The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-12-14
Bishop Hughss' Sermon.

Bishop Hughss' Sermon.
We give, in another column, to-day, full re-
port of the celebrated sermon preached last Sun
day in the House of Representatives, before all
the great men and beautiful women Of Washing
ton, by the distinguished Bishop Hughes, of this
diocese. 1t is remarkable sermon in its way;
peculiarly characteristic of Bishop Hughes, and
possesses some curious facts concerning men
and things, not exactly religious.
Bishop Hughes is clergyman-he is man
OF great natural parts, and some genius, although
he commenced life as clergyman, somewhat
late in years. He has taken a distinguished
part in politics, as well as in religion, and
has mixed them together in equal proper.
tons, in this diocese and has, IN the
course of the time that he has welded
his power as head of the church in New York,
created more noise than all the other Catholic
clergymen in the country. In fact, Bishop Hughes
is something like Cardinal Beaten, or Cardinal
Woolsey. Instead, however, of playing into the
hands of one sovereign, as Cardinal Woolsey
did, he attempts to WELD all the Irish Sovereigns
of his diocese, and has tried to work himself
into great political, as well as religious, distinc-
lion. He is more of politician than clergy
very eminent man; but in his double capacity as
politician and clergyman, he acts with duplcity,
and presents double aspect to the world
His career, thus far, has produced an equal
amount of disaster and triumph for the
Catholic cause. lie was the first to Gre
ate disturbance in this State, growing out of
the school question, which went on step by step,
until it Produced by conflict of sects, the most
disastrous results in Philadelphia. OF late years
he has kept himself quiet, but he can't keep his
fingers out of the political pie land as Mexico,
being Catholic nation, has become very i'm
portant bone of contention to politicians and
diplomats. Bishop Hughes must necessarily
come into the field and take part IN the settle
ment of that disputed matter. He wants to have
something to do with the settlement of that
question, as well as with the nomination of an
envoy to Rome. His preaching and praying, and
eating and fasting, at Washington, have all
reference TO those important and am
bilious purposes. According to the best ac-
counts, he wants to go as one OF the CON-
missioners to Mexico, and to send friend
of his as minister to Rome. If he can manage
both, he thinks he can at least equal Cardinal
Woolsey. No doubt he considers Mr.. Polk a
small man; but he is very anxious to get power
from any quarter, Popish or Puritan.
The sermon which we give to-day, is curious
production embracing views on great subjects,
in connection with the purposes of the bishop.
There is great horror in this country about
mixing religion with politics. The bishop is
very anxious to put them together in the same
dish-to make them palatableto politicians-and
10 round off the pill of politics and religion, SO
as to give the clergy as important an influence
in this country as they have IN Europe. He
has travelled much in Europe, and seen the in
fuence of the clergy in Austria and Italy, and is
anxious to restore their lost power to the Catho-
lies, at least in this country of presidents and
republicans. We think, however, that he has
mistaken the spirit of the age. The uncommon
tact which he displays as politician, would do
very well, if he were politician, but he must
be eithera bishop, and that alone, or abandon that
and become politician. He must either con-
fine himself to the curing of souls, or abandon
that, and become politician and statesn.. at
once. We doubt very much if the Catholics will
tolerate any longer such prepos.erous exhibit
tions as he has begun again to show before the
world. Clergymen of all kinds had better con.
fine themselves to their spiritual duties.