Irish News

New Zealand Tablet, 1 May 1913, Page 39

Irish News

-GENERAL. Mr. and Mrs. Shane Leslie were in Rome recently and were received in special audience by the Pope. They were presented by Mgr. O'Riordan, of the Irish College. . ' : V, v ;-. - J" '*" Several employers were prosecuted recently for" failing to pay contributions for their workpeople under the Insurance Act. At Kilkenny the Dowager Lady Desart was again fined for refusing to comply with the Act. . ' ■'■■ /■'-: "'1 ; ;...::'-..' "'.. "

--The death occurred recently in London of Mrs. Ellen : O'Connell, widow of the late Mr. Daniel O'Connell, youngest son of the Irish Liberator. The deceased lady died in her sixty-sixth year. From 1853 to 1863 her husband sat in Parliament as member for Tralee.

From the return issued of the election expenses of the respective candidates in the recent Derry election, it is officially published ■'] that the expenses of Colonel Pakenham, the defeated candidate, were £515 12s, and Mr. Hogg, the successful Home Rule candidate, .£322 Os Id. * ~ ;" '

The Archbishop of Malta wrote to Mr. John Redmond inviting him to attend the Eucharistic Congress. Mr. Redmond replied that he felt highly honored by the kind invitation, but to his regret found it impossible, owing to his public engagements, to be present. ?? In Sligo Courthouse recently Mr. Henn, R.M., who has retired after a service of • twenty-five years, was presented with an illuminated address and a purse of sovereigns by his colleagues, the magistrates of the county and borough of Sligo, the solicitors, and a number of friends; Major C. K. O'Hara, H.M.L., presided, and made the presentation in a "short speech, paying a tribute to Mr. Henn. Alderman O'Donnell, the Mayor, referred to the many good qualities of Mr. Henn. The latter briefly replied, thanking his colleagues for their kindness.

THE DOWAGER COUNTESS OF KENMARE. Amidst abundant manifestations of public regret the funeral took place on March 5 of the Dowager Countess of Kenmare. The remains were conveyed to Killarney, where they lay in state in the private chapel of Killarney House until they were removed to the Cathedral next morning. At 10.30 Solemn Requiem High Mass was offered up for the soul of the deceased. His Lordship Most Rev. Dr. Mangan presided. The celebrant was Very Rev. Dean O'Sullivan, P.P., V.G., Tralee. The Absolutions were given by, the Most Rev. Dr. Mangan, and the interment took place immediately after in the family vault of Our Lady's Chapel in the Cathedral. ? . ...

. PROPOSED EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS. The proposal made some time ago that the Eucharistic Congress of 1914 should take place in Ireland is finding favor in influential Catholic circles, and it seems likely that the suggestion will be eventually put forward in some official form. To meet the objection made that the scheme would involve immense expense, it has been pointed out that if only one penny were subscribed by each Catholic in Irelandtaking the number at 3,000,000—a sum of over £12,000 would be secured. Apart from other obvious considerations, the fact that this year's Congress is being held in the island of Malta, and that it has already been held in Protestant England, it is very fittingly urged that it is time that Catholic Ireland should do something.

> THE ULSTER QUESTION. At a splendid Home Rule demonstration at Artane, Co. Dublin, Professor Kettle said they, had given Ulster every safeguard and concession, but they would not grant her a, divorce from the rest of Ireland. He agreed that the Home Rule Bill bore the London stamp, but said that it would grow in prestige and

success, that it would - be- for the welfare of every Irishman, and that it would inflict justice oh "none. Not only was there no opposition between national freedom and national prosperity, but political freedom was the only basis upon which they could build a solid and nrnc.r.or/\im nnl-inn T>V. „ "TT..," ' : V«-;._ti- ; '' piuopwvua ÜbiiiUu., „ XIID ;:.. \j iiiu.ll ~ MlwugjUli i WIM.MS.UOU.SeS, emigrant ships, famines, jails, and scaffolds: It suppressed every feeling of pride that ought to find a place in the hearts of the citizens, but the Home Rule Bill would reverse , that and plant a proper , pride of country in their people and among their exiled brethren.

• ■ DECEASED MAYNOOTH PROFESSOR ": : -~' : : ] ..,' ■ • - : HONORED. • t ■ - : Forty-nine years have elapsed since, on January 18, 1864, were laid to rest in the College cemetery, Maynooth, the remains of ; a distinguished priest and scientist, Rev. Nicholas Callan, D.D.; and,: at length', through the generosity of his Eminence - Cardinal Logue and a^number of priests of-his native diocese, a worthy memorial has-been set up to mark his grave. Born at Dromiskin, County Louth, on December 22, 1799,; Nicholas J. Callan matriculated in-Maynooth-in August, 1817, went through the ordinary and Dunboyne courses; and after his ordination proceeded to Rome, where he attended lectures' and obtained the Doctorate in Theology in the Sapienza University f ln September, 1826, he was appointed to the Chair of Mathematics; and Natural Philosophy in ; Maynooth, which -he- occupied till his death, , January ' 14, 1864. Dr. Lennon, his successor in office, writing' of him in the Centenary History of Maynooth College, says it was chiefly -as a man of science that Dr. Callan was known. "His merits were recognised far beyond the limits of his. college home. He devoted himself: particularly to experiments in electricity and magnetism, and made some exceedingly valuable original discoveries. ■

v" ST. PATRICK'S BIRTHPLACE. c Canon Fleming examines in the Westminster Cathedral Chronicle the vexed question of St. Patrick's birthplace, and maintains that the saint was born at Boulogne-sur-Mer. He says that if a census were made to-day of the Catholics inhabiting - the English-speaking world, it would be found that more than half the grand total would prove to be either the spiritual children of St. Patrick of Catholics with Irish blood in their veins, all of whom are indebted to the great Apostle of Ireland for the priceless gift of Divine Faith.' > .

PARTY. The annual sessilß| meeting of .the Irish Party was held on March 10 lrKthe House of Commons. Mr. Clancy proposed, and iff was unanimously passed-r- ---' That Mr. John E. Redmond be re-elected chairman.'

Mr. Farrell proposed, Mr. Molloy seconded, and it was passed unanimously—' That Captain Donelan and Messrs. P. O'Brien, E. H. Burke, and J. P. Boland be re-elected Whips.' w -- , Mr. O'Malley proposed, Mr. F. E. Meehan seconded, and it .was passed unanimously—' That Messrs W. Abraham, J. J. Mooney, and P. A. Meehan be re-elected hon. treasurers.' «.;V.?•-.... . ? ,

Mr. Flavin proposed, Mr. -Doris; seconded, and it was passed unanimously— That Messrs. W. H. K. Redmond, R. Hazleton, and T. Scanlan be re-elected lion, secretaries.' ?- . "?'?.?'. J ; ■ i: •

THE PARLIAMENTARY FUND. -V : The appeal, just issued to the people of Ireland by the National Trustees of the Parliamentary Fund, needs no words of ;; commendation (says: the > Irish Weekly). Our Parliamentary representatives have commended themselves to their constituents; they have won the admiration and applause of the wide world's peoples they have brought the cause of Irish National Self-Government not' merely to the verge of triumph, but to the point of assured victory; and the appeal now made by the Bishop of Raphoe, the Leader of the Irish Nation, and their patriotic colleague is not an. appeal for the Nationalist , Members : it is addressed to the People of Ireland on behalf of Ireland herself.

Last year the country's elected representatives gave of their own accord a magnificent subscription to the war-chest. Not - only did they :do their part, 'during a year calling for ; unparalleled sacrifices ? both I in' prolonged - and exhaustive attendance \in the House of Commons and in hard work in the \ British constituencies'; they contributed nearly £4OOO to the Home Rule Fund out; of their own resources: and they passed a great Home Rule Bill—' the best ever offered to Ireland ' — through the House of Commons ' by steadily-increasing, majorities'"; culminating in the glorious majority of 110. These splendid servants of the people and soldiers of Ireland now ask for no personal assistance indeed, they . a ? e ready to give towards the common fund; in former days when the sky was dark and there was scarcely a gleam of light on the Irish political horizon, the Nationalist M.P.'s fought on, steadfastly, patiently, perseyeringly, sustained by the confidence of their constituents and animated by the hope of brighter days for the cause of the land they loved and served with such devoted fidelity; then they sought for support from the country—and it was never denied: now the appeal is made under the circumstances proudly, even with pardonable exultation, set forth by the National Trustees. The response must far exceed anything yet achieved by Nationalist Ireland. Much has been done; but much must yet be accomplished. Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom.' It was an old taunt against the people of Ireland that they were enthusiastic but volatile—that they lacked strength of purpose and resoluteness of character. Now we can afford to laugh at the philosophic critics who drew false general conclusions from isolated incidents. The grit, the firmness, the invincible determination of Ireland in pursuit of a great object has been demonstrated before the nations of the earth. Let us keep on demonstrating this determination until the end of the chapter now within sight. We must not forget that the work of fighting the army of libellers in England who are 'financed by immense sums of money contributed by wealthy (English) Unionists ' cannot be abandoned for a day; and we are glad to find the National Trustees emphasising the vital importance of keeping the organisation at home in perfect fighting order. This appeal, they say, 'is probably the last we may have to issue for the Home Rule cause.' The response to this last appeal must eclipse all previous efforts. Let the work be begun without delay; for we are now making the great final charge against the enemies of Irish freedom.