American Notes.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVII, Issue 15, 2 August 1889, Page 2

American Notes.

Evebything seems of insignificance compared with the tenible catastropre in the Conemaugh Valky, Pennsylvania. The Valley is, at the particular point concerned, little more than a gorge, extending for some hundred yards in width between the Endless Hills, and thirteen miles in length. It was a centre of busy iniustry and contained a large population. At its head stood a reservoir, some three hundred ftet up the hills, covering 700 acres of ground, about two miles and a half in length, nearly a mile broad, and from CO to 100 feet deep. The water had been regulated for Borne time by a sluice, but lately the Company, keeping the lake for fishing and other purposes of amusement and pleasure, bad discharged the caretaker, and the water remained uncontrolled. The dam, nevertheless, had shown Bigns of weakness and alarm was felt in gome quarters concerning it. On the afterncon of Friday, May 31, the water of the reservoir, swollen by heavy rain that had fallen for some days, burst the dam and leaped with terrible violence into the valley below, lushiDg forward there in a wave from twenty io forty feet high, and at the rate of twenty miles «n hour. The results are not even easy to imagine. Houses and villages, and finally the town cf Johnstown w »re overturned and swept aw<iy, and thousands of people pensbed. Above this town, meantime, was a railway bridge that for some time withstood the torrent, and against it was piled an enormous heap of houses and the dehrisol bouses, carried down by the flood — some two thousand people, some carried there in the wieck of their dwellings, some who had scrambled there for safety, were scattered over this heap, when, from some cause or another, the dry wood caught fire, and the whole thing was burned, with its human victims, to the water's edge. The particular iociients related are very numerous, and are extremely pathetic. Others, however, are revolting ; such, for example, as the robbing of the dead by degraded wretches of the locality and roughs from Pittsburgh. Whole families perched together — or one member in some cases was left to mourn all the rest. A little child was seen kneeling with her hands up in prayer oa a plauk borne away by the flood ; a m.in w,ts found sitting in agony by the diift where his wife and child were bur.cd ; a young girl, barefooted, and clad alone in a petticoat and phawl, whs rt cognised as the belle of the place, and the daughter of a wealthy banker. Trie nuble deed of the engineer, Paike however must not be omitted. Seeing that the dam must go, he got on his hoise and galloped in advance of the wave warning the people to fly to the hills, and only escaping there himself when it was too late loi 1 him to co any more for others. Mes6ures for the relief of the survivors, and for the rebuild.! g of Johnstown are being taken m the States. The number calcula'ed to have perished is about 15,000.

The inquest on the body of Dr. Cronm, discovered in tbe catch basin ot a sewer at Lake View, near Chicago, and the arrests consequent on the verdict of the coronei's jury, have occasioned much excitement. Toe must important evidence given was that of Luke Dillon, a leading otlicer of the Clan-n-i-Gael, and who testified, with great apparent bitterness, against Mr. Alexander Sullivan. Dillon described the objects of the organisation to which he belonged as beirg to assist in establishing an Ingri Republic, in bringing about a fraternal feeling among Irisnmen in America, and in the elevation of the Irieh race. He denied that there was anything in his obligations that would conflict with his duiies as an Ameiican citizen— with the exception that it might possibly d'volve upon him to violate the i.eutinltty law?. He said that Dr. Cronin had told him he expected tliar the personal ambition of Alexander Sullivan to luleboih tbe Irish and American politics in Chicago would result in his, (Oronin's), death, and we at on to icstify as to the extremely violent language used by hullivan towards Cronin on the occaoion of a trial some two or tbite yeara ago, in which Sullivan had been prosecuted for the misappropriation of money, and (Jronin had been one of tae jurois. The witness attributed Sullivan's enmity to Croain to a feeling of personal revenge. He absolutely denied that the executive of tbe Clan-ua-Qael had auth' ritv to issue an older for the assassination of any ot the members of th< lr orgaois<ti. n, tbe extreme penalty being cx[ uluioii ou!j. The verd ct of ihe jury found that Alexander Sullivan, Danial Coughhn, Patrick O'Sulhvan, aid Woodruffe, alias Black. were either principals, accessories, or had had guilty knowledge _of the pot for Crtniu's murder. It also pronounced all secret societies such as that of the Clan-Da-Gael, not in harmony with, aod injurious to, Ameiican institutions. The principal inter; sfc in the matter, as thing) now are, centres in the innocence or guilt of Alexander Sullivan. It i-J, however, quoted as additional proof ot the evil of secret bocieties thai the Clan-ua-Gael has bed, at any late, shown to be distinguished by virulent hatreds and feuds among its members— such

deeds as the murder in question seeming bat the natural result. No section of the population of the States, meantime, are more anxious for the full revelation of the truth than the Irish-Americans, on whom — and more especially with respect to the Irish National cause, a stigma is attempted to be thrown. The trial is anxiously looked forward to.

The examination of O'Donovan Rossa in a libel action brought by him against Mr. Caesidy, the editor of the Catholic Ne?9S, has revealed the fact that he had received money from McDermott, the English spy, at a time when he seemed to know the character of the man, and had actually denounced him. The obvious conclusion is that RoEsa himslf was in the employment of the Government whose secret service money he had thus received. It is not, however, easy to persuade those who know anything of the man that be is anything more deeply vicious than a crank, and as excusably a vicious crank as possible owing to the treatment received by him in a British gaol. It is nrged that be was really taken in by McDermott notwithstanding the suspicions he entertained as to the man's true character, and took the money as a subscription to the skirmishing fund. The matter, however, at least lies open to doubt, and, in dealing with O'Donovan Bossa, due care should be observed. In any case, perhaps, the less anyone has to say to him the better for himself. Not, however, that we advocate the boycott.

The commemoration of the Battle of Bunker Hill has been carried out this year in Boston with greater eclat than usual. The especial occasion was the unveiling of two tablets erected in honour of the rank and file of the patriots v«bo fell in the great fight alluded to, It is particularly interesting to find that, among the names so recorded, many are unmistakeably Irish. The ceremony was performed by the Mayor of the city, and an eloquent oration was delivered by the Hon. John R. Murphy.

In the religious world much interest is felt in the admission to minor orders by Cardinal Gibbons of a young negro student of St. Joseph's seminary. The seminary was established to train priests for misssons among the coloured population, and the student alluded to will be the first of his race in whom the intention is carried out. He will also be the first negro priest ordained in the country, for, although there is another actually in existence, he was admitted to holy orders at Rome. Randolph Uncles is the name of the young cleric alluded to.

The spirit that is in the native American has recently bad an illustration in the cases severally of two private individuals, tbe one a young lady named Brady, residing at Philadelphia, the other a clerk named Shelten, living in Chicago. Miss Brady was overturned in a vehicle which she was driving close to a railway line, and was so pinned down that she was unable to move, though her head was almost within touch of the wheels of a train that passed by at the time, aud she did not know but that it must be run over. She, nevertheless, remained quite cool and collected, and showed no sign of fear. Shelten distinguished himself by seizing a mad dog in the Btreet where a school had just been set free, and carrying the brute raging in his arms a long distance until he was able to set it down in an enclosure where it could do no harm. Snch traits as these exhibited by private individuals, and treated by them as matters of course, can only exist among a great people.

The State of Minnesota has forwarded to Mr. Gladstone an address of sympathy signed by the Governor, Lieutenaut-Governor, Secretary of State, Auditor, Attorney-General, the complete Senate, and 101 out of 103 Members of the House cf Representatives. The following paragraph is especially valuable from the testimony it bears as to the manner in which Irish-Americans are regarded by their fellow-citizens. It contradicts in a v«ry striking manner many calumnious statements : — "Accustomed as we are to a system that guaiantees to each State the right of local sjlf-government, without impairing the powers of an an efficient general government, it is difficult for us to comprehend the fierce opposition to your proposal to allow a limited autonomy to Ireland. We look to the success of your policy as a great step towards the final settlement of the socalled Irish question on an enduring basis of justice. We feel that we have some right to give expression to our interest in snch a settlement, because of the presence amongst us of so vast a body of people of Irish birth and lineage. The Irish people in this country have shown their ready adaptation to our institutions, and in the course of a generation or two have become indistinguishable from other Americans, thus proving that under natural conditions their conduct affords no warrant for the charge of thdir enemies that they are inherently unfit for self-government. Your great contest is now approaching a crisis, and before you are cmbarassed by the responsibilities of power, we desire to tender to you ourassurances of good will and hearty sympathy,and, througn you. to offer like assurances to all friends of rational liberty in the Three Kingdoms, who have for so long a time, and under much discouragement, given you their loyal and steadfast support.' 1 A similar memorial has been forwarded from Wisconsin.

Laura Bridgman,a deaf mute, celebrated by Charles Dickens in his "American Notes," is dead. She lived to an advanced age, but had been from tne time she was two years old deprived, as the result of an attack of scarlet fever, of every sense, except that of touch. She was, nevertheless, well educated, took a lively interest in all that was going on, was skilful in the use of her bands, and generally intelligent beyond the average. She owed her instruction to Dr. Howe, an adept in the art of teaching the deaf, dumb, ar_d blind, and who devoted several years to her case. She was noted for her cheerful disposition. The British American Association has been distinguishing itself by sending round a circular protesting against the appointment of

Mr. Patrick Eganas Minister to Chili. Tbechief argument employed is that Mr. Egan is a fugitive from British justice. The result of this effort has, however, been only to bring tne Association itself into ridicule. It is generally agreed that the appointment of Mr. Eganis a very suitable one, and that, in any case, American citizens are under no obligation of tronbling themselves particularly to make smooth the paths of British justice— which, moreover, they have reason to regard in many instances as remarkably devious ways.

The attempt made again6t Catholic schools in the State of Massachusetts has proved a complete failure. A Bill has just been passed by the Legislature of tbe State approving cf piivate schools, and making it conditional only that the subjects required by law shall be studied there. The event is looked upon as a signal, and, as it is hoped, a final defeat of bigotry.

Chili, which is one of the most fertile wheat producing countries of the world, has hit upon a spirited plan for substituting for a very defective system of milling under which she labours, one that shall be proved the best of all. An association, formed for tbe purpose, offers a prize of 4000 dols for the best milling machinery shown at an exhibition of such to be held at Santiago next November. The Association, moreover, will defray tbe cost of the height of the machinery, and the passages of tbe men Beat to manage it, from any part of the world. The invitation is excitiog much interest among the manufacturers of machinery in the State?, who stand a good chance of carrying off the prize. The probabilities of an opening otherwise Becured to American trade are considered also of much importance.

Tbe Government of President Harrison shows a very different attitude towards the Behring sea question from that shown by their predecessors. Following immediately on the order of the Admiralty, that two English men-of-war should cruise in tbe sea, the U.S. steamers Iroquois and Adams have been ordered to reinforce tbe three vessels already on guard there, It is quite plain that Mr. Blame intends to act a different part from that played by Mr. Bayard, and England will learn that it is no longer open to her to treat the rights of the United States in the cavalier manner hitherto employed by her.

The Pastoral letter of the Bishops assembled in the fifth Provincial Council of Cincinnati, just published, gives among other things a very practical admonition to electors, as to the use of their privilege. "A citizen," it says, " will not discharge his duty to the community unless he conscientiously use his noble right of suffrage. He must appreciate his responsibility, and deem such use of this right to vote a duty of charity to his fellow-countrymen. He must not shirk it. He must intelligently study the it-sues, inform himFelf of their tendencies, and cast his vote according as he juc'gefit. The right to vote is not an inherent, inalienable right ; it is a trust given to each citizen by the community with the tacit understanding that it be used for the public good. Therefore to be careless ot the public good —much more to act against it, is to betray the trust, to trample on a Chrifatian duty of charity, and a crime agaiDst one's neighbour, and therefore sinful. To ignominiously barter one"t( vote, to accept a bribe for it, only one with the disposition of a pariah or a slave would do. The man who would tamper with votes and use bribery is an enemy to his country, and gives evidence of a spirit so selfish that words fail to stigmatise it." The Bishops also urge the claims of Catholic schools, and join with the Catholics of European countries in asserting the right of the Pope to a restitution of the Temporal Power.

A monument has been unveiled at Chicago to the memory of the policemen killed in the anarchist iiots. It consia's ot a statue in bronze of a policeman in unifoim, iv the attitude of addressing a crowd, and standing on a pedestal ot whitegranite suitably inscribed. It is to toe credit of the Irish American population ihar all those men who thus lost their lives in the support of law and order belonged to their body. The monument stands in the Haymarket Square, where the riot occurreJ. The ceremony of unveiling was performed by the son ot tbe officer Deegan, who was killed on the spot.

Among the general progress <sf the States it is strange to see that retrogression still lingers to some dtgree. In the Siate of Delaware, for example, the practice still exists of publicly flogging offend- rs— seven white men and rive negroes weie recently co treated there — much to the disgust of those who regard the reputation of the country as a whole, but then the untortunate foreigneis hired by means of employment agencies are frequently trea'ed in a manner little lebs to be condemned. Even the progiess and civilisation of the great Republic, thtn, have more than one blot upon their brilliancy.