New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-03-17

Copstitution-The New Constitution seems to
have been knocked into the middle OF next
week The returns are scanty, snd they look
very much alike all over
VRGINIA.-The Legislature Of the Old Domn.
ion, in vie " Of the unsettled state Of things
caused by the deliberations Of the State Co1sttu-
tional Convention and the strong probability that
tn basis Of political power will be changed and
enlarged by the Ultimate decisions of that body
have postponed the next State Election, both TOR
CONGRESS and Legislature, from April to October
ensuing. It's expected that the New Constitu-
ton win meantime be perfected and submitted
30 that it may be accepted or rejected at that
Election. This change is one of moment, and
may lead to grave consequences.
BY the way: AS our friends establishing
reading rooms, opening new hotels, &c, often
wish to know what Virginia paper 10 best worth
tskirc. let us here advise them by all means to
subscribe for the new LocoFoco organ, The Rtch
,oo,6 Eq0u1 ner. We rarely note an opinion ex-
nrosse5 in its Editorial columns which doe" not
range somewhere from atrocious TO detestsbe,
but it eyinces signal talent, decided convictions,
and that hearty, out speaking frsDkness which
was more Characteristic Of the American Press a
generation back than it now is The Examiner
has q sincere relish for the fundamental doctrines
Of its party, There is accounting for tastes j
and because it's political attachments are based
on principles it does not hesitate to speak truths
unpaletable to its compatriots when those princi-
ples seem 10 require it, we'll knowing that the
plain-sps aking which blockhesds and corruption
lists deprecste calculated TO ruin the party is
in fact the very thing needed to save it. We
know no one connected with The Examiner, but
it is published by De Witt X Daniel, Semi
Weekly at 81, and Weekly at 50 in advance.
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ARCHBISHOP HUGHES A CARDINAL.-We IN
derstend that the elevation of Archbishop Hughes
TO be a member of the Sacred College of Cardi
malls has not been oliciallyor otherwise commune
Gated to his clergy in this city, and that it is not
to be regarded as a fact which has already taken
place. It is, however, expected soon 20 happen
The Archbishop will be the first Cardinal in Anne.
RIGA, and his nomination is not only an evidence
Of the respect paid by the Church to his char
acter and services bat also Of ths rising import
ance Of this country in the affairs Of the Catholic
Church.
The title Of Cardinal belonged originally to the
higher officers Of State under the Roman Empe-
ror Theodosius, who reigned in the IVth century
Afterward until the Xlth century, it was the at
tribute of priests in the Christian Church Of
whatever rank. From that time the Popes
formed from among the higher clergy sort OF
priyy council, ard the title came to be their
special property. In ll60, under Alexander ILL,
the choosing Of the Pope was made exclusively
their Office. Less than century after, limo
cent w. gave them the precedence Of the BIZ
shops and conferred the red hat upon them by
wsy Of outward mark Of distinction. The right
TO wear the princely mantle was conferred on
them by Bonface VIII. at the beginning Of the
XIvth Century and the title Of Eminence by
Urban VIII. in 1881. In 1856 Sextus V. fixed
their number at 20. They are divided into three
classes, namely, Cardinal bishops, CardinsI-preS-
bytera, and Cardinaldeacons. Their duty is TO
assist by their advice in the Government Of the
Church, and also to preside over such branches
and departments Of the same as they may be ap-
pointed to. They also elect the Pope, always, Of
course, from their own number. The sppoint.
men. and promotion Of Cardinals, depends alto
gether upon the Pope The names Of those he
has chosen are read in the Consistory or assem-
and the elected are informed Of it By receiving
tie red hat.
we suppose that the creation Of an Amer.
can Cardinal viii Cause no excitement among the
public at large. Every Church in our country has
the right 20 confer on It's clergy such titles as it
thinks advisable, and certainly there can never
happen here such a h0bbub Gl has RACED in Eng.
LAID from the appointment Of a cardinal and
few bishops. No one viii be in the slightest
degree disposed 10 obisctto the satisfaction which
Catholics will feel a. the well deserved elevation
Of DR.. Hughes 90 tots dignity 10 their Church. To
be sure, there is something eboutthe appsIa.ion
Of His Eninence' or His Grace" which does
not sound exactly republican, bat. as no political
Iretensors are involved in them, there "a no rea-
son fer any booy to complain