OUR VISITOR.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIII, Issue 29, 15 November 1895, Page 18

OUR VISITOR.

Michael Davitt has won golden opinions and wonderfully impressed all who have met and hesrd him since his arrival in New Zealand Many went to hiß lectures with the idea that their curiosity would be gratified by the sight of a halfconverted political firebrand and an irrational labour advocate All cam 1 away from his addresses with the conviction that they had listened to a highly-cultured, well-informed, eminently moderate gentleman. We have had the great pleasure of listening to the distinguished Irishman in ordinary conversation and have heartily join d in the applause which greeted his pubic utterances. (. ne cannot help feelins, at all times, that truth and principle aTe ever before his mind. Whether ho pleads the cause of Ireland or proposes his remed'c for social troubles, intense earnestness, begotten of love of truth and principle, characterise his manner and speech. We can, as we writo, speak of Dunedin and the southern towns. All who have heard him are, we believe without exception, of opinion that an unselfish patriot, an intellectually and morally strong man has visited our Colony. His advent will dispel prejudice and intensify the desire that justice should be done to a long-suffering people. Possibly a tinge of self might make his tour a greater financial success. The evident absence of self has, however, without doubt advanced the first object of his mission, We are, unfortunately, too much accustomed in the history of nations to those who " occupy public places with private spirits," " who set kingdoms in the fire that thiy may roast their own venison in the flames." Hence when an earnest man with the hall matk of unselfishness clearly stamped on his honest face comes the way, people stifle misconception, listen with interest, and are readily convinced when sound reason calls upon them to lay down preconceived notions. If Michael Davitt returns, as we have reason to think he will, in three or four years, he will meet with even a heartier reception than is now being accorded to him. He has made many friends. It is an evidence of keen appreciation, of sterling honesty, as well as a sign of the times that not a single newspaper has attacked Michael Davitt since he landed in Australia. In common with many of our fellow-citizens , we noted and admired tbe earnestness of the sincere Irish patriot and the sincere lover of humanity. We had also reason to note with pleasure the earnestness of Mr Daviit in the matter of Catholic education. He confesses and does not deny that he is enthusiastic in the cause of Catholic education. The boys of the Christian Brothers' school, Dunedin, will long remember a visit, all too short, of the distinguished Irishman to their halls. Addressing the lads, he complimented them on their appearance and power of entertaining, thanked them for their welcome, and warmly eulogised their teachers. They were, he said, in excellent hands, and should avail themselves to the utmost of the great advantages which the well-tried and high class system of the Christian Brothers always carried with it. He exhorted them to persevering industry. Overindulgence in football and cricket to the neg'ect of school duty was seen to bring remorso in after life. Mr Davitt spoke of tie Old Land as being under a deep debt of gratitude to the Christian Brothers, who were in the forefront of the educational bittle. He called them " the most successful educators in English speaking countries." At Home they taught their pupils the true history of their native land ; at the Antipodes they filled their pupils with a great love for the land of their forefathers. Lovers of the Old Land, then, were under great obligations to the devoted Christian Brothers. Mr Davitt also warmly congratulated toe Dunedin Catholic people in having their g'rls taught by the Dominican Nuns, who, as educators, were held at Home in highest appreciaton. The greatest educational needs should be satisfied by the intelligent work of these most successful teachers. Mr Davitt will everywhere in the Colony behold the same good work bearing the same glorious fruit. Mr Davitt will fLid throughout this fair land flourishing Catholic schools, erected by struggling people, a'ongside the pampered palaces of godlessness. He will describe at Home the education struggle at the Antipodes. A cause of great regret is that he has not met the late patriot Bishop of Dunedin, and fearless champion of the sacred cause of Christian schools. He will meet nuinbois of devoted men and women who carry on the great work, and he will bo able to disabuse those at Home who, otherwise well informed, seem to know so little of our country, of the idea that "the New Zealand sys'em is fairly satisfactory." The keen mind of our visitor will take

in all the injustice Jwhich Catholics have been compelled to meet. He will see, doubtless, the reasons which actuated the fearless Bishop Moran to call it a system of " tyranny, oppression and plunder."