New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1856-02-11
Bls1lop spaltiine,s Fourtll Lecture.

The Bishop delivered his fourth lecture Qast of the
series) in Lyceum Hall last evening. The spacious
room was crowded in every part, as no doubt would
have been Odd Fellows Hall at his previous lectures,
but for the inclemency of the weather "a
/ Want of space prevents us from giving more than
/ a yery brief abstract of the learned gentlemans
| remarks upon this occasion.
He took for his subject :" Civil Libertyits Origin
and Gradual Development" and stated in the outset
that the Catholic Church not established with
| view to the formation Of human government 1t had
higher ends, greater objects to accomplish The most
| that could be demanded from the church in this
relation, was its civizing and softening influence
upon mankind. 1t was true that time had been when
the tnders of the Vatican were hurled at the heads
of earthly potentates, but this was right and neces
sary as a check upon despotism
The Free Cities Of Europe were the fountains of
civil liberty and to them the people fed from their
tyrants, and sought refuge under the protecting
power of the Church-the Catholic Church for no
other existed during the middle ages To the inilu-
Of the Catholic Church and the primitive system
Of councils, during the feudal times, we owe the
origin of legislative assenhlies-Spanish Cortez Bri-
fish Parliament etc. The voice of the Pope abolished
the feudal system Of serfdom throughout Europe,
with the exception Of Russia and the shackes fell
from millions of white slaves. The Church had been
compelled by the necessity for law and ORDER during
the middle ages, to step forth and interfere with
human governments, to defend the oppressed from
the oppressors its power was exerted in behalf Of
the people, and that interference was called for bv
the exigencies Of the times The prerogatve Of the
Papacy had its origin in this and was dropped when
the necessity of its longer existed and for three
hundred years it had not been put forth. After the
feudal system had been dissolved by the Pope edct
the embodiment Of the most important principles of
civil liberty-Magna Charta-Was framed and thus,
directly to the influence of the Catholic Church, do
we owe those priceless institutions-trial by iurv
habeas corpus, etc.
The speaker then glanced at the history of the re-
pnblics of the middle ages the destruction of some
of the free cities of Barbarossa and the final defeat
and driving away Of the savage invader by the arms
which the influence of Pope Alexander brought
against him. The Republic Of San Marine has been
for 1900 years under the papa protection and sur
rounded by papal States, might at any time during
that period have been crushed by any pope who had
been so disposed.
The lecturer noted as remarkable fact that the Re
formation and absolute monarchy triumphed through
out Europe simultaneously. Every Protestant State
where there was a union of Church and state-be-
came despotism, not even excepting England, which,
from the time Of Henry VIII. wore the yoke for
one hundred and fifty years. It could not be denied
that majority of the great who established our
glorious confederation Professionals but it must
be remembered that they fought against Protestant
government, and that in their darkest hour France
Catholic government, stepped in to their rescue
Many of the most eminent Of that time, also,
were Catholics it was common struggle for liberty,
and knew no distinctions of religion.
With an eloquent peroration the learned gentleman
closed his lecture, and Mr. Dinnies President Of the
Catholic Institute, came forward and informed the
audience that the Bishop would proceed to Mobile,
and after returning would deliver another lecture
probably next Sunday evening. a5s aE ..5t'