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. :: IX-1-g A.L.S. 7pp. 4to.