Onahan, William J.: Chicago, Illinois to Archbishop John Ireland: St. Paul, Minnesota, 1890 August 25

Onahan was extremely disturbed by Ireland's suggestion of distrust at the outcome of the proposed (Columbian Catholic) Congress. Ireland's decision will govern and control him; if Ireland withdrew his support the congress would fail. He discusses the grounds for the distrust; the congress must not be a mass meeting. He assumes that each representative, priest or layman, would be accredited by his ordinary. The present committees are pro tem; the permanent committees should include bishops and priests, besides laymen. He gives a blue print of the mechanics of the congress. The American Catholic Congress was a happy event; it exercised a profound moral influence on the country. If Ireland will lead the front of the battle, Onahan will follow; if Ireland withdraws, Onahan will give up the project. (In Group VI folder; a corrected first draft.)