Freeman's Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1850 - 1932), Saturday 24 November 1888, page 5


CARDINAL MORAN AND THE FREEDOM OF DUBLIN.

THE FIRST ECCLESIASTIC ON THE KOLL OF HONOUR.

The Corporation of Dublin have done a graceful and a politic act in resolving, as they did with unanimity (says the Dublin Feeeman), to bestow the freedom of the capital upon Cardinal Moran, When the Corporation of Dublin pay the highest compliment in the power of the city to Cardinal Moran peisonally, the aldermen and councillors also place on record their acknowledgment to the Holy See of the honour done to the country in the selection of Irishmen

for the exalted office. It ia very notable that the resolution proposed by him was seconded by a Protestant, the High Sheriff of the city, Alderman Winstanley. The liberality of. the Dublin Corporation could not have a more striking illustration than that afforded by a Protestant thus taking so prominent a part in placing the name of the first ecclesiastic, a Cardinal of the Catholic Church, on the roll of honorary Freemen of the Metropolis. Councillor Dawson movad ' that the honorary freedom of the city of Doblin be conferred on his Eminence Cardinal Moran, who is temporarily resident amongst us, in recognition of his known love of country, his exalted station and great learning.' Mr. Dswson said the Irish poople were in these days lectured about their disloyal attitude towards the Holy See, but they could point to Cardinal Moran and to his works in proof of the contrary. His Eminence had gone out of his way to express his deep sympathy with the people of Ireland, and bio ap

proval of the measures they had taken to secure the right to make the laws of their own country in the Irish capital. When Cardinal Moran went back to Australia he would again use his great powers to forward and promote the cause of Irish national independence. The High Sheriff (Alderman Winstanley) a Protestant member of the council, in seconding the resolution, said the freedom of the city had been conferred on 13 persons, of whom eight wore Protestants and five were Catholics. Tho Lord Mayor (Mr. Sexton, M.P.) said that ho did not say that he accepted all the public acts of the Cardinal or all the worda ho had uttered, but he was satisfied from his public words that ho regarded the cause of Ireland from the point of view of a people and not from the point of view of a class; from tho point of view of the interests of Ireland and not of any other country'. The motion was carded unanimously,