When the cheering after the Cardinal’s few words of thanks given above had ceased, His Grace the President rose and said: “I have yet one more duty to perform today, my Lords and Gentlemen, and that is to hand to Cardinal Newman a present from the Catholics of Australia which they have requested me to present to His Eminence. (Cheers.) I think this is especially a fitting occasion to discharge this duty, and, so to speak, to bring the Catholics of England and the Colonies together; for when the Holy Father conferred the dignity of Cardinal on Doctor Newman, he struck a note which was echoed not only throughout Great Britain and Ireland, but throughout the Colonies as well, and everywhere where the English language is spoken. This is the first time a present of the sort has come from the Catholics of Australia; and although I received it some months ago, I thought it well for this reason to keep it until a suitable public occasion, such as this seems pre-eminently to be, should occur, on which to present it to His Eminence. Let me say further, that the movement in connection with this presentation has not been confined to Sydney or New South Wales, or to any particular class. It was a spontaneous movement, participated in by all classes throughout the island, and in many instances the mite of the poor was willingly given towards it, as is shown in a letter received by me from Mr. Archer of Sydney.” (Loud cheers.)
Letter from Mr. W. H. Archer of Sydney, to His Grace the Duke of Norfolk, Hereditary Earl Marshal of England, etc., etc.
Double Bay, Sydney,
September 8, 1879.
My Lord Duke,
I have the honour to address your Grace under the following circumstances:—When the news came to Australia that the dignity of Cardinal had been offered to the Very Rev. John Henry Newman, there ran a thrill of joy through Catholic hearts. That dignity was recognised as a fitting reward for his life-long battle for Truth, and it was looked upon as an unmistakable testimony by the highest authority on earth to the genius, the learning, and the sanctity of this son of St. Philip.
Soon, however, fears arose that the illustrious Oratorian, in his sensitive humility, would succeed in his efforts to escape from the splendour and the burden of the Purple; but when it was at last authoritatively made known that he was indeed to be a Cardinal, there was not only hearty satisfaction but a deep sense of relief.
Concurrently with these tidings came an account of your Grace’s efforts in the mother country to testify in some way to the general joy in this gracious elevation; and one amongst us, well aware that there are Catholics in Australia who in their affection and admiration for John Henry Newman cannot be surpassed, wrote to a few of them to the effect that some effort, however modest it might be, should be made to show that our hearts beat in unison with yours, and that our voices could harmoniously join in the general acclaim. This took place in May last, within the Octave of St. Philip Neri, and the result was a rapid and signal success.
The first response received was from a gentleman who is Australian born, and is also one of the most eminent of our public men, the Honourable William Bede Dailey, and to him our speedy success was chiefly due.
… … .
Catholics only were present at our deliberations; but this did not prevent practical sympathy and support from others, and among them one who is entitled to our grateful mention, the Reverend Dr. Charles Badham, of the University of Sydney, who wrote for us the Latin inscription, which appears on the centre of the salver.
The movement was intended to be a lay one; and so it was in the main; but in fact, all sections of Society more or less contributed. It was carefully made known from the outset that no sum however small would be refused. The consequence was that shillings and even pence flowed in from all parts of the country. Many of these modest contributions came not only from poor people in scattered townships, but from struggling selectors, wood-splitters, fishermen, from folk that toil in the remote bush, in wild woods, and on lonely coasts remote from the capital.
The universality of the offering was indeed so remarkable that His Grace the Archbishop of Sydney deemed it of significance enough to record in a pastoral. His Grace said: “Has not the venerable name of John Henry Newman acted as a spell upon them? and are they not doing for him what they have proposed to do for no other, on his being made a Cardinal? Without a word or a sign from the Archbishop, of their own spontaneous impulse, they have united in an unanimity very unusual, from the highest leaders to the most unknown amongst them, to do him honour. Their love of him, their profound reverence and admiration will be recorded in the lasting and grateful form, loving words, and golden plate, engraved and embossed with many memories dear to him.”
There is a natural anxiety that no time be lost in forwarding the Testimonial, just finished, to its destination; and I have been asked to solicit your Grace’s kind offices so far as to present to Cardinal Newman both the Salver, made of Australian gold, and the Address which accompanies it, in the name and on behalf of the subscribing Catholics in Australia.
We look up to you, my Lord Duke, as the legitimate representative of the Catholic Laity of the British Empire, and therefore feel confident that your Grace will honour us by cordially acceding to our request.
I have the honour to be,
My Lord Duke,
Yours ever respectfully and sincerely,
W. H. Archer
After this letter his Grace read the Address and then presented it and the Salver to His Eminence.