Recollections of Henry George in Ireland
Thomas Dawson
[Letters written to C.W. Silvernale of Hollywood,
California, 1936-1937, from Father Thomas Dawson, House of Retreat,
Inchicore, Dublin, Ireland]
12 October, 1936
I thank you heartily for your kind and interesting letters and its
various interesting enclosures. I am always glad to hear of my deal
friend Anna, whom I have always continued to call simply by her
Christian name ever since I knew her as a child in Dublin with her
parents about 56 years ago.
I am happy to know of so much good work going on in the "School"
of the real and true Social Science. I happened to learn lately what
the famous Father Couglin is really preaching. And I wrote at once to
congratulate him. I said there was nothing in his projects that would
hinder Henry Georgism. Assuredly a just money law is wanted, as well
as a just Land Law. Which Law will be the more difficult to secure?
Anyhow, all agitation and all true teaching in favour of the one will
be helpful to the other.
Progress and Poverty which you have down for study by the "pupils,"
is a splendid work, but it calls for rather prolonged study. I think
there must be many people who would more easily - for real want of
time, or form want of unselfish industry - read through the smaller
brook, The Condition of Labor.
I am very glad you like what I wrote in that little article about
Georgism. Certainly if I myself might have copies of it, I should
sometimes find it useful to send one to some clerical or other friend.
I say the same of Reminiscenses, published in the New York
Land and Freedom, November-December 1930.
It was wonderful that good old Bishop Nulty understood so perfectly
well the Land Question before ever he knew Henry George. He had
personal recollections of the evictions and clearances after the "famine
of 1847." My Dawson grandfather was one of the many evicted
tenant farmers of that time. I did not know Dr. Nulty personally
except by sight. I saw him in the Land League days in the Four Courts,
in Dublin, waiting very willingly to give evidence to show the need of
the League. He did not get the chance. The government did not wish for
any evidence of that sort.
As regards the Catholic position in regard of Henry George's
manifestly true teaching, I am always regretting that some of us, of
some importance, do not go beyond the preaching of sound general
principles. I am always desiring to hear it proclaimed that such or
such a particular act or custom is unlawful. Or again, that such or
such a new law or action would be lawful, and is indeed called for.
Well now, at what I may call this moment, the Pope has opening said
that the Banking system is bad and unlawful. But, even so, hardly any
notice is taken of so important a pronouncement.
Some one ought to challenge e.g. our learned professors to say
frankly what they have to say on this point.
God prosper the good efforts of men like you.
18 November, 1936
I am very much obliged to you for sending me so many copies of what I
wrote out for my dear friend, Mrs. Anna George deMille. I hope to make
good use of these documents. One must go certainly to a learned and
prominent Jesuit professor, who has at last come forward to show
sympathy with the cause of Justice. He is the sort of priest who has a
good claim to be heard. I would not of myself have got my name
printed, though I know it is useful to have a name of someone quoted.
I have used the words "at last," because I suspect that the
good Jesuit priest has been moved by the murders and insanities in
Spain. Certainly I am convinced myself that the lowest possible mob in
Spain or Ireland would never listen to the Russian teachings unless
themselves ill-treated and hungry.
I must thank you also for the interesting printed matter which you
have sent me. I admire especially Mr. Eckert's speech on "War and
Poverty." A man so intelligent and so frank does honour to the
House of Representatives. I hope his words will be widely read.
I am grieved by the death of Mr. O'Connor Hennessy. May he rest in
peace, after his good honest labours.
6 May, 1937
I have quite unexpectedly come into possession of a photograph quite
new to me. I mean that I had lost all memory of its existence,
although some friends had possession of it. I cannot say that I like
it, but as it was taken more recently than the one which you have, I
must send it to my Irish friend at 717, who must be making you as
Irish as herself.
I had a visit here last September from that very worthy good man, Mr.
Charles O'Connor Hennessy, of New York ("God rest his soul").
Brought up no doubt in a school without Religion where the 3 Rs and
cleverness are considered enough for all purposes, he was not a
Catholic: so his Catholic half-sister told me.
I mention this school idea to give one excuse for my mention of such
a mean thing as money! Over here in Ireland and England we priests are
always begging - trying to raise money by plays, concerts, whist
drives, etc. etc. etc. Just now in this particular spot we are doing
the best we can as regards the sum of 5,000 pounds, the proportion to
be borne, by us of this Catholic group, of the whole cost, (15,000
pounds) of a fine new school, twice as large as the poor old one. A
School built entirely by "Government" would not be
satisfactory to Catholic parents and priests, who know that God
Almighty is more important than any reading, ritin and rithmetic.
7 May, 1937
Before posting letter and photo, I am in receipt this morning of a
big book so very carefully packed.
I find it is one already mentioned between us. In a hasty look I see
that there must be a good deal of good sense and good "English"
in it, though probably without knowledge of "The Word made Flesh,"
our Blessed Lord Jesus Christ.
As a friend of Henry George and Michael Davitt, I am pleased to have
happened to light on p.82.
11 September, 1937
I am very glad to see very good Henry George doctrine in Mr. Eckert's
pamphlet. You mention a date concerning H.G. viz 1877-8. That must
have been, exactly enough, the date at which I had the privilege of
knowing him, Mrs. George and the two sons and two daughters, in
Dublin. After they left Ireland, I fear I met Henry George only once
viz. when I lunched with him and poor dear "Father"
Huntington in London in [blank in the original letter]. As for H.
George's letters to me, I think they are in a public library
(Brotherton Library) in Leeds.
In looking through the book of extracts (Word) which you kindly sent
me, I find collected together half a dozen statements already known -
by mean from Cardinal Manning to some poor atheist - agreeing in a
vague way with Henry George's plainly and fully expounded doctrine.
9 November, 1937
Your kind letter of October 17 reached me on October 27 by the air
mail. Mr. Eckert's pamphlet cam 3 or 4 days ago.
In your letter you were kind enough to send me a gift of one pound,
for which I thank you very heartily. I am very happy to hear in what
places of real education your children are. What a sad state poor
Europe is in - most uncivilized! All preparing at enormous expenses to
behave very much like the mad Russian savages. Or perhaps some would
say they are only preparing defence against the savagery which may
burst upon them at any moment. The inventions in our day are
marvelous. Even flying across the Atlantic. Comon sense does not keep
pace.
7 January, 1938
A temporary illness has caused my long delay to acknowledge with
thanks the kind greetings which it was a great pleasure for me to
receive from the friends so far away.
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