American Notes.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIX, Issue 27, 3 April 1891, Page 3

American Notes.

The reported death of Father Craft, the Indian missionary, has proved to be untrue. The missionary was dangerously wounded by an Indian who stabbed him in the back, piercing cne of his lungs, and his life was despaired of. He has, however, ice<mred. Il issaid the Indian acted under the influence of panic, and was not account .ble for, or, indeed, aware of, hfs deed. The wounded missionary continued for some time to fulfil the duties of his sacred office among the dying, and had just given absolution to a young soldier who sought his aid, when he himself became unconscious, and at the same time a fugitive Indian was clinging to him for protection. Father Craft denies the responsibility of the military for the slaughter that took place, and declares they acted only in self-defence. The squaws were not distinguishable in the fight, in which, indeed, they werp boldly taking a part. Father Craft and other missionaries still maintain that the hope of the Indians lies in their being transferred to the care of the War Department.

Foreign workmen have of late been showing to some disadvantage in the United States. On New Year's Day, for example, a numerous mob of Hungarians attacked the men employed in a steel factory near New York, and more recently a mob of Italians behaved riotously in New Jersey. Something more, therefore, than the interests of protection may prejudice Americans against immigrants frsm European populations. They evidently bring with them across the ocean something of an unruly spirit.

An outcry, to the effect that Mr. Blame's policy regarding the Behring Sea question was due to his anxiety to catch the Irish vote, has been traced to Mr. Cleveland and hia followers. The crowd referred to naturally suspect others of adopting tactics that they themselves have employed. Mr. Blame's determination has been to protect fisheries that, owirg to excessive working, have been largely reduced and are in danger of complete exhaustion, and his appeal to right is abundantly supported by evidence. His contention ip sufficiently justified, without any ulterior object.

A violent storm which occurred in New York on the night of January 24th played havoc with the telegraph post" and deranged the whole electric apparatus of the city. To prevent fatal accidents the electric light companies wore obliged to cut < IT their cnrrrnts> and on the next eight the streets were in darknes*. Many p 'ople received severe shocks from coming in contact with disr larvd wires, and, in on" instance, a hors ■w is killed. Fot Innately no hu nan hvos were sacrificed.

In reply to cer.ain questions put to him 1)7 a n-'.vipap'r in I'niladelphia, Cardinal Gibbons has expressed trs belief tha- the Republic; will last for another hundred years ;— tint the gieatost peril to tbr> country id its departure from tho^ Chris ian principles upon wh-ch its laws and institutions are based, an 1 tint there is no d mger tint a change of government will .mas from thi investments of foreign capitaln-tn und syndicates. His Eminence adls that he looks upon the influx of capital as a benefit to larg» areas of the undeveloped continent.

The rapid growth of a Syrian population in New York has mtde it necessary to provide those Catholics among them who worship according to the Maronite rite with a sepaiate eh ipd. This 13 the second chapel devoted to the use of tho people in questio „ those of the Syro-Greek rite having had theirs for more than a year. Ancient Greek and undent S) riac are the ie<>pective languages of the different rites. Each has also iis own priest,— Father Abrahams for tho Syro-Greeks, and Father Peter for the Maroiutes.

A rather famous resident of New York has recently passed away in the person of one Mr Dmiel Murphy, who, when a mere lad, some sixty years ago, had to make hid escape from the: County Kerry, owing to his entanglement in some politic il movementtreasonable or patriotic as it may be differently regarded. Mr Murphy all his life remained faitnful to his early principle, and some years ago had a tomb prepared for his remains, on which were prominently inscribed the rather remarkable words, '■ To out -list the British Empire." Ho had amassed a large fortune, and, as a pro-perty-owner in the city, was notable for his kind and charitable method of dealing wi'h bis poorer tenants. He had been blind for some years, but continued active in attending to his business. Hid death is much regretted.

A practical contradiction of Mr Henry George's theory seems to be afforded by the condition of things in New England. An abandonment of farms in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont is

almost general, agriculture tber.\ notwithstanding the proximity of great markets, being found hardly to nfford a living. The explanation is said to be that Ibe easy means of transport bring the farming districts in question into competition with the mo^e fertile lands of Western States, and that they are not able to sustain it. It seems plain, however, that the single tax could not be successfully applied io the districts referred to.

A marked contrast to certain members of the house to which he bslongs is furnished in the person of Mr. Charles Jerome Bjnaparte, grandson of Jerome, brother of the great Napoleon, by his first and only true marriage, that with Miss Patters in, of Baltimore. Mr Bonaparte, who is a leading member of the Bar, is also a prominent member of the Catho'.ic Church, and one ever ready to exert himself in her service. He has recently responded to an invitation to deliver one of a course of lectures to a young mend society in Boston, taking for his subject an authoiitative utterance made some thirty years agj by a New York journal. The prediction in question was to the effect that Catholicism in America was destined either to total destruction or complete change, owing io politicil equality, a public system of Protestant education, and sectarian tolt ration. Ie showing the fallacy of the prediction Mr. Bonaparte appealed to the immense growth of the Church in the United States, and argued that liberty, as represented by American institutions, was good for her. Among the English-speaking peopl°s, hr> said, the Church had gained ground, from the large measure of individual freedom, under a popular Goverome t, enjjyed by them. He went on to point out the difference between the spirit that actrated the people of America, and that of those ephemeral republics which the century bid seen rite and fall in Europe, concluding an able lecture by claiming that no American could be at once a good Catholic and a bid citizen.

Another lecture of the same course was delivered by Archbishop Ryan of Philadelphia. The subject was " Our Christian civilisation and how to perpetuate it," and, in the hands of the eloquent lecturer, who ranks high among American orttors, it receive 1 admirable treatment. A passage considered especially remarkable was thai in which the most rpv sneaker c >mpir d the chief contest of the day 10 the- glarti itorial fights of old. " Not the 80,(HJO men and womea that thf old coliseum held, h > mid, bu a\] humanity are the spectators. The gla iiators confront eirh other They are Capital aid Libo'ir. They glare into each other's eves. They close in deally oombat. They slacken for a rnoint nt th ur awful g-asp, draw "fl from each other, brae them, elves for another charge, when suddenly Christianity, like tnemoak of oil, st?psin between. To the gladiai or Caritalshe shows his absoluts d-'panile icy on his bro her Lib -ur, aril urges on him jus'iee aid mv»ii mimity. I' 'the glaliator Labour sh"> shows his 1 i|i»p! n ■"!■ 1 >f in? b" >' her C 'p'.K'. and 0011 isH a him to patience and regnal ion to <J>d s will. Then •j'ki joins fie hands of batli, in t niMiarn • i f t " ■' i i.l >f Heaven and Karth, tie m^irc ■ and O'Viu r (,f ail richc who wis iso tee poor mi 1 ), Christ, working at tne

cai pewter's bench.'