The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-05-07

CAruoIIcITY IN THE UNITED STATEs.-The meet
ing of the Catholic Triennal Council, at Baltimore,
is attracting good deal of attention on the part of
the religious denominations throughout the United
States, and has elected variety of comment and
remark, some of which is rather interesting. One
of the most curious communications, which we
have received on this subject, is the following
Mr. EDITOR:
on the triennial Council of the Catholic Church,
and think it's suggestions of the last Importance II
sect in the United States" your counsel must be fol-
lowed, this result can never be accomplished con-
hictng present organization does in the respects
to which YOU audc with the genius of the people and
Of the institutions of the country.
There is other matter to which you have not ad
yerted which think Of equal Importance. 1t Is well
known that there now In this country and the
West Indies than thousand refugees from the
island of Madeira who have fled from religious perse
cution at home to seek asylum in this land of the
free These prosecutions have been severe and as far
MS ca learn have been caused solely by their
sion from the Catholic Church. Now sir this may be
all in accordance with the genius OF the government OF
Portugal but the people of this country DO not and
cannot sympathse with such course; and II not dis
countenanced and disavowed by the Church officially
cannot but materially affect her interests in this
country.
If these things pass without reprobation people
will necessarily identify the Church with intolerance
and persec ution; and it will meet with jealousy and
opposition where il might otherwise find favor and en-
eonragement hope this matter will be deemed OF
sufficient Importance to engage the attention of the
riennia council; and that to this end you viii either
publish this, call attention to the matter in some
way that you shall deem most fit. j.
No doubt this is written by some little narrow
minded bigot, without an intellect sufficiently capa-
cious to grasp the great movement connected with
the progress of Christianity and the ecclesiastical
organization of the Catholic Church. This SUBJ
jec. ought to be viewed in large and comprehen-
sive manner. The day of mere sectariansm is
gone. No particular sect can now arrogate to
itself the name and title of the sole depository Of
Christian truth; and every day the great principle
of religious liberation gains ground. Undoubtedly,
the policy of the Catholic Church should be to keep
aocf from politics, or worldly affairs. IT the
| Council would undertake TO intermcddle with all
the movements of European governments, or ex-
press any opinion about outrages perpetrated by
them under the name of religion and the Church,
they would have nothing else TO do, and their
labors would be neither edifying nor profitable.
| The Catholic Church in the United States num-
bers upwards of one million adherents. Under
the guidance of its bishops it has been going on
prosperousy and peacefully. The want of canon
law has been experienced, but that will probably
now be supplied We must bear our testimony to
the moderation, charity and federation with which
7 ms DrdnCn OF the christian CHuTcil
itself in this land In this respect it contrasts ia
vorably with some other religious denominations.
The quarrels and squabbles of the Mehodists,
Episcopalians and Presbyterians, have not been in
keeping with the character or the true faith which
they profess. OF late we have had melancholy il
Illustrations of the lack of plety, or prudence, or
both, IN some eminent digntaries of the Episcopal
Church. We have had the unpleasant spectacle of
Bishop Onderdonk and Bishop Doane--one a bank
rupt IN morals and the other in finance. These ex-
hibitions are extremely sad and humatng. On
the other hand, the clergy of the Catholic church
have been distinguished for exemplary lives. AS
10 their attachment to the principles and spirit of
our civil institutions, there can be no doubt They
are good and legal citizens of the republic, and
studiously avoid the thorny field of politics. 1t
is true there was in one memorable case depar-
ture from this conduct, bat the distinguished pre-
late who was led astray by political intrgucr in
this State, IN consequence Of introduction OBJ
tanned after certain Cancellations among the
tombs," has since confessed his sins and been for
given. Absol1iion has been pronounced, and the
bishop to whom we aUde is entitled to as much
confidence and consideration az any other repent
ant sinner
We shall watch the proceedings Of this Triennial
Council with much interest, and may hereafter re.
cur to the subject
ANoTHyR SLAvrR.--We have aful account Of the cap
ture Of the brig Harriet formerly Of Philadelphia with