The Archbishop of Melbourne

New Zealand Tablet, 11 August 1921, Page 19

The Archbishop of Melbourne

Dr. Mannix’s Reply to Tribute of Irish Hierarchy and Clergy

Before his departure for London, addresses on behalf of the Hierarchy and of the priests and people of Ireland were presented to Most ’ Rev. Dr. Mannix. (

• They mentioned the pleasure with which the people of Ireland had watched his triumphant vindication of the rights of the citizens of his adopted country, and expressed Ireland’s gratitude for his fearless and powerful championship of her natural God-given right to be free.

The proceedings commenced with a private farewell lunch to his Grace, at which the Most Rev. Dr. Harty, Archbishop of Cashel, presided.

There were also present Most Rev. Dr. Fogarty, Bishop of Killaloe; Right Rev. Dr. Cotter, Bishop of Portsmouth; Right Rev. Dr. Foley, Bishop of Ballarat; Right Rev. Dr. McSherry, Bishop of the Cape of Good Hope; Most Rev. Dr. O’Doherty, Bishop of Clonfert; Right Rev. Monsignor O’Grady, V.G.; Rev. Father Moylan; Rev. Father O’Meara, Very Rev. Canon Houlihan, Very Rev. Canon O’Reilly, Rev, Father Vaughan, Rev. Father Corcoran, Very Rev. Dean Keown, P.P., V.G., Clogher; Very Rev. Philip O’Doherty, P.P., V.G., Derry; Very Rev. P. Markey, P.P., Ardagh; Rev. M. Dolan, C.C., Kilraore; Very Rev. Canon Corbett, P.P., Cloyne; Rev. M. Browne, C.C., Cloyne; Rev. T. McGuckin, Cork; Very Rev. Dr. Kiely, P.P., Elphin; Rev. H. Brennan, Adm., Clonfert; Rev. Father Chrysostum, 0.F.M.; Rev. T. O’Neill, C.M.; Rev. Dr. Beecher, M.A.; Rev. Dr.'Browne, M.A.; Very Rev. Canon Lyons, P.P. (lion, treasurer); Rev. J. J. Russell, O.C. (hon. secretary). In replying to the addresses, Dr. Mannix, who was received with most enthusiastic cheering, said: I can assure you that I was never prouder in the whole course of my life than I am this afternoon, for the privilege and honor of getting a hearty send-off to Australia from those whom I love best and revere most — Bishops and priests, and, I may say, the people of Ireland. (Applause.) The Bishops and priests represent, not merely the clergy in Ireland; they also represent the laity as well. (Applause.) Therefore, I should, indeed, be hard to please if I did not feel proud. Many of you have come across the water to look upon me for the last time, for a period ( No, no )—and to bid me God-speed in my Ion" journey. , I accept your coming and greeting at their full value, because when you come ( to bid me farewell you come knowing who I am and what I am. (Applause.)

Open-Minded, Straightforward.

I am not one of those who conceal their views. I have not been one of those who have been standing upon any fence. (Applause.) Everybody knows who I am, what I am, and what I stand for—(applause)— therefore, when you come to greet me I accept that greeting in the spirit in which it is given; and I take back to Australia, my adopted home, the message of love and affection for myself and also the message for the Australian people that what I have constantly preached to them, and what ~ lave spoken since I left them, is endorsed by the Carina! Primate, the Archbishops, Bishops, priests and people ot Ireland. (Renewed applause.) Insidious Efforts to Divide Clergy and People. I have said that the priests and Bishops represent not mre y le c ergy of Ireland, but that they represent the people of Ireland also. That is a proud and happy thing to be able to say about Ireland, because. never, perhaps, were more insidious efforts made than at the present moment to drive a wedge between the Bishops and priests in Ireland, on the one hand, and the people of Ireland on the

.. A h T e b f n hatching some of these people as closely as they have beep watching me-(laughter and applauseiand I have noticed this, that in every move that has been made since I came to these shores by the British Govern ment-m every predicted peace and alleged negotiation^

there was always, as I thought and believe, the' hope of manoeuvring the Bishops, or some of them, or the priests, or some of them, into an impossible position, and getting them to deny Ireland’s full right to independenceputting the Bishops and the priests into one camp and the people into another.

Ireland’s Right.

I am proud to say that I am leaving Great Britain with this conviction, that all their machinations have failed —(loud applause)—and that from the highest ecclesiastic in the land, down to the humblest of the laity, taking them as a body, they stand all square’to Ireland’s full right of complete independence. (Renewed applause.)

For another reason I am glad that I can say that you represent the laity of Ireland, because when I came here, or was forced to come here, I was made the recipient of the freedom of almost every city and town in Ireland that could confer the freedom of a municipality upon me.

Many times since, they have written to mo expressing the hope that I could go over to Ireland to be the recipient of these honors; and if I could not go over they asked me to give them an opportunity of meeting me over here, and doing me the honor of presenting me with the freedom of those various towns and cities in Ireland.

Backed the Wrong Horse. y

I have kept putting them off. I had very little hope of going to Ireland at any time, because I saw that the British Government would not allow me to go to Ireland unless I went over to do their work, and I knew in my own mind that they had backed the wrong horse. (Loud applause.)

Therefore, I had little hope that I could get to Ireland ; and if I were to receive the freedom of these cities and towns it should be here on alien soil. Perhaps I was u rong; but I thought I should prefer to wait for a better and happier day, when I could go over to a free Ireland and receive the freedom of these towns and cities, and when there would be nobody to say me nay. (Applause.) JTieiefore, I asked them to bide their wait for happier days, and then it certainly would be my pleasure and privilege to receive in Ireland the freedom of the various towns and cities which they were anxious to bestow on me. (Applause.)

Returning as He Came.

From this gathering, therefore, I would like to convey to these various towns and cities my deep appreciation of the honor they conferred on • me, and to tell them of my desire to return to them another time and do what I can to meet them in a free Ireland. (Applause.) I feel, of course, as is only natural, the great privations of not being able to go to Ireland. I was anxious to see Ireland; but I was still more anxious not to sell Ireland. (Loud applause.) I begin my journey in a few days. t go back to Australia, over a great waste of water disappointed that I have not been to Ireland, and disappointed that Ireland was not in a position to give me the reception she would like to give, but still proud of the fact t at I go back as I came, unchanged and unchangeable. (Loud applause.)

People Not to Blame.

I go back with a message to the Australian people, and can say with confidence that if there are dreadful happenings m Ireland at the present moment, these crimes and outrages are not. to be put to the discredit or to the shame or the Irish people. (Applause.) in T„r A te w th ! m that in a day there could be pence Ireland. We hear a great deal about peace at this with ° f I' 0 P '?* er ’ and 1 should say lam close range tin most of th .f e peace talks and of these peace negotiaons whether they come from this side or from the other; but I know that in a day if England wants peace she can ptanse) ace ’ and ' e “ ndit ‘° are r<!ry si “P le - (Ap“ Britki! 6 day ' that E “f land ceases from British crime and' noonf 1 SS; “ there Can —* ‘hat afterWhat Stands , Between? 1 i -Nothing Stands between England and peace with Ireand nothing stands between the British Empire and peace with that little island but British pride and British

aggression. (Applause.) That I repeat. Therefore, I will be able to face the. Australian people without hiding my head. I go to them as I went originally, an Irishman to the -backboneproud to be an Irishman, and never as proud as I am now. (Applause.)

I will be able to tell them that the Irish people are lookipg for nothing except what they are justly entitled to that they are asking for nothing except for that selfdetermination to which nations great and small were declared to have an absolute right during the war. (Applause.)

Ireland’s Demands.

Ireland is only asking England to foot the bill. Ireland is only asking them to fulfil their promise. Ireland is only asking that pledges solemnly made should be redeemed ; and if they are redeemed Ireland will be contented and happy, and, I hope, prosperous, and there will be peace all round these shores a peace that will take place in England, Scotland, and even Wales. (Laughter and applause.)

If you listen to people over here you will find that they are harping over and over again upon the impossibility of establishing a Republic in Ireland. They consistently harp upon the fact that Ireland has declared for a Republic, and one would think when listening to them that if she didn’t ask for a Republic, why, almost anything else she might have.

Right to Republic.

Ireland has asked for a Republic. Ireland claims the right- to have a Republic, and Ireland is the only one, and the Irish people the only people, that have a right to say what Ireland wants and what Ireland will be satisfied with. While that is quite true, fundamentally, the essential thing is that when the Irish people have the right admitted and granted, and when they will themselves rule for the good of Ireland, they should not be interfered with from outside, whether in legislation of economics, or in any other way.

Irish People s Right to Choose Form of Government. So far as it is possible for any nation to be rid of any interference from outside —and it is not possible, absolutely—lreland has the same right as any of the others. The essential thing is that Ireland’s right to complete and full self-determination should be admitted.

If Ireland wants a Republic, that is Ireland’s business. Ireland is looking for a Republic; but if she were to change to-morrow and say she preferred a Kingdom, Ireland’s right to self-determination would be found in the Kingdom, just as well as in the Republic. Therefore, anybody who has any special antipathy to a Republic—anybody who bases his opposition to Ireland’s claim upon any particular form of government that Ireland has adopted—that man is trying to hide the real fundamental issue.

The Main Thing.

Does he admit or does he not that Ireland has a right to rule herself, like Belgium or Poland? Pin him down to that. (Cheers.) Don’t discuss the merits of a Republic as against a Monarchy, or an Empire, or any other form of government.

The mam thing is to get them to face •what they won’t face, namely, the right of Ireland, like Poland or Belgium -rule herself, just ns these countries rule themselves. (Cheers.) In Australia, in America, in Scotland, or anywhere I have gone, my claim has been, and is, that Ireland has this right; and until it is granted there will be no peace in L-eland; there will be no peace between Ireland ® n f land ’ and 1 h °P e there’ will be no genuine friendship between . England and anybody who can endeavor by withholding friendship to make England do her duty. (Loud cheers.) . J

Can Have Anything Else. i w,i They will tell you, too, that short of a Republic Ireand can get anything she wants— anything at all. r That is what we hear whispered about'by those that are supposed + r- f 6 m , n inner , circle and are able to ■ explore -avenues that probably are closed to you and me. T “S?® them dominion Home Rule—anymg at all within the Empire.” Now, ■I ? refer i‘to this

simply to say that, so far as I know, there has been no clear, firm offer of anything—l don’t say worth taking, but anything worth considering—absolutely nothing worth considering up to the present moment...

They talk of Dominion Home Rule. Well, there are some Australians here, and they know what Dominion Home Rule is.

No Partition.

They know, first of all, that in Dominion Home Rule we have nothing like Partition. England does not say to Australia that she should he carved up according to the sweet will - of the people in Downing Street. Australia is a unit within the Empire, and nobody at this side of the water would dare to say that he would partition or cut up Australia into sections.

To those people, therefore,, who talk about giving Dominion Home Rule, put the question, what about the Partition Act, or are they going to stand by partition or 'not? I would like a clear answer to that. I would like to ask them also when they speak of Dominion Home Rule do they mean that Ireland would have an absolute right to make her own laws without interference from outside?

What Do They Mean

When they talk of the Irish Parliament they propose to set up, do they mean that it would have exactly the same right to legislate for Ireland that the Parliament of Australia has to legislate for Australia? Perhaps they mean that, but I am not sure that they do.

I would like an answer to another question also. Are you aware that Australia has an army and navy of her own? When they talk of giving Dominion Home Rule to Ireland, do they mean that Ireland also is to have her own army and navy.

I don’t think Ireland is very anxious to rule the seas. (Laughter.) lam not sure that she wants to set up a big navy—(laughter)— the fact is there that Australia, that has no Imperial ambitions either, has her navy and her army.

Silent Work.

The Irish people have at last given up talking and sharing their confidences. They are silently doing their work, and they are doing it well. (Loud applause.) The Irish people, as far as I can judge, stand heart and soul behind President de Valera. (Loud and prolonged applause, the whole audience rising to its feet and cheering enthusiastically.)

When they are looking for peace and talking of peace negotiations, I can tell them where to go with the dove of peace. I can tell them where they can go, without wearing goggles. (Laughter and applause.) They have to go and negotiate with the only representatives of Ireland that are entitled to talk for Ireland; and at the present moment the only person entitled to talk for the whole of Ireland is President de Valera. (Loud applause.)

The Test.

I know, of course, that these people writ tell you that President do Valera holds the people of Ireland only with the help of the gunmen, as they call them. Well, perhaps that is so; but they have the opportunity of testing it at the present moment. - The elections are now on in Ireland, and T invite these people to show that the President does not represent Ireland. (Cheers.) Therefore, if I might appeal again to the British Government, I would say to them, give up' exploring all those avenues, and get on the main road—(applause)—give up all this hugger-mugger, as they call it in Ireland. Go straight to the only people that can talk straight to you. There you- will get your answer, whatever it is. If you are able to agree, there will be peace soon between the two countries; but if you are not, then,, deplorable though it may be, the: present struggle, I suppose, has to go on until another opening v comes.

England Will Be Compelled to do Justice.

But I am hopeful; and, indeed, confident, Dr. Mannix continued, that we are approaching a time when there must ' be peace; when the pressure of the whole world America and the rest of the worldwill compel the British people to do justice to Ireland’s case, and understand it, and knowing it, -then to do - justice to Ireland, - and make

such arrangements as will be consonant with the principles they preached during the war, and consistent with the demand of full and complete nationhood, and at the same time provide for the security of the British Empire, so far as that security can be maintained.

I believe that there is nothing whatever incompatible between the full concession of Ireland’s claim to absolute and complete nationhood and the security of the British Empire, so far as it has a .right to be secured.

No Difficulty.

There is no difficulty whatever about it. The Irish people know their own business. (Applause.) They have their wits about them just as well as Englishmen, and they are able to face the facts as well as other people.

The Irish people are not looking for something that is impossible. They are not a people who are not prepared to give anything that can be legitimately asked, and they can make such arrangements between these two islands by which Ireland, will be free and England secured so far as that, security can bo devised. (Applause.)

Concluding, his Grace said: I am delighted to have this opportunity of welcoming you —welcoming you for your own sake and also for all that you stand for and represent. I thank you for coming, and I thank the priests for the gift they have brought me, which I shall always treasure in far-away Australia. f

Eternally Grateful.

I remain eternally grateful to those in Ireland who have sent me messages or have personally called upon me. I am also extremely thankful to those who in England and Scotland have made my sojourn as pleasant as may be under the circumstances. I join with you in praying for an early peace for Ireland and Great Britain, in which we have the disadvantage of assembling to-day. (Loud appluse.)

Gifts Presented.

Amongst the gifts presented to the Archbishop on behalf of the Irish clergy was a beautiful lace rochet and a magnificent cope. The former was made at the Presentation Convent, Youghal. The cope is entirely of Irish manufacture, the wealth of embroidery being the work of the girls of the Lace School, Convent of Mercy, Dublin.

During the presentation, songs , were contributed by the Most Rev. Dr. O’Doherty, Bishop of Clonfert, and Rev. Father Browne (Cloyne). At the conclusion, the “Soldier’s Song” was given, and honored in the customary manner.