The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-05-29
Steamer britannia.

has happened to her II is to be hoped that she will
make her appearance. This is her twentieth day at
Steamer Britannia.
The Long Island Railroad Company will despatch an
extra express train Sunday afternoon at o'clock for
Boston, to take the mails and passengers for the Boston
steamer that leaves this city Monday.
Catholic Mission to Mexico-Bishop Hughes
nm American Richelicu.
A rumor has prevailed for some days past that
overtures have been made by the President of the
United States to Bishop Hughes, of this city, to
go out TO Mexico, in the capacity Of ecclesiastical
and pontifical agent or commissioner, bearing as
surances from our government to the priesthood
of Mexico, that in prosecuting the existing war
with that country, the United States have no de-
sire or intention TO disturb the Catholic worship
in Mexico. This report has been industriously
circulated by the friends and worshippers OF
Bishop Hughes himself, who probably desires such
a mission. They think that by procuring these
reports to be circulated, they could manufacture
some public opinion to act on the President
There is no manner of doubt that this constituted
of the subjects Of deliberation ut the late
ference ofBishops, which sat with closed doors in
Baltimore. Bishop Hughes, Z esh from that con-
ference, repaired to Washington-stad there a
few days with a view to negotiate an arrange
ment; got report circulated among the different
newspaper correspondents in Washington; so that
this thing, coming from all quarters of the Union
to the of the President, might induce him to
suppose that it was the great voice Of public
opinion. Having set tho ball in motion, he left
for New York, osensibly for the purpose of hold
ing consultation on the subject but really in or
der to give time to the manufactured dose of pub
lie opinion which he had administered to the Pre-
sdent to operate.
That the design of sending Catholic Bishop as
special Envoy to Mexico, should have originated
with Mr.. Polk, is nearly, or very nearly, absurd.
Mr.. Polk is Presbyterian-nay more, strict
one. He is man who does not entertain very
enlarged ideas on any subject, and least of all, on
religious matters. Religious prejudices are APT
TO narrow down mems souls into a most Lllipu.
tian compass, and Mr.. Folks is not very large al
best. Such an idea as the mission of Bishop
4 Hughes could never have occurred to him.
\ We highly esteem the Bishop as pious and ia
Tented divine. But his nature has that alloy in it
4 that drew the angels down from Heaven. His
present station-the bishopric Of New York-does
not satisfy the cravings of his high ambition. He
is the most prominent Catholic divine on this con-
tnent, and he looks not only to Cardinals hat,
but even beyond it, perhaps to be Pope of Ameri-
ca. Could the Catholic Church of Mexico be
blended with that of the United States, and that
by his intervention, the immediate reward would
be Cardinals hat, with the tiara and triple
crown in perspective The Bishop does not over
estimate the importance of union between
the two Churches. The established Church oil
4 Mexico possesses vast wealth, and its power and
influence over the body of the people are prodi
gious.
The established Church Of Mexico constitutes
the most remarkable feature in the history anc
government of that country. Although stripped
of some of the wealth and splendor it possessed
before the revolution, it still exerts a powerful
sway in all matters OF State policy-a circum
stance that must be taken into account in drawing
conclusions as to the future prosperity of the Mex
lean Republic.
At the period of the Conquest of Mexico by
1 Cortes, the revolving rites of the Aztec worship
prevailed. Human beings were inundated, and
even eannibalism was practced to some extent
As soon rs the Spaniards gained the ascendancy
the mild doctrines of Christianity weaned the peo
pie from their horrible worship. Christian tenn
pies suppaned the Aztec teocals, and civilization
took the place of barbarism. There is no doubt
that the first missionaries who landed in Mexico
were men Of austere lives, and that they applied
themselves to the work of conversion with yea
abundant success.
The Catholic Church in Mexico was, ut tina
time, missionary church--such as the sam,
church is in the United States at this day. 1t
members were men selected for their talents ant
piety, whose lives were marked by voluntary
poverty and chastity; and hence the great success
that attended tn cir efforts, and the influence the,
gained over the minds of the Indians. Nor die
they use this influence for unworthy purposes
4 They were always remarkably jealous in promo
ting the interests OF the poorer classes and in in
terposing the authority of the church between
\ the oppressor and his victim. This increased
their influence more and more, and the practice
which has long obtained in Catholic countries o
/ pious persons cndowing monasteries and con
vents, at their death, as atonement for the sins
I lifetime, as well as the pious custom Of orna
mcnting the affairs and shrines with gold and pre-
cious stones, soon threw into the Golfers OF tn,
! church vast income, both in real estate and
personal properly.
The Catholic Church soon became the estab
shed church OF Mexico. The numbers of its in
situations and ministers increased in proportion Il
the spread Of the religion. The influence it exer
cised over the vast body of the people made itsel
felt at court 1t soon came to pass that no politi
cal step ofimportance was taken without the con
currencc of the clergy. The Church became tn,
4 most important arm OF the government. Itwn
always the policy Of the rulers to bow to its AL.