The Sun.
London, England, 1850-11-20 00:00:00

APPOINTMENTS.

WooLwrcn, Nov. 19.—Pavmaster and Purser Thomas
M. J. Tilby (1814), of the Fisgard flagship, at Wool-
wich, is expected to retire on that vessel being paid off,
on the 2d_ of next month, and Paymaster and Purser

Thomas Watson (1809), is named as his successor.
The Locust steam-vessel, now ready for commission
for service on the coast of Africa, is expected to be com-
missioned at this port by Commander Roger Curtis
(1846).
The Volcano steam-vessel is also nearly ready for
commission at this port for service on, the coast of Africa.

" But one more argument it is right to state, because
it bears upon the present excitement. It has been lately
the fashion to speak of the Catholic policy as though,
up to the late change in its ecclesiastical organization, it
had been in a position which was recognized and re-
spected. The Bishop of London, in his answer to the
Chapter of Westminster (the document is not at hand),
spoke in this strain; and Lord John Russell, in his letter
to the Bishop of Durham, insinuates that its position
up to this time was quite satisfactory to him. It would
be easy to refer to other documents lately issued. But
this is all an imaginary view of the past. Instead of
this, the Catholics have been unmercifully treated by
every Anglican writer, high church or low church, as
schismatics, as rebels to the bishops of England, as
having no true bishops. They were told that the very
outlandish names of their sees proved them to be
that the Pope durstnedhosenterhsieinfsieooosrutoetsb,ons at point nfep
foreigners. and that they were not even real bishops.
Read the Rev. W. Palmer on the subject,* and see how
he treated Vicars-Apostolic. In one pamphlet against
the writer of this appeal he began by refusing him
the usual courteous title given in all civilized society
to a Catholic bishop, and sent him to the Bishop
for leave to preach.
of Worcester, as his diocesan,
Nay, again and again they were taunted with this,
e
rent interest to Catholics, to have this
influenced
nole rott
hi.
onhavaoveri
dynlbi;gygbhfitaotshurhet
wohmpeo si
many
nihtyyn
minds
England, ti,dndcgaoaol
ssafsmnonda.o:l because
wn:e,:ldei
adt.
es
h:
appa-
rent advantage of ecclesiastical position on the other
side. Strange that, after defying Catholics on theologi-
cal grounds, when the stop has been taken, these oppo-
nents should no longer consider it as a question of
theology, but of prerogative; should shrink from meet-
ing the act with ecclesiastical argument, but shouts fir
the sword of the state. Why did they not tell Catholics
before, you dare not form a domestic hierarchy (and
this proves that you are not the true Church in En-
gland); because, if you attempt it, we will rouse the
people against you, we will lash on the multitude to out-
rage you, and we will bring down Perliamentary enact- I
ments to crush you?'
" But to return. These were but secondary and cor-
roborative arguments. The ground of the pleading was
the absolute necessity of the hierarchy for domestic or-
ganization and good government. The Holy See kindly
listened to the petition, and referred it to the Sacred
Congregation of the Propaganda. After a full discus-
sion, and further reply to objections, the boon was
granted. The Vicars-Apostolic were desired to suggest
the best divisions for new dioceses, and theibest places for
the titles. These were adjusted, the brief was drawn up,
and even printed.
"Some difficulties arose about a practical point, and
publication was delayed. In 1848 another bishop (Dr.
Ullathorne) was deputed to Rome to remove them, and
the measure was again prepared, when the Roman revo-
lution suspended its final conclusion till now.
" All this time there was no concealment, no attempt
to take people by surprise. All Catholics knew of the
intended measure; the papers announced it; so notorious
was it, that the Dean and Chapter of Westminster
petitioned Parliament against it; and a friend of the
writer's heard the Dean of Westminster say, most'
openly, Well, he may call himself what he pleases, but
at least he can never be Dean of Westminster.' In
Battersby's 'lrish Directory' for 1848, the writer was
named' Most Rev. N. Wiseman, Archbishop of West-
minster.' He can add that many letters came to him so
addressed.
" Then why is this very act, which was openly spoken
of, and hardly attracted attention three years ago, now
denounced
r e s
t so furiously,
u
This is not the place to answer this question; it is only
wished
fstraitoeusly, and characterized so foully ?
simple facts, and leave others to
reason on them.
" But the main objects of this introduction are ac-
complished, if it has been shown--
"First. That this is no wanton, sudden act; that it is
not a measure of a grasping. aggressive character; but
one gradually and undisguisedly matured; one based
upon the necessities of the Catholic body, its internal
regimen, and its healthy organization. The necessity for
having a code produced the necessity for the only go-
vernment which could administer it.
" Secondly. That the blame (if any) and the responsi•
hility of the measure rests with the writer and his col-
leagues, and not with his Holiness, the best, and here the
most calumniated of men. Be, as a kind father, yielded
to the earnest solicitation of his children, end they, like-
wise, naturally suggested those details of execution
which were necessary. Instead of being an aggressive
act on his part, it was one of condescension to his
vicars, their clergy, and people. Let his apostolic
letters be calmly read by any one, and this will appear.
It may be useless at this moment to stem the current of
vulgar and ribald abuse that is poured out against his
sacred person, and encouraged by those whose mission,
if they have one, should be of peace. Time will disperse
the mist, and show the transaction in its true light. In
the meantime, the writer of these pages (and he is sure
he is not clone) declares himself ready to stand between
the Pontiff and the vituperation cast upon his act, be-
lieving it to have been most just, rstost expedient, nay,
little less than necessary, for the well-being of the c„.

• He is quoted by Mr. Bowyer in an excellent pamphlet
juatpublithed.