Dublin Notes.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVI, Issue 50, 5 April 1889, Page 9

Dublin Notes.

(From the National papers.) The Irish Hierarchy have come forward with a brave and outspoken protest against the Clonmel brutalities. In a joint letter which is signed by the four archbishops and twenty-two bishops, their lordships express themselves imperatively called upon to condemn the shameful indignities and inhuman vio ence which have been indicted on Mr. William O'Brien. Ihey add that iv the interest alike of humanity and order, the Government should not buffer a moment to be lest m securing the discontinuance of maltreatment which is shocking to adherents of all poliiical paities, and opposed to the usages of civilisation. The magnificent meeting which gathered without organisation or plan in the Phoenix Park on fcunday, February 3, heard some facts that roused their indignation to the highest. The Lord Mayor, whose action throughout has been ready, < ff ctive, aDd courageous, re-called the nature of Mr. O'Biien's crime, ar d recounted the disgusting incidents of his treatment. Mr. Davitt denounced the treatment as unparalleled. But Mr. Healy put before the meeting some dates and facts that gave a new aspect to tbe ruffi*nism. Mr. H^aly pointel out that the persecution of Mr. O'Brien had been delayed for four months. No notice was taken of the speech until recently. Mr. Healy pointed out that between the date of the delivery of the speech Captain Mynheer, tbe governor of Clonmel Gaol, bad died. He was a humane man. While he was in charge there was no thought of sending Mr O Brien to the cells. But after bis death a Kilmainbam warder was promoted to the position, a complete change was made in the personnel cf the gaol officials, and then the prosecution of Mr. O'Brien began. Mr. Healy was not one whit too suspicious in the construction he placed upou these events. They explain tbe previously unexplained delay in the action of the Coercionists, and they explain also the ready working of the machinery of torture when the victim was secured. The feelings of the people to whom Mr. Healy recalled these facts were expressed by the tempest of cheers which greeted his declaration that if Mr. O'Brien was murdered there would be hundreds of thousands of Irishmen ready to avenge him. That is the literal truth. Chicane would not choke justice in that dread event. The Liberal and Radical newspapers of England are justly waxing wroth with Mr. Balfonr over the brutalities of his minions in Carrick and elsewhere. One of the London Radical organs has, for instance, tbe following comment :— " If any of the uninformed piratts whom Bomba the Sneak sent to harass the people of Carrick-on-Suir on the occasion of the farcical trial of Mr. O'Brien, M.P., had been killed, nobody in this country would have cared a straw. Tbe proceedings in that town ou Tbureday re.id like the accounts we used to receive of the Bashi-Bizouks in Bulgaria. Russia can furnisli no parallel to it. Not only was the defendant assau ted by the police brigands on bis way to take hie tiial, but the lawyer who w.ts to appear for him was nearly assassinated by o->e oJ iht&ii licensed luffians. 'Jb.3 Irish cannot endure this state of things much longer. Bomba may g> ad the people of Ireland into crime, notwithstanding Mr. Gladstone's influence in the other waj." Pn fessor Hunter, in tbe Despatch, says that nothing can be easier than to si^n warrants for sending Members of Parliament to prison, and nothing easn r than to bend over gentlemen like Dr. Barr to meet them when m prison. Mr. Balfour, continues the professor, can evict Irish tenants but he cannot collect rents. He can send priests to gaol, but be cannot intimidate the ir people. He can insult, but he cinnot degrade. His fatuous conceit attiibutes the subli ne self-c mtrol of thy Irish people to his genius for government, while a little self-know-ledge would teach him tbat Lie was only a r.val of Tartarin, the Gascon. Soctland, too, is becoming m >re and more sympathetic. The Dundee Radical Club passed a resolution on Saturday jast to tb.j effect that it is now a momentous quesiiou for themselves and their co-religionaires whether or not they shall at once adopt other than the ordinary methods to hurl from power a tyrannical Tory Government that has so shamelessly perverted law and justice an t outrage 1 the feelings of eveiy true lover of hber'y. Earl tipencer, in addressing a lartje meeting convened by the Liberal AsbOciati jii of Reading, said he confessed that, even it the worst were true ot Mr. O'Biien, he thought it would be a scandalous outrage on good taste, .. nd a wanton incentive to arouiing tin; passions of a people fur the ruler who dmcted the prosecution to speak of the piihoutr in the way in which Mi. Balfour rind done. Earl Spencer, la'er on, took exception to the extraordmiry statement made by Mr. Balfour relative to his irresponsibility in the administration of tome of tbe Insn prisons. No doubt, said E^rl Spencer (who is natually an unquestiooably impartial authority en the subject), the Lord Lieutenant ami the Chief Secretary did rot, interfere in t very dcail of prison management in Ireland, but they w«ie responsible for tbe wets of the Prisons Board, and when they knew th-it anything was to be done which might laise an important question of public policy it WBB their duty, as prudent men uud statesmen, to look into ihe matter and see befoiehand tbe propur course to bo taken. Ue believed that in this instance Mr. B<tlfour had acted most mjudiciounly. Kail Spencer concluded an important address by asking had the Government of Loid Salisbury bucceeded iv the lush pahcy — 3 quest on which he most emphatically answered in thenegative. Lord Edmund Fitzmaurice, who folio wtd Lord Spenctr, said that Mr. Ba four, by hit recent speeches, had done more than any living mm to ie ider the existence of government in Ireland impossible. His lordship wuuad up by characterising Mr. BilLmi's Ancient. Concert Room harangue as an " unfortunate, overbeanng, and lnso'ctn speech." A warm vote ot confidence in the Liberal pany having been passe I unanimously, the proceedings terminated. Iv a reply forwarded to the secretary of the Swansea Liberal Club, the secretary of whica forwarded to him a resolution of the m«mbers protesting against the treatment of Mr. O'Brien, Sir George

Trevelyan says that it would be quite useless to deny that the Crimes Act is being now employed for political objects. After referring to the cases of Mr. Edward Harrington, Mr. Patrick O'Brien, and other members who bave enjoyed the hospitality of Mr. Balfour'a prisons, the writer said the language for the use of which these gentleman were incarcerated was ten times less strong iban tbat indulged in by Conservatives and Liberal Unionists against Mr. Glads one's Land Purchase Bill of 1886. Sir George admits that he himself usei word a infinitely stronger boh against the Land Purchase Bill and, more recently, against ihe renewal of the Ashbourne Act. The Crimes Act, he sayf, is being evidently used to enable landlords to make their own barpiins with thi ir tci ants at the risk ol the Britisn taxpayer by the shuili ' proctss < f punishing savagely tlio.'C advisers who, in the moH mo o ate words, express to the tejaoto their opinion that these b trgains are unf avoura >le. Sir George Trevelyan, in c >nclu«ion, has no reason to .ioubt i>at England will nut tolerate much longer the brutal treatment received by lush political piisoners at the hands of Mr. Balfour. The Lioeral pany in ail ranks aid classes is revolted by the particular tyranny, in action and buffooaery, which form the " statesmanship '" whereoy Iteland is just now governed. The state of mind in which the Removables undertake their duties h admirably illustrated by two facts eucited las' week — one by Sir Charloa Russell in his ciost-examination ot Captain Klacke at the Commission Court, and thu other by Mr. M'laerney from Mr. Meicer on the occasion nf the trial of Mr. PowelJ, of the Midland Tribune, Capta n Slacke was being examined as to the peaceful state of Tipp^rary during the days of agitation, although the League was widely established m the county. He acknowledged the improvement in the state of Tipperary, but added that " at a rtcent meeting in Tipperary certain Members of Parliament reproacbei the people for their apathy," the insinuation being that the Members of Parliament wanted a revival of outrage. ISir Charles Russell objected that there was a prosecution pending with regard to those very speeches, and went on to ask Captain Slacks if he was nut the person who selected the magistrates to try the case. After much quibb iug he had to admit that he was. So that we tmve it on record now that the magistrates who tiied Mr. William O'Brien were appointed for no other purpose than to convict, for they were appointed by a person who had prejudged the case. We are reminded by this incident of Oolonel Turner's determination to " make an example " of Mr. Latchford, J.P. In the other case, Mr. Removable Mercer refused to remove a sentence for contempt passed ok Mr. Powell, the editor of the Midland Tribune, and justified his action on the ground tbat " in the last issue of his paper he said the same thing." Can we imagine anything more indecent than a magistrate allowing himself to be influenced in bis judgments by statements which are not before him in evidence, and avenging a personal allusion in a newspaper by imposing penalties in virtue of his authority as a judge. Mr. Mercer nursed his anger for a week, and impartially disposed of Mr. Powell's libeity at the end of the week. Father M'Fadden was ou Sunday. February 3, arrested, uiidcr extraordinary circurcsiaaces, by thj police authorities ot Toaegal. After Mas had been celebri'ei by the rev. pentieman, a bxly ot police entered tt~c chapel £iounds, v ider the lead rship ot Inspector Lennon, wLile Father McFaddeu was addrosbing the members ot his congelation, enjoining (n them the nee ssity of being quiet and peacable, partieulatly at the present j iuct»re. As the pe> pie wire leiving ttie sacieii edifice, aiiot ie.r body <£ po ice, u-ider las, ectur Martin, was po-tc lou side the door. When the rev. pastor mido his appearan -c, tbe coißtalulary made a rush to se/Zj biin, a move which was hharply iesected by the p;ople. A blow from a stone was, in the bculHi, ainitd at Dibtnct-luspjctor Maitiu, whj loßt consciousness, acid almost immediately ufterwarda expired. Wo regret deeply that this unfoituua c incident should have o-cuirsd ; but we must outesa that the time and plai c dtcided on by the authorities lor effecting the amst of Father McFadden were nidged singularly aud sea uldlously inopportune. Father M'Fadden left Gweeiore ou the same eveiiin.', e»coned by a doiaehmeot of the 60th Rifl -s and a s'rong body of p j.ice. The rev. gentleman was eventually lodged iv D,tr., Gaol. Tli- hrrel of the Time?' witness who cuntradie'ed all he was expected tosAeir, Pit rick Molloy. is eviduutlv mtended as a counter sir-keto the tremendous biow which the affidavit of O'Jonuor ha« £iven ti e Times cast' bef m; the (Jomnitsiion. On Thuriday week he was hi ids ted ac Liverpo A. Io is charged against him thar he commit c I pei jury iv stating that he had never known James Cirey, ami that he was never sn Jnviucible. The backers of the Times may be expecied id have th Mr levenge o i Mollny, it r be possible, for hid exposure of the me hods by which their evidence was procured.

Cardinal Newman made bis first public appearance since big recent llluess at the Oratory Churcb, Ed^bastoo, Birminghati', oi Chriitmas Day, wlenhe asbisted at tue High Mass iv his Cardinal' j robe-. Though evidently very feeble and tottering in Irs gait, hn Eminence appeared to bu o herwise in fairly good heaith and Hpiriti, and insisted on enteiing and gui ting the tribune by the fli^nt ot steps that is approached through the churcb, instead of by tbe private <Jour at tbe back of the hitrh altar. Gounod's" Messe Sulennelle " was iendered by the cli rir w.th oi'-ran and tv 1 baad. Lord Charles Hereford has wiitten ;in article for the Mineteenth Century, which will make a profound neusaiion. It is, as it, were, taya a Home pape 1 . a corollaiy to his spei cli on the nuval defences. He then showed tnatif war wa«to breakout between France and Eugland we should be in a position cf consider,ib c dimgrer. But in this article he goes turther, and gives his roasjii for thinking that a war betwe n France and England is by uo means improbabl . This is his line of argument. He believes that General Boiil.ingjr wi 1 overturn the Republic and become Dictator. The General, like all usurpers, will then be forced to make some brilliant mihtiry coup, in order to main'ain bis position and keep up his prestige. To attack Germany would be too lisky an experiment ; while Italy is safeguarded by the Central Alliance. What ttieu remains. Only an onslaught upon England, whose navy is weak, and who is without allies.

LETTER OF HlB HOLINESS LEO XIII., BY DIVINE PROVIDENCE POPE, TO THE PATRIARCH B PRIMATES, ARCHBISHOPB, BISHOPS, AND ALL THE FAITHFUL IN PEACE AND COMMUNION WITH THE APOSTOLIC SEE.

The meaning of this Divine utterance assuredly is that there ought to be inch perfections and consummation of virtue in our priests that they might be able to exhibit themselves as a mirror for the people to look in. "There is nothing," says the Council of Trent, "that more assiduously leads others to piety and to the worship of God than the life and examplejof those who have dedicated themselves to the Divine ministry. For, being elevated into a much higher plain above earthly matters, they attract more notice ; the world casts its eyes on them as in a looking glass, and takes from them the example which they imitate. Wherefore, if it behoves all men to be on their guard lest they get fastened on the rocks of vice, or pursue the decaying things of earth with too great avidity, how much more necessary will it be for the priest;toßtrenuously and religiously exercise this caution ? Nay, more, it 1b not sufficient that they be not the slaves of the passions, bat the holiness of their digni ty requires priests to accustom themselves to a rigid command over themselves, and to force into the service of Christ all the powers of their soul, and especially their intelligence and will, which are the highest faculties in man. You who Arrange to leave the world, Bays Bt. Bernard, remember to reckon yonrself amongst the things you must foresake— nay, first of all, to deny yourself principally. When the mind and heart are free from every irregular desire, then only will they conceive an ardent and generous zeal for the salvation of others. Indeed, without this they will not consult for their own : '• Their occupation in reference to those under their charge should be one, their pride should be one, their pleasure one, namely, how they can make their people perfect. Let them satisfy all of this, even at the cost of mnch contrition ot heart and of body, with much labour and hardship in hunger and thirst, in cold and in nakedness." (St. Bernard, lib. iv., de Consid., c. 2.) The frequent contemplation of the joys of heaven, wonderfully cherishes and strengthens virtue of this kind, and renders it alert and fearless of the greatest difficulties it may have to encounter for the sake of one's neighbour. The more pains they take with this contemplation, the more clearly will they perceive the magnitude, excellence and sanctity of the prießtly duties. They will judge how sad it is that so many men whom Christ has redeemed should be rushing to their eternal ruin, and from the knowledge of the Divine nature they will both ardently devote themselves and more effectively excite others to the love of God. This is the most certain course to the salvation of all men. It must, however, be carefully guarded against that no one Bhould be terrified by the magnitude of the difficulties, or because of the long continuance of evil despair of safety. The impartial and immutable justice of God gives reward for good works, and metes out punishment to sins. It is necessary that nations, however, and peoples, since they cannot be prolonged beyond the period of their mortal age, receive reward for their good deeds 00 earth. Accordingly it is nothing new that erring and sinful nations meet with prosperity and success. This, too, can happen by the just designs of God Who, seeing that there is no nation which is altogether void of every kind of merit, sometimes rewards good actions with prosperity of this sort. Thia took place, as St. Augustine points out, m the case of the R.man people. It is an established law that it conduces to good fortune to cultivate public virtues, and prosperity will be often in proportion to the measure in which these virtues are cultivated, and especially that which is the parent of them all, namely, Justice. Justice elevates a nation,; but sni malrs people miserable." It is not to Our purpose to enter into the consideration of how far evil deeds are allowed to succeed and prevail, nor to examine whether thcro are any states which, thougn their affairs are in safety and seem to tlow along in accordance with the wishes of their people, nevertheless carry about with them as if buried in their very entrails the Beed of ruin and misery. There is one thing we wish to De well understood, and it is « thing of which history ia full of examplep, that evil deeds will one day or other have to be atoned for, and that the more grievously in proportion to the length of time they are allowed to last. We may derive great consolation from that saying of the Apostle Paul. All things are yours ; but you are Christ's, and Christ is God's." That is to say, the course of earthly things is so directed and governed by the hidden will of Divine Providence that whatever happans to man, all things minister to the glory of God Himself, and are conducible to the glory of those who truly and fromttuir heart follow Jtsus Christ. The Church is the mother and nurse, the leader and guard hn ot all these things. As she ip, therefore, intimately united in unchangeable love with her spouse, so she is joined with Him by the companionship of battle and the common enjoyment of victory. We have no ciuso, therefore, for anxiety for the Church. Nor, indeed, could we have any. We, however, greatly fear for the salvation of those who haughtily set the Church aside, and are led by various errors to their ruin. We are grieved on account of those 8 ates which We are compelled to see torn away from God, and, whilst the hazard to all things is extreme, sleep in stolid security. As St. Bernard has said : " Nothing is equal to the Church. Everyone that has attacked the Church has himself perished . " The Church transcends the heavens ; such is the greatness of the Church. She conquers when attacked ; when beset with snares and machinery, she triumphs ; ehc wrestles, but is not overthrown ; she contends in the fighting arena, and is not conquered." Not only is she not conquered, but she preserves entire the virtue which, by a perennial draught, she imbibes from God Himself of correcting our nature and of procuring our salvation — a virtue, too, which will remain unchangeable through ever-changing ages. Now, if this virtue in a divine manner freed a world which had grown old in vice and was buried in superstition, why will it not lead back one that is merely going astray 1 Let suspicions and jealousies become once more still ; remove the obstacles and let the Church, whose duty it is to guard and disseminate the blessings

required tnrouph Jesus Christ, be everywhere in possession of her own rights, then, indeed, it will bo allowable to learn by experience how far the light of the Gospel may extend and what the power of Christ can accomplish. The year which is now departed ha?, as we have said at the beginning, given not a few indications of the revival of faith. Would that, like a spark, this revival may grow into a strong conflagration, which, having consumed the very roots of vice, might quickly clear the way for the renewal of salvation. We, however, who have been given command of the mystic ship of the Church during a period of severe storm, have flxel our mind and soul on that Divine Pilot who sits invisible in the stern and holds the helm. You see, O Lord, that the winds have burst forth on all sides, and that the sea is agitated and its billows roll with a mighty fury. Command, we beseech Thee, who alone hava th? power, tha winds and the sea. Restore to the human race that tranquil order and peace, which can be rightly so called that peace which the world cannot give. By Thy aid and impulse may men bring themselves back to the proper order, in which will be restored, as it should, piety towards God, justice and charity towards our neighbour, temperance in regard to ourselves, and p issions will be controlled by reason. May Thy kingdom come ; and may those who now seek with vain labour truth and salvation without Thee, understand that they ought to obey and serve Thee. There is equity and paternal clemency ia Thy laws, and to keep them Thou, spontaneously, wilt supply us with the capacity rendered ready by Tby grace. Tha lifa ot man on earth is a warfare ; but Thou Thyself look down on the battle— Thou help him to conquer, raise him up whea he falls, ana crown him when he conquers. And with these feelings in Our hearts, and with Our mind aroused to glad and firm hopes, we lovingly in God, as a witness of the favours of heavea, and as evidence of our good-will, impart the Apostolic blessing to you, venerab c brethren, to the clergy, and to the entire Catholic world. Given at St. Peter's, Rome, on the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, 1888, in the eleventh year of Our Pontificate. Leo XIII., Popb.