"We Were All Prejudiced More or Less against Him": The American Bishops' Response to Father Mathew's Temperance Tour, 1849–1851

This article examines Father Theobald Mathew's American tour of 1849–1851. The prospect of a visit from Ireland's famed "Apostle of Temperance" drew an excited response from Whig politicians and abolitionist leaders, two groups not usually linked with Irish Americans. Both groups genuinely admired Mathew, however, and hoped that by tying themselves to him they would be able to draw Irish Americans into their ranks. Far less enthusiastic were the nation's Catholic bishops, who were wary of the priest because of his associations with Protestants and abolitionists and his seeming deference to British authorities. After some initial hesitation, Mathew chose to stay close to the bishops and far from the abolitionists. By so doing, he was able to gain the hierarchy's support for what would prove to be an extraordinarily successful temperance mission.