infamy of slavery in Brazil. J

The departure is announced from San Francisco of Father Conrardy, who goes to console, at first, and afterwards to replace, the heroic Fatter Damien, now himself a leper, among the lepers of Molr kai. Father Conrardy, who has laboured for several years as missionary to the Indians of Oregon, has been determined since 1876 to undertake this devoted task. Like Faiher Damien, he is a native of Belgium. To comment on such an act as his wonld be, indeed, to paint the lily. It needs only to be mentioned to be fully understood.

The politicians and statesmen with whom Mr. Chamberlain associated daring his stay at Washington have need to cry, " Save me from my friends." They are well known, and, since Mr. Chamberlain declares that he had met hardly one American who approved of Mr. Gladstone's Irish policy, their sentiments are betrayed by him. Believers in the power of the Irish vote will feel it was cruel and ungrateful of Mr. (Jhnmberlain thuß to direct it against the politicians and statesmen whose hospitality he enjoyed.

Sir Thomas Grattan Esmonde has carried the story of Ireland to the city of Montezuma. The Irish delegate was cordially received by the Mexicans, and had the privilege, never before accorded to a foreigner, of addressing both Chambers of the Legislatnie in session. He also founded in the city a branch of the National League, which is said to give promise of a vigorous career.

What i 8 the feminine of mayor, and what is the feminine of alderman? Lady mayoress will not do, because the words only designate a better half, and here we want the whole indivianal in propri* pgrgona ; and nobody hitherto had ever heard of a shealderman— beiter half, or worse half, or any balf at all. There are, however seven matrons in the city of Oskalooaa, Kansas, one of whom fills the place of mayor, and the other six each that of alderman. The appointments have been recently made, so that matters have not as yet had time to develope themselves. But we shall see what we shall see all in due course. Meanwhile, it might profitably exercise the ingenuity of some grammarian to give these ladies, one and all, a proper feminine title. For the credit of their sex it would be well they had something feminine about them.

An exemplification of the true equality promoted by the Catholic Church was given the other day when Cardinal Gibbons officiated at the celebration of the golden jubilee of a coloured nun at tbe conTent of the Oblate Sisters of St. Joseph in Baltimore. When this nun entered the convent, her race, still unfortuaately a despised one, was in slavery, and only in the haven of the Catholic Church could she obtain the privileges enjoyed by her white sisters. Emancipation, however, had nothing to do wvh the celebration of her festival by a Prince of the Church, to which, as a spouse of Christ, she had at much right as she would have had had her lineage ben amongst the proudest in Europe. The convent in question is that of a coloured Sisterhood, which owns an honourable record for many works of charity.

An Irish national celebration in a Methodist church is an event that does not often occur. But a true Irish national celebration was that with which the Rev. George W. Pepper, the other day, inaugurated a fine new window in his church ac Ashland, Ohio. The window, moreover, is a true Irish window, d dicat^d to Emmet, Parnell, and Gladstone, the man who gave his life to Ireland, the man who has given his talents and career to her, and the man who has risked for her sake the popularity and honours gained by him through more than half a century of noble work. A performance of Irish music took place on the occasion, and Mr. Pepper delivered a fine lecture on " Ireland as it is." The audience, although but a small number of them were natives of Ireland, were fully in sympathy with their minister, and ardent in supporting hia viewaof the Irish canst.

A grand old man and veteran journalist has just passed away at the advanced age of 90, in the person of Mr, Tnomas Blooney, the "Trans- Atlantic" well-know i to all who read that extremely able organ of Irish-Americans, the Irish World. Who, that was accustomed to look for the fresh and vigorous columns that bore the w4l-k«own signature, could have faicied that the writer belonged to another age, and had been advanced in life when the great emigration from his native land to the States began. Of his talents we have been able to judge for ourselves, but the newspaper that haa lost his services, bears the highest testimony lo his long, honourable, and consistent career. None of us can refuse to join in the prayer with which the editor concludes hia panegyric: — ''Spirit of •TransAtlantic,' all hail and farewell 1 May the end (Ireland's freedom) he so long and so ardently laboured for while on earth be speedily consummated. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord ! and may light eternal shine upon his soul ! Amen."

The Catholics of Montreal are about to erect in their cemetery a colossal statue of the Blessed Virgin. The project originally was that it should be erected oa the summit of Mount Royal, but the violent opposition given by Protestants led to the abandonment of this design. Not all Protestants, however, are among i^s opponents and one of their principal men, Sir Donald A. Smith, a man of great benevolence and munificent charity, is a subscriber to the statue and a warm supporter of its erection. The statue will be illuminated by the electric light at night. But it will not be completed for three years.