A KERRY RECTOR ON HOME RULE

New Zealand Tablet, 26 January 1911, Page 153

A KERRY RECTOR ON HOME RULE

During the course of the general election the following letter was received by Mr. J. P. Boland, the Nationalist candidate for South Kerry, from the Rev. George McCutchan, the Protestant Rector of Kenmare. Mr. McCutchan is a strong Home Ruler; indeed, he is one of the two Protestant clergymen—the other being Professor Galbraith —who were present at the memorable gathering that assembled in the Bilton Hotel, Dublin, after the disestablishment of the Irish Church by Gladstone, when the Home Rule agitation first came in an organised form, mainly from the inspiration of Irish Protestants, and who have still adhered to the Home Rule cause. Soon after this historic gathering in Dublin, the Rev. Mr. McCutchan was transferred to Kenmare, where he was one of the most prominent figures in the memorable Kerry Election of 1872, which paved the way for the passing of the Ballot Act. In that election Mr. McCutchan supported the Home Rule candidate, Blennerhasset, against the landlords' nominee, Dease, and there can be no doubt whatever that his able advocacy of the cause of Home Rule had much to say towards the achievement of the triumphant success at the polls of Mr. Blennerhasset. Mr. McCutchan has never wavered in his opinion regarding Home Rule, as the following letter, addressed to the Nationalist candidate, will show , - ■ ■ The Rectory, Kenmare, Kerry 10th December, 1910. Dear Mr. Boland,— l am unable to be present when you meet your constituents, and desire to say why I will continue to support you. The rumor that an agent of Mr. Wm. O'Brien will contest your claim to represent South Kerry is not alarming, although it may be considered judicious to provide, against surprises. The operations of his Party are no longer secret. The voting in Cork, which returned Mr. O'Brien and his colleagues, has brought to light all that needs to be known. The Conservative voters of the city have given their support to one who is expected to do as much harm to the cause of Home Rule as any living man. They are entitled to give this support. No one can question their claim to vote as they please. And when the result was made known in Belfast an assembly of Orangemen there hailed it with prolonged cheering. They are within their right, and I should be the last to question it. But surely it follows that the position of those who received the cheers and the votes requires more careful attention. They parade the initials A.F.1., but might, I think, be more fairly described as the Faction. These men are the enemies of a cause which is dearer than any other to the hearts of Irishmen. They profess still to be Home Rulers of a sort, but they are not so regarded by the keen discretion of those who give them votes and cheers and money. They are cheered because of the injury they seek to do Home Rule. The long recognised leader of the Irish Parley and those who are pledged with him to its support, receive from Mr. O'Brien and his friends persistent and relentless hostility. In the phrase of a distinguished statesman—' Mr. O'Brien tries to drive -a wedge into the Irish Party.' The profession of these men to take Protectants under their protection is a transparent sham. We do not need their protection. I have for over thirty years lived in the midst of a population mostly Roman Catholic, and I have found them kind and obliging neighbors from whom no sign of persecution has ever been manifested. There is absolutely no reason to distrust them in the future. I believe there is not in Ireland a locality where a Protestant clergyman may more peacefully and securely discharge all his duties than in the County of Kerry. The time is close at hand when all Irishmen will be called upon to forget their controversies and live together m peace. I have no doubt that they will loyally respond to the call. Everyone now expects an Irish Parliament and self-government, and those who have had no politics desire its success. Within the last three days the Prime Minister of England gave his explicit promise that in the coming Parliament his Government will introduce a measure of Home Rule. _ The prospect by some, no doubt, is regarded with anxiety. But there are many more than ten ™ P™ of honest Irishmen who hail it with buoyant hope.— Faithfully yours, r GEO. McCUTCHAN.