THE lif`CA_NN CASE.
rTo THE EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR.1
Sir.,—The M'Cann case will, I hope, open the eyes of the English public to what the Irish Protestants may expect under Home Rule. They will be tolerated as long as they keep to themselves, though will probably find it impossible to obtain posts in the public service; but as soon as a mixed marriage, or a case of alleged. proselytism, &c., arises they will have no hope of justice or fair play. Mrs. M'Cann is legally married according to the law of the land, but the Pope pronounces the marriage illegal, and insists on the Irish Roman Catholics ignoring the law of the land when it con- flicts with his law. This would be a simple matter if it rested there, but it does not 111`Cann, with, it would seem, the support of some eminent Roman Catholics and Home Rulers, makes use of both laws in turn as they serve his purpose : he repudiates Mrs. M`Cann because the marriage is invalid and she is not his wife ; he claims the custody of the children because they are born in wedlock and he is their lawful father. I do not think that even the Pope has ever laid down that the putative father is entitled to custody of illegitimate children and may take them away from the mother, keep them where he chooses, and refuse the mother not merely access to the children but information as to their whereabouts. He insists on the law of the Church in dealing with his wife, and the law of the land in dealing with his children. And there is no word of protest against this by the leaders of the Homo Rule Party.—I am, Sir, &c., M.A.
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