Love Gone Bad? Edward Whelan and the Irish Catholics of PEI

Event

2003-28-2

01:21:49

Edward MacDonald discusses the topic called “A Love Gone Bad? Edward Whelan and the Irish Catholics of PEI” at the B.I.S. Irish Heritage Lecture Series. In his lecture Edward speaks about Edward Whelan who was a renowned newspaper orator and journalist and his relationship with Irish people. Edward places a lot of emphasis and details on Whelan’s political and religious views as they were thought to be the mean contributors to the turmoil and tension he received from the Irish community which in the end resulted in his downfall.

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Held by the Benevolent Irish Society

The speaker introduces his lecture on Edward Whelan who he considers as one of the greatest Liberals and one of the greatest Islanders. The speaker will reference some of the very few letters found regarding Whelan's election campaign in the 1860’s and his relationship with his constituents and the Island’s Irish Catholic community.
The speaker notes that the election he is focussing on is the one and only election that Whelan lost. The theme of the lecture is reflected in its title “A Love Gone Bad?” which questions if the relationship between Whelan and the Irish Catholic electorate went sour and if so, why. The speaker also notes the two pronunciations of Whelan’s name.
The Speaker notes that in Island history Whelan is viewed as a romantic legend. The speaker also references a collection of Whelan’s speeches by Mr McCourt and a poetic eulogy about Whelan written by Thomas D’Arch McGee.
The speaker outlines that Whelan experienced much tragedy including the early deaths of his first wife and his only surviving child. The speaker describes Whelan as a brilliant writer and journalist, a great orator, and an insightful, cunning and intelligent political leader. Due to a fire, most of the personal letters and speeches of Whelan were lost. In 1906, 40 years after his death, Whelan was voted the third most famous Islander. Whelan was thought of highly by James Hayden Fletcher.
The speaker explains that Whelan was born in 1824 in County Mayo, came to Canada in 1837, was apprenticed to Joseph Howe and had founded Charlottetown’s “The Examiner” by 1847. By 1846, Whelan had been elected to the House of the Assembly in the Second King’s riding teaming up with George Coles and his Liberal Party. The speaker reviews the important land and education acts passed by the Coles’ government, the origins of the Island’s Liberal and Conservative parties and the importance of religion in Island politics at this time.
By 1866 Whelan had been part of the Opposition since 1859. The speaker focuses on the by-election in the “mixed” riding of Second Kings due to the death of John Sutherland, a Protestant. Whelan felt he had the Catholic vote for this riding and had teamed up with William Clark. The speaker reviews the ethnic and religious background of the riding, the voting structure and the political party typically supported by the Catholics at this time.
The speaker briefly reviews the pattern of immigration to and settlement of PEI resulting in settlers who were interested in land reform which the Liberals had not been able to deliver by this time. The Second Kings by-election was not called as a general election had to be called. In the 1867 general election Edward Whelan and William Clark were considered by the electors as outdated and a “moderate". The speaker reviews why it was to Whelan’s detriment that he supported Confederation and opposed the Fenians.
A third factor against Whelan was his condemnation of the Tenant League. The speaker reviews the policy and activities of the Tenant League. Despite the violent nature of the Tenant League, many Islanders supported the League and so did not support Whelan.
SIDE A ENDS
A fourth mark against Whelan was that he was viewed as insufficiently Catholic. (A break in the tape.) The speaker discusses Bishop Peter McIntyre’s views, his influence with the Catholic voters and his support of Edward Reilly, the editor of “The Vindicator”. Also, Whelan did not have a strong campaign due to illness and being busy. After Whelan was elected he was appointed as the Queen’s Printer and so he had to be re-elected. Whelan lost by 31 votes to Reilly. The speaker discusses electioneering prior and after the secret ballot was established.
Quoting J.C. MacMillian, the speaker illustrates Whelan’s devastation at his election loss. Within months of the election, Whelan passed away in 1867 due to “dropsy” which is now thought to be a symptom of a disease. In conclusion, the speaker explains why he feels that if Whelan had lived he would have won future elections and his only failure in being elected was due to lack of support by his political colleagues rather than the electors.
[ Lecture Ends, applause, questions, remarks, comments. Answers follow.]
SIDE B ENDS