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London, Ontario. March 12th , 1917. The Honorable C.J. Doherty, M..P.,
Minister of Justice,
Ottawa, Ontario. The Honorable T.W. McGarry, M.L.A.,
Provincial Treasurer,
Toronto, Ontario. The Honorable Charles Murphy, M.P.,
Ottawa, Ontario. Honorable Gentlemen:- The people of Ireland have been
again denied self-government by the British Parliament.
Through their representatives, the Irish Nationalist
Party, they have sent forth an appeal for assistance in
the struggle for their constitutional rights. They
address themselves to the children of the Irish race in
the Overseas British Dominions, and in the American
Republic, and to the lovers of freedom everywhere. Under the political system prevailing
in Canada and in Ontario, you, Honorable
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Gentlemen, have been singled out to represent the Irish
Catholics in federal and in provincial political affairs.
They have no other recognized political leaders, no other authorized political spokesmen.
Not as Bishop of London, but as
one of those whom you represent in political life, I
write to inquire what, if any, direction you have to give
to your constituents in the present crisis, and when we
may expect to hear from you. This letter, and any reply you
may see fit to send to it, I shall reserve the right to
consider as public documents. I remain, Honorable Gentlemen, Yours faithfully,
(Sgd.) M. F. Fallon. Bishop of London.
Bishop Michael Francis Fallon wrote this letter after the Irish had again been denied
self-government by the British Parliament. As Charles Joseph Doherty, T. W. McGarry
and Charles Murphy all politically represent the Irish Catholics in Canada on a provincial
level, Fallon asks them in what political direction they are going to lead their constituents.