Onahan took for granted when he wrote to Brownson advising him of the results of the conference in St. Louis last Sunday that he was in the fullest accord with Archbishop John Ireland, who had been with Brownson in Detroit the previous week. Of course Brownson must have been made aware that the Archbishop had just before that conferred with James Cardinal Gibbons and was therefore prepared to act and speak advisedly as to his views on the subjects in question. That there was a change of view on some points growing out of a fuller knowledge of the situation and that especially on the independence of the Holy See and Temperance it was now considered best there should be an expression in the form of written papers. These facts Onahan inferred had been made known to Brownson as well as the reasons on which the change was based. At any events he so understood the case. Naturally he would have warmly favored and strongly insisted at the outset on the retention of these subjects, and only the strong representations made as to the wishes of His Eminence could have influenced him to yield his own earnest conviction that a failure to present them would have been a blunder. He is not so wedded to his own opinions that he should obstinately refuse to yield when urged to do so by influences and considerations appealing so powerfully to his instinct of Catholic loyalty. As to the temperance question, Onahan found Henry J. Spaunhorst who had represented the adverse view, the first to yield, and he did so most cordially. Hence Onahan could only conclude there would be no disposition to resent the action or dissent from the agreement in any other quarter. As to the technical objection and the etiquette or jurisdiction, he certainly did not suppose there would be difficulty on that score, especially when there was question of giving greater force and added life to the Congress. However, if he was mistaken, Onahan can only say that he acted in good faith and according to what he was lead to believ would be fully understood and readily acquiesced in. The importance of having the advisory committee composed of bishops also seemed manifest. With these explanations he leaves the whole matter. The issueand determination of it will now rest with others. :: III-3-c A.L.S. 3pp. 8vo.