The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-06-21

Mr.. TABER's CHURCH PROPERTY BnL--We'
could hardly believe our own eyes as we read
that Mr.. Taber's bill had been ordered to third
reading. What does all this mean land where,
are We? Let us look at this bill and it's his
tory.
The sum and substance of the bill is to vest
in Archbishop Hughes and the Bishops of Al
bany and Buffalo, and their successors in Office,
the titles to all the property in the Roman
Catholic Church in the Commonwealth of New
York, consisting of church edifces, parse
nages, colleges, academies, and even the
cemeteries What tremendous influence
this will give these gentlemen, whose power
is now great enough in all conscience They
will have the people Of their dioceses effect
ually in their power in short time, if this bill
becomes law. They can then shut the door
Of every Roman Catholic Church in the State,
close every academy and college, and even the.
gate Of every burying ground appertaining to-
their communion, should they determine for
any cause, to do so. And is this to be allowed
in this republican country? Are our Senators
going to put everything into the hands of an
hierarchy /9lis style, and leave the people no
protection q? We trust mott or, if they should
be SO infatuated or so stupid we hope that the
representatives who are more truly the expo
nents OF the popular will, and the more reliable
friends and defenders of the rights of the peo-
pie, will prevent it.
This is very simple and easy managed az
fair Let the Roman Catholic Church obtain as
much property as it can in lawful way, and
for lawful uses; let all the Protestant Churches
do the same; but let that property be held by
trustees, as it is, and as it should be. Let each
congregation, each academy, each college, have
its own trustees and let them hold, as such, the
property which may be obtained for that con-
,gregration. academy, or college. This is the
true republican and democratic plan of doing
the business. This plan was advocated by the
HERALD year ago last winter, when similar
movement was made at the instigation of Arch
bishop Hughes. This plan, as we said then, pro-
tects the people in their just rights, against a
hierarchy; which, lift be not insolent and grasp
ing now. may soon become such.
Thepeople ought to be protected 1t is they
who have to make the endowments, either by
bishop Hughes would be glad, very naturally
to have the people give largely to build up
churches and literary institutions; but then the
simple hearted creatures must not expect to-
have anything to do with the control Of these
churches and institutions not they. Against
this making slaves of the people we protest;
and, in their name, we do earnestly protest.
Ap1 he 20 -
out being memorialized by the Roman Catholic
Church. or any part Of it, SO far as we know Mr..
Taber and nine or ten other Senators are of
their own accord disposed-even eager-to do.
what they cannot but know to be contrary to
the feelings Of the Protestants, who are four
flfths ofthe entire population Of the State, and
contrary even to the expressed wishes of thou
sands Of Roman Catholics who, eighteen months
ago, demonstrated earnestly against similar
bill. What does all this indicate but the desire
to conciliate and gain over the influence of the
Roman Catholic Bishops for political purposes.
1t is remarkable that in New Granada,
Roman Catholic country, the government has
deprived the hierarchy of the very power which
Mr.. Taber and other Senators wish to confer
upon it here. Sardinia is on the point of
doing the same thing or something like it; and
well they may, for Rome there owns and con-
trolls one-fourth part Of the lands Of the entire
kingdom.
We shall keep sharp look out in reference to-
Mr.. Taber's bill, and we hope our readers will
ALSO No time is to be lost If it be necessary,
let great public meetings be called instantly,
all over the State, to oppose this monstrous