Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1855-05-12
EDITORIAL conn REsroNDENcE.
UNITED STATES HorEL, I
Philadelphia, May 8, 1885.
SENATOR BROOKS vs.. ARCHBISHOP
HuGtfES.

HuGHEs.
The recent controversy. which has just
been terminated, between Archbishop
Hughes of the Roman Catholic Church. and
Erustus Brooks, State Senator, and editor of
the New York Express, has excited no little
interest. These articles appeared. during the
past ten days or two weeks, in the New York
Courier and Enquirer, and were induced by
statement made by Senator Brooks, OH the
floor Of the New York Senate, in discussing
the church property bill. Senator Brooks
stated among other things that Archbishop
Hughes held in his own name, and bis own
right, property, properly belonging to the
church, valued at about Five millions of dol
lars. This the Archbishop Indignantly de-
MED, in language betokening any thing but
refinement or amiabity Of temper. The
Archbishop is well known as an able writer.
and powerful antagonist, in controversial
subjects, especially on subjects in regard to
the doctrines OF his church. and it was feared
that Mr. Brooks might be worsted in the
encounter. 1t was, however, simple ques-
tion of veracity and the Senator has so well
fortified himself with facts, and so skilliully
handled his subject, that he has. in the opin-
ion of all candid and unprejudiced minds
utterly demolished the Archbishop. There
is no better proof of this, than the fact that
the Senator is calm and dignfied, through
out while the Archbishop is violent, coarse
and abusive. Having referred to the records
:, oo.uohoro,;o, os HE s,a,a,ronts ,bo .o,,
:"
bishop replied IN an abusive letter, boldly
denying his statements, but giving no proofs
To This Senator Brooks in his letter of the
81.
@u i''s''' oa.s'
congratulate the Archbishop upon that
degree of recovery of "a near relative of his"
which enables him to presume his pen. am
sorry, however to see that the Archbishop is
neither improved in temper nor refrshed in
style by the brief suspension of his labors.
He continues to pile up epithets, like q py-
ramid, and to-day out does himself. He char
gcs me- now, with "falsehoods. uttered deib-
erately" "brauds me as no honorable man
would suffer himself TO be branded" uses the
words thief and 'theft," to illustrate the
temper Of his mind, and heads his letter. like
Il Snowman, 'the moral degradation of my
position" If ! had no respect for myself and
none for the truth of the case at issue,
might lie for "lie." and brand for "brand.
But in dealing with an Archbishop | choose
rather to rem, mber his high and holy calling
than his low example, If it is either good
manners, sound logic or true religion to an.
swer proven fact with such words as the
Archbishop makes so familiar to his lips and
| pen, he is more than welcome in this contro.
versy to the advantages they give him.
Once upon a time, Scotch Professor oi
Kings College, Cambridge, setting an exam.
pie which an Archbishop might initiate with
honor, was asked what he would do il man
told him lie was liar: "What would l do,
said he, II would not knock him down. but
would tell him 10 prove it, prore il, PROVE IT
And would say to him that if he couldn't
prove it, he'd be the liar. and then | should
have him !" The Archbishop may make the
application, and the public will Judge upon
the evidence given, and coming. whether
have John Hughes or John Hughes has me.
In vndication OF my veraclty. and to re
lieye myself from the charge OF rALsEHooD,
have given from the record the legal convey
ances TO John Hughes of THIRTY pieces OF
parcels of property. | add ELEVEN more to
day, and the end is not yet. What ] said il
tne senate on the Otn OF Marcn laSt qualllrC
by "a supposition of fact" and from data re
corded by the researches of''a friend Of mine,
as to the main fact-which the Archbishop
twice directly msstates to-day, will turn out
to be soberer reality than the Archbishop
or myself ever dreamed of when l called pub
lie attention to his possessions, aud when h,
pronounced my statement FALSE. The worl
of investigation is only fairly commenced anC
| shall proceed with it, disregarding all irrel
evacy and abuse
The Archbishop seeks TO be master of thu
living, and to prescribe just where the deat
shall be laid, and what price shall be paid fo
the privilege Of interment But more of thi
hereafter. ! am dealing with living mal
and his estates now,--and with one who. il
the space of a few years, has come into pos
session not merely of the honors of an Arch
bishopric, but Of princely possessions, and al
as the head Of church, whose Office | ha,
supposed, pledged him to poverty. 1t is no
easi! n,,rlStI h . u sne Eospel VINO ean tha M
orty n II ynrv With conrtrr soats rat0;r orr
ana bountifnl nrovisions for relo,ivos ont
Criends Good f'otboIics toll mo and tb,
fac, seems nrohshIs enouob frnn, tho rscord
bowover yipientIv denioS -tLot tbo Arcb
b;sbop il more a,;ont;va 10 tho aooca than :,
"tbe Hock committeJ 70 bis chargen -
-, ron,ind L;r, 80 of ,has n,hor .,,n