CARDINAL MORAN'S TRIBUTE TO THE LATE SIR ROBERT DUFF.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXII, Issue 50, 12 April 1895, Page 9

CARDINAL MORAN'S TRIBUTE TO THE LATE SIR ROBERT DUFF.

(Sydney freeman, March 23 )

The Cardinal-Archbiebop of Sydney, addressing the crowded con. gregation in St Mary's Cathedral on Sunday last, said he had intended Bpeaking to them on the apostolate of the great saint whose feast they were keeping that day, but instead of dwelling on a theme of joy, redolent of victory and triumph, their thonghts were unfortunately turned to a sad event, which had thrown not only their own Colony, but the whole of the Australian continent, into mourning. They had lost their worthy Governor. Less than two years ago he came to them as the representative of her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen — he came with the fulness of vigour and energy. Now the lid was closed on the coffin, and in a few hours, amid all the pageantry of a public funeral, his remains would be consigned to the tomb. It was meet that he should be laid to rest amid a pageantry expressive of a people's sorrow. In mourning the Governor, who had been snatched away by the hand of death, few, perhaps, would give consideration to the distinctive merits which his personal career presented. They thought of him rather as the representative of her Most Gracious Majisyand that great Empire of which Australia was an integral portion. Yet they should bear in mind that before his elevation to the high position in New South Wales, he had led an honourable career, and established a reputation for patriotism, uprightness, and integrity. They Bhould remember bis long Parliamentary service before he came amongst them, during which he was a sterling and undoubted chsmpion in that great Liberal party whose banner bore the motto " Justice to Ireland," for the past thirty years. During those thirty years the education •ystem in Ireland had been remodelled, schools of industry had been Btarted, the Protestant Church in Ireland hud been disestablished, the Royal University of Ireland had been founded, and there had been a great reform in the land laws. For these and other measures the dear Knd of the West was indebted to the great political party of which the late Governor of New Bon<h Wales was an enthusiastic and devoted supporter. But in the sorrow had fallen upon the

Colony, their grief was not for the individual alone, no matter bow distinguished his merits migbt be. They mourned his death because be was the representative of her Most Gracious Majesty and the great Anglo-Celtic Empire, This Empire was in many ways unique in the history of the world, with its command of the seas, its widespread colonies, and the unrivalled influence of its language and commerce. Australian interests were closely united with the interests of the Empire, and in Australia they enjoyed a freedom of which any nation might be proud. Owing so much of their peace and pros* perity to their connection with the Empire, it was only natural that Australia w uld share every sorrow that cam 9to the head of the Empire. There was nothing in the Colony to disturb us in oar pursuits or cause uneasiness in commercial cire'es, and peace reigned supreme in our midst. There was no fear to be entertained in regard to invasion from foreign lands. No matter how warß might be raging in other countries, Australians had no occasion for panic, as they formed part of an Empire that had always held its own. Britain might be called the body of the Empire, and Ireland and Scotland the wings, and it was those wings that had enabled her to win most of her renown in her eagle flight. The man they lamented had gone before the tribunal of the Eternal Judge, and that tribunal before which each ont would some day have to appear. But how consoling was the knowledge that that Judge was infinite in Hiß mercy and love. His mercy was beyond anything that the human heart could conceive, and His love was beyond any measure that the hnman intellect could devise. They would be judged according to their deeds. They should not forget to unite with their fellow-colonists in expressing sympathy with the excellent family in their terrible trial. They should pray that God would giva those in the shade of lorrow strength to bear their affliction, and to this prayer they should add the hope that God would reward those who had felt the fall force of this blow a hundredfold with the blessings of His love for their resignation to His holy will,