"MAGNUM BONUM" IN REPLY:

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1662, 14 September 1887, Page 2

"MAGNUM BONUM" IN REPLY:

TO THE EDITOR

Sir, — Your correspondent "Presby terit>n"io yoar issao of the 12vh B&ys it is a pity I do not nae "more logic and ar^ ument and put them into fewer words." What a pity he does not know what he is writing about Ido not know how I can use logic without argument, or argument without logic. Presbyterian is at liberty to suppose what hs likes aboufc me I certainly do think that any man who writes fl > bitterly against the just demands of Irishmen m Ireland caunot possibly have any sympathy with their juat daraands here. If Me Purnell thought Home Rule bad for Ireland, he mutt think it equally bad for New Zealand. Bat does Mr P. think the present education system bad ? ; On the 15th February 1886, he thus wrote ; " The fact that an address so foil of beautiful sentiments and expressions should be marred by a few sentences that belie its nobler assertions, is itself, an overwhelming proof of what a one sided eduction may do even with a teacher so truly enlightened and bo truly eloquent as OirJinal Moran." The Cardinal wanted jastioe to Catholics as regards education, and, he had him* self received a Ca'holio' edcoation, whioh Mr P. considers one-Bided and liiferentially bad ; but what has occurred sine* then to alter Mr P's. opinion ? Nothing that I know, except a dissolution of Parliamenc I oertainly feel satisfaction at knowing that Mr Walker never diapl yed a bitter feeling to Home Rule, The remark about the jelly fish is hardly worth notice. I may tell "Presbyterian" that a certain long-eared animal was never known to say anything against anybody except on one memorable occasion, and that animal knew about as much loglo as " Presbyterian." What Mr Walker thinks about Home Rule is a matter of comparative indifference to me— he end every one has a right to his own opinion. He may disapprove of it for aught I know, but he does not abuse and insult those who demand it. •♦ Everybody " knows that the Catholic Churoh m Ireland is strongly m favor of Home Ra'e, and "everybody" knowß the fierce attacks made on all connected with the movement by Mr P Further everybody who knows anything about the matter, knows that Catholicism and Irish Na tonality are, at this time at all events, absolutely inseparable. Tho:e extreme men wh< na mouthpiece Mr P. if, always pronuuece Home Rule, Rome Rule. I have nothing whatever to say against block votes, it is Mr P.'s friends who have. If the Catholics of AshborfcoD vote for Mr Purnell who spoke of themselves and their countrymen m the following language i hay would deserve the contempt of the whole colony. Mr P. says "It is not the educated, the induatrious, the lawabiding and loyal section of the Irish people who are clamouring for Hojoae Hole, but the shiftless, i^noran*', and disloyal Bsotion." t cannot qiicts any more now. The Bishops of Dnblio and Oaahel are ignorant and disloyal ; I cannot devote more space to " Presbyterian." Now for a few remarks on ''Justice's" letter. Ha says I give vent to an extraordinary fl w of afoot ion for the Catholic electors — bhi f , Sir. is sltnp'y a deliberate misabatement. I may say if Justice put his real name to his ill-tempered effusion it might appear that, he was writing to Mr Pmnell's order. He ehould remember his gass wndows. Mr P. did not a>y he was m favor of giving grants to Catholic schools; his published address P'ovei t^at. "Justice" accuses me ol b-iiog v ltrnthful, and alanderoua. I will uot baody personalities with him — m that particular why he would distance me. I will, however, on a future occasion, if you permit m«, give ample proof of my veracity. No doubt, with that frankness whioh his letter indicates. " Justice " says he never heard | Me P, speak dlsreepectfnily of Oath lies, ' but I ask has he. ever read any insulting j remarks on that subject 1 He does not literally speak, but he writes with greatest disrespect of them, and sends his calamaies on the wings of the preßS. I have displayed no zeal, blind or otherwise. I made a blight mistake abont Mr P. convening a meeting Be tried to do bo, but owing to the good feeling, and good sense of all sections of the community, especially Irish Protestants, he signally failei- Does he deserve any thanks for that ? Suoh is the veracity of v Justice." C1 Justioe " sneers at Mr Walker because he Is "all things to all men" Perhaps ho is not aware h«t a greater than be, the Apostle Paul reoommends the same thing. It seems to me that "Justice" thinks he and his party have all ihe ideas and all the backbone of the colony among them. They ought to allow a little Freetrade m those things. The last paragraph of "jJußtioe'a" letter, indeed nearly the whole letter, is simply abuse. I decline to deal m that artiole. Mr Purnell did support Mr Sanndera strongly, andjthat six days after a tirade ■ 'abuse against tie Oitholio Church. I do not intend to remove the " veil " for the gratification of "Justice," but I will Bay I never was a supporter of Mr Saunders. The letter of " Justioe "is long, and my reply is short, for this rea son : I do not care to waate yoar spaoo m replying to twaddle ", I have picked out all that seemed like argument, and that was very difficult, and replied to that. The twaddle and the abuse ard not worth notice. — I am, etc., Magnum Bonum.