New-York daily tribune., 1854-07-14
TIE NATIyIsT CONTROVERSY.

We devote a considerable part of this mornings
TRIBUNE TO a debate raging with exceeding ar
dor in those periodicals which make Catholicism and
Irshism their specially. This controversy relates to
the political position Of native aud foreign residents
in the country but strange to say it is one to which
neither the mystic brotherhood of Know-Nothngs
nor any of its accoytes is party. 1t is carried on
exclusively between the leading American organ of
Roman Catholicism, BrOursons Quarterly Rerier on
the one hand, and the represenssayes of Young
Irelsnd ON the other. The Quarterly for July hav-
iYg pronounced in favor of the Native policy, and
furnished the Irish with some supra. paterna advice,
as TO their general con iuct short comirgs aad ten
denotes the champions of Celtic nationality take up
the eudgels and give the touehhided Yankee Orestes
quite as sharp and vigorous, if not so frightfu
chastisement as the pursuing Eumenides inflicted
upon his namesabe of old. 1t is very interesting
aud well sustained controversy as it stands and just
at this crisis merits the attenti N of the public to
degree not limited by the personal position and
deserts of the respective disputants.
We are not aware that any Catholic writer, of good
standing in the Church has yet come forward openly
to protest against the view OF Mr.. Brownson the
question; and from the fact that The Boston Pilot
though conducted by an Irishrnan, has expressly in
dorsed IT, with the gloss OF an ingenious distinction
between Natives and Naiyres,-the latter signiyiDg
the wicked and viruently Anti Catholic portion of
the bome-bo Americans,-has even adopted it, we
infer that it will generally be received in silence by
the orthodox supporters of that religion where
they do not give it their appreciation. Still it can
hardly prove an element of harmony among Catholics
We have heard of report, how true it is we are
unable to ssy,-according t. which the Catholics OF
native birth have for time felt a degree
of uneasiness in view of the preferment over
them of foreign, and especially Of Irish
ecclesiastics going so far it is said in some cases
even to result in the separation of parishes from
episcopal see in order to become attached to another
We have no means of knowing whether such feeling
really exists but if the be true this demonstra-
ton of the Boston Boanerges may perhaps be taken
in some sort specimen Of it, Net little striking is
it that such lesson TO the Irish Catholics should be
read by who processes the extreme ultra-montane
doctrine Of absolute ecclesiastical authority and un-
conditional lac submission.
The antagonists Of Mr. Brownson Messrs Doheny
and Mitchell make much Of the fact that he has fire.
ouently changed his religious convictions and profess
ion They even 60 so far to brand him as an apos
tate and to indulge in witty filings at bis supposed
Mrmopism, Millerism, what not. This seem,
rather an ad captandum style of discussion and We
| doubt whether it adds to the real force Of thei
logic. 1t may argue hasty and restles, temper o
mind to often change ones opinions, but is sls'
argues manly and honorable frankness I,
openly avow the change and give the there
for. There are many men who hold themselves for
ever in the trammels Of lieess and fossil conform