The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-05-05

level as tnat Occupeu Wy INC uhc'e. ~ VIII NC
smasher in it's way
THE CATHOLIC COUNCIL AT BALrIMoRE. grand
council of the Catholic hierarchy Of the United
States will meet at Baltimore, on the 9th instant to
consult upon the general affairs Of the Church in this
country, and to transact such business subject to
the approval Of the Pope, as may be deemed ncces-
sary for the advancement Of the true faith among
the hcretics of this splendid republic. Archbishop
Hughes will deliver the opening address in the Ca
thedral.
The business proceedings of these councils, we un-
derstand, are conducted with closed DOORS which is
to be regretted, upon every consideration Of good
policy The conventions, assemblies and conferences
of the Protestant churches are open to the public,
and their proceedings are regularly published in
the newspapers, and no harm, but much good, is
the result. The genius Of our institutions reqaires
that everything ecclesiastical and POLITICAL affecting
the community Mt large, and especially the saliva
ton of souls, should be open and above board.
There can be disputing, that in many essentials,
the Catholic Church in the United States has
adapted itself wisely to the peculiar structure of
our republican system, and to the liberal and en-
lightened sentiments Of the American people; and
this further reform Of open doors to the proceedings
Of the general councils Of tho clergy would still
further contribute to do away with those preudices
and suspicious which attach themselves to anything
that is secret and mysterious in the ministrations
or business transactions Of the Holy Catholic
Church The secret of the great success Of the
missionary labors Of st. Paul was, us he him
self says that he "was all things to all men" for
the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is to say,
he conformed himself to the institutions, the Gus
toms and habits, and popular sentiments Of the vari
Gus nations of people among whom he travelled, as
far as consistent with his divine mission. The Jesuit
fathers, equally plastic and elastic have been equal
ly successful the whole world, excepting among
the Ceestals and the Japanese. or with such sim
ners as Lola Monies and Kossuth. But soon they
will have fine opening in China and Japan. They
will not be the first cases in which rounds shot and
bomb-shells have opened the way for the cross.
Following, then, the example of ST. Paul, ofadapting
themselves to the customs and institutions Of the
country in which they are located, it is be hoped
that the Catholic Fathers, at Baltimore will open
the doors Of their council from day to day to the
public, or at least to all such us are not heretics
dyed in the wool.
On this point our venerable Father, His Grace
and Lordship Archbishop Hughes, will have fine
opportunity to distinguish himself in his opening
sermon We believe it was the last council at Bal
tmore that nominated him to the Holy Father at
Rome for the Archbishopric which he now enjoys.
He owes them something in return. Let him,
then, as q measure of sound policy, advocate
the plan Of open doors to the Council. Lei
him prove himself not only good Catholic, ant
a genuine Irishman, but also true American
The Catholic Church Of the United States stands
forth bright example to the Protestant churches
in reference to the politics of the country, ant
especially upon the vital question Of slavery. The
patriotism of the Catholic population Of the United
States is indeed satisfactorily established. They
are increasing rapidly. by emigration ant
matrimony, though not to any very extra
ordinary extent by conversions They will, il
a short time, be substantially powerful il
| this country than in any other, and thei
continued prosperity will simply depend upor
rendering to the Pope the things which are the
Pore's, and nothing more, and to the government
under which they live, the loyalty Of good citizens
whether prclates, priests, people. This the,
have done, and this, we doubt not, they will CONT
nue. to do even to the introduction of al such reform
as may be essential to the blending Of the institu
| country.
We have, however, had considerable trouble will
! our venerable father Archbishop Hughes. Will
all the imrulsiveness Of an Irishman, he has OK
| hibited, at times, the most singular vagaries
He few off at tangent upon the common
| school question, and nothing but constan
watchfulness, fasting, and prayer, would eve
have suficed to bring him back But by
| faith and perseverance we did succeed. Next
he seemed disposed to follow after Seward, an,
| other strange gods, in the dirty work Of part,
politics, and VIC had again to rescue him like bran,
| plucked from the burning. His last crotchet ap
! pears to be desire to monopolze, all tho churcl
property in his diocese, to be transmitted to hi
| successors so that, as by the absorbing law 0
primogeniturc Of England, great estates swallow vi
everything around them, the Catholic Archbishop o
New York may absorb the accumulatons of tn,
church. This is not according to St. Paul, and
therefore, we have resisted it, and all with
view to TIE spiritual advancement Of our venerable
Archbishop. We also felt relieved on learning
that he had failed Of the Cardinals red hat
lest, from his sudden elevation, he should parade
his promotion in Broadway, in his state car
riagc and gilded trappings, and with all the
shining gewgaws of cardinal in Rome; and
because we feared that the boys would shouting
after him after the state carriage of Lola Monies
or Kossuth, or Herr DTiesbacb, the lion tanner. Fol
all this care of our reverend Archbishop, we have
received some plenary indulgcnccs from the Holy
Father at Rome; but we expect something more.
Will not the Council al Baltimore bear this in mind
Finally for all our good works, if the Pope forgets
US, we have still an appeal to ST. Peter, and espe-
cially to ST. Paul. in the kingdom Of Heaven; and
in the presence Of these bright spirits we think we
shall stand on level with Popes, Archbishops,
Bishops, or priests Of any degree.
PRorosEp GRAND Cour D'ErAr TO KossUTH.--
We think 1t is now time for Kossuth-having
finished nearly his five hundred specches-to carry
into execution q coup d'eiat in this country which