The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-08-20

BIsHoP HUGHEs' ORGAN AND THE CRY OF RoME
Previous TO the fall of Rome-befors the brave
and gallant defenders of the Eternal City determined
to cease further defence, and allow the fratrici-
dal French to enter its gates-the Nssma~'s Jowv-
nal the organ Of the Catholic Bishop of the diocese
of New York frequently asserted that q reKn of
terror existed in Rome--that the inhabitants were
controlled by few designing men--that they were
terrorized into submission by the triumvirate ; and
the same paper assured its readers that the Roman
people were anxious and would be rejoiced at the
downfall of the republic, the ruin OF the triumv-
rate, and that they would welcome back his Holt
ness Plus the Ninth with gratitude and fervor. The
same journal stated, at that time, that II had very
interesting article on the actual condition of Rome,
compiled from the most trustworthy sources, which
proved all the statements that had appeared in the
American journals to be false and unfounded that
priests and honorable citizens had been assassi-
mated for venturlng to love and praise the Pope;
that the churches of Rome were shut up that
priests walked the streets only at night and in dis
guise; that fourteen priests were in single night
murdered that churches were turned int stables;
that nuns were dragged half naked through the
streets; that the people were under reign of ter
ror, and that everything else bad, abominable and
detestabe, was being done by the few Adventures
who controlled and exercised despotic sway over
the people Of Rome. We denied the authenticity
of such statements, and called on the Feeman's
Journal, the Bishops organ to publish the article
70 which 1t referred; and it would no doubt have
done So but for the appearance of certain letter,
from a source, the authenticity of which could not
be doubted by any one, and least of all by
Catholic Bishop. That letter was written by
Father Ventura, who was constantly In Rome,
during the republic, and during the bombardment
That letter completely upset all the statements
which the Bishops organ put forth; and the con-
sequence was, that the celebrated article, " com.
piled from the most trustworthy Sources" has not,
to this day, seen the light in the columns of the
Freeman's Journal. I
We would not again refer to the matter, were it
not that Bishop Hughes organ, in its last issue,
reiterated the statements which it made on the oc-
casion referred to. The last number of that jour-
nal says
1t will be remembered that We have constantly shown
that Garibaldi and his OUTLAW baud that ever
awed Rome, and prevented the gates Of the city
being at once opened to the French It will also be
membered that 1t Was by trick that he obtained the
arms Of part Of the Roman sodery, whom he dis
armed 1t appears now that he did not have the
to man the bsrrcades Almost all the bsttalions Of
the latter were agreed among to Hre
ing to force It. Gen Avszxana gave orders to his SOL
ders nst to permit the approach OF Gsribslds to
his camp. Since Gen. Oudinot has given the people
leave to tear Down the barbados they have done
with great zeal.
Now, If such was the case-if all the statements
put forth by the Bishops organ are true, surely the
inialbe head of the church ought to have returned
to Rome on the instant when those who over
awed the people had ceased defending the city.
But he has not yet done lie is still afraid of
trusting himself to his flock in Rome, notwth-
standing that Garlbaldi is-no one knows where,
but certainly not in Rome; and Avezzana is quietly
reposing under his own roof, in the good city of
New York, where uncommon but not undeserved
honors await him. Why, we ask, does not the
Pope return to Rome If the people Of that city are
as devoted to him as the Bishops organ represents
them1 We will answer the question. The state
ments put forth by the Frsema~'s Journal are un-
founded the people Of Rome have repudiated
priesty government the Pope knows il, and hence
he is fearful Of personal danger If he returns He
hestates, even, about appointing his famous execu-
tive committee to carry on the Roman government.
supported, they would be, by the bayonets of the
recresnt French soldiery.