The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-09-18
Answer to Archbishop Hughes.


Answer to Archbishop Hughes.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
Archbishop Hughes has descended from the Dig
nifty Of his ecclesiastical position, to the level of
prcfane scoer, in using with reference to me, state
ments unworthy the truth and charity of servant
of God, In replying to him, shall endeavor to
ascend to what should be his position, and occupy
tiff not as prelate, at least as gentleman.
In these explanations, defend myself less than
my compatriots, and the sacred "reminiscences that
movedus to the religious efforts which have brought
npon all Of us the dspeasure of his Grace; and for
this reason, rather than personal considerations,
desire to state the exact particulars.
The republicans of this FREQ and happy Union will
understand the deep and reverential grief which we,
exiles from native land, because desire Cuba
to be free, must cherish for the memory Of those
who have been sacrificed in our cause. For us the
first OF September is henceforth q day of national
venerationa day forever sacred to our beloved aud
illustrious dead. With common impulse, the Ca
tholic Cubans of New Orleans and New York ad-
dressed themselves to the heads of their church in
their respective districts for the customary solemn
and consoliDg rites Of religion. We did not apply
for these services as republicans politicians but
ss Catholic Christians, DESTROYS of paying to de-
pect that reverental love could dictate. Our aec-
tion prompted us not to omit any of the majestic
accessories with which those rites celebrated on
solemn OCCASION, and which the Archbishop did not
refuse to the memory Of the Duke of Orleans. The
distinguished Bishop Of New Orleans eminent alike
for his wisdom and virtues listened to the applica
ton of the mourning Cubans in the spirit Of ia
Their and shepherd to his flock. The church was
yelled in mourning, and on cenotaph wreathed in
funeral Grape, inscribed the names of those for
whose repose these sacred rites were offered
We, too. earnestly besought the melancholy con-
ISOLATION of having those names before our. eyes
when we raised our prayers to Heaven in their be-
half, but the Archbishop, having assumed the care
of what should not be done politically in this
try prohibited it, and we submitted our feelings to
his ecclesiastical authority. The absent insignia Of
mourning, and the missing cenotaph, We yielded in
silence, but we could not refrain from protest when
His grace departed from hispromise, and contrary to
his engagement. only permitted us the humble and
silent Offering of low mass. We were grieved at
being thus cut off from pay ing the honorable tribute
desired to the memory of our lost friends, but
are more grieved to see the Archbishop descend to
misrepresentation, that if could lower myself to
use the language his Grace has applied to me,
would say exceeded an ordinary "power Of face to
make.
He states that called on him to ask that Mass
of Requiem should be said for those who were shot
in battle, or executed in the Island of Cuba last
year, and that it was asked in purely religious
view, and apart from political considerations Thus
far his Grace is entirely correct It was religious
duty sought to PERFORM and it is the Archbishop
only who converts it into political affair, by what
seems 10 very superauOus guardianship Of the
neutrality of the United States. His Grace's
memory is, however, excessively at fault in the
next sentence, for be declares that it was agreed
that the requiem should be low mass-that is,
without music and the chanted psalm, that add 50
much religious beauty to the more solemn high
mass On the contrary, aver that it was the full
rites Of the high mass for which | applied, and
which his Grace distinctly promised, and which !
accordingly notified our friends would be cele-
brated On the 23d Of August, addressed note
to the Archbishop, in which desired that ceno.
taph might be prepared inscribed either with the
names ofour lost friends or the places where they had
fallen, to be placed appropriately in the church dur
ing the ceremonies. did not see then, nor do see
now, what improperly there could be in this very
usual accom- paniment to funeral observances, the
persons for whom the MASH offered must be named
in the prayers at the altar but his Grace has found
deep cause Of offence in this request in writing, but
he did not censure it when made the same request
verbally. A few days after, called on the Arch
bishop for his decision respecting the cenotaph and
funeral Sermon for, relying on his word, had con-
sidered the high mass settled matter. His Grace,
mingling, as have before observed, political with
religious considerations refused the cenotaph, and
declined favoring us with sermon, mainly az
should infer from his published letter, because |
had taken :" the supeIfuous pains to point out the
text chapter and verse; which, permitted, we could
have chosen for the occasion. i wish pe,tfully
to observe that his Grace asserts that II after
this interview that he first noticed in my letter the
offensive request for a cenotaph and sermon. Yet
be admits that he answered the application during
the interview and he is pleased to add that my Ian
guage and department were that OF gentleman IL
will always be sincere qualification TO me to bear
the same testimony Of his Grace whenever he gives
me the opportunity
After our departure, and after ne had given my
friend and me reply to the contents Of my note Of
August % he suddenly finds in it meaning neither
of Us had hitherto discovered, and he resolves to
violate his word, and refuse to the dead the high
mass he had promised in chastisemcnt OF ths repub-
Jean tendencies Of secret thoughts--or rather,
his Grace says he forbade the celebration of high
mass at the appointed time because the city papers
gave notice OF high mass in honor OF General LO-
pez and the martyrs Of Cuba. At another day
vii! say something OF the title OF those heroes to
the name of martyrs, but on this occasion will
onjy remark that the essential Offices Of religion
cannot be refused TO Christian souls because the in
dependent republican press Of the Union chose so to
word the announcement. In preparing our notices,
we were careful to speak Of it as it was, purely re
gious services and we are no more Responsible tor
the alterations that editors were pleased to make,
than we are for anything else they chose to say in
the free exercise Of their vocation That we did not
contradict everything that differs from our ideas,
L no more surprising than that the Archbishop does
not contradict what Is frequently said OF his being
Jesuit, politician, secret member OF Division
Of the Order Of the Lone Star.
We are not SO uncharitable as 10 accuse ms Iusoie
Eminence Of any of these things, merely because
they are not formally contradicted; rather Will we
accuse him Of dealing severely with the republican
exes of Cuba, in order TO concihate those European
soyereigps whose influence may eventually secure
him the Cardinals hat Our respect for the place
he holds in the church, in whose bosom trust 70
live and die. forbids such expressions The expla-
nation hare now made, was due to the friends and
me cause Of Cuba and having made 1t, shall
receive, without answer whatever reprooi
nc sychhishop shall direct TO me. Your obedient
servant, - ,o-a " ~