The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-07-20

Archbishop Hughes and the Ultrsaontanes.
An obscure city journal has given currency to
rumor that the See at present filed by the Rev.
Archbishop Hughes is shortly to be divided, or
that coadjutor to that official Is to BE- appointed
to divide with him the duties of his Office. For
some time past, whispers to the same effect have
been uttered in various quarters; it has even been
limited that it might not be altogether unreasona-
bic TO expect to hear that the venerable Arch
bishop had been superseded by a new prelate
appointed at Rome. It is surmised that certain
of the New York clergy now in Rome may have
scheme OF the kind in hand
That the recent courte of Archbishop Hughes
may have given dissatisfaction to the extreme
members of the ultranontane party in the church,
lie quite possible. There are in the PspAl church
several men who have 90 thoroughly severed the
ties that bound them to the world that they know
no more of what is going on around them than
they would if they were denizens Of another
planet. These persons, imbued witha very head
strong zeal, are bent on restoring in the church
all the rites, ceremonies, forms, usages and doc
trines which hourished during the middle ages,
but which increasing civilization and
the progress of general intelligence long
since dismissed and rendered obsolete. 1t
was for these persons that the Pope went out
of his way to determine the long agitated but
immaterial question respecting the Immaculate
Conception; and it is they who, in the columns of
the Paris U,airrs, are so strenuously endeavoring
to conciliate, for the church of which they are
members, the contempt, and the dislike, and the
dread of all enlightened minds. Their mission,
in a word, is 10 efface the teachings of the last
three or four centuries, and to re-plant us all in
| the middle of the dark ages-with no better light
for our guidance than the Inquisition and the old
mOnksh ceremonies and the forms and process
sions ard other grand shows which, at that Pc
rod, were the only-and perhaps very honest
outward and visible sign Of an inward and spirit
ual faith.
These reformers-for we suppose they claim
this title-having achieved marked triumphs at
Rome, Paris and Vienna, have desired to ex-
tend the sphere of their novelties to this country
also They have attempted to coerce Archbishop
Hughes into accepting their views, aud admins
teripg his See in accordance with their new lights
Thus they would have been pleased to see the
promulgation of the bull ON the Immaculate
Conception commemorated By grand pro
cessions up and down Broadway, through
groves Of trees planted for the pur
pose, and past stores closed in order to cele
brate the occasion with due msgni6cence and re-
spect. They would have liked to have witnessed
the merciless punishment of the turbulent crowds
which insulted Bedini, and they expected that al
least one or two of the newspapers which crit
csed his proceedings might have been suppressed
They think generally that Roman Catholicism
might have been pushed with more zeal in
this community, and that the vitality of the old
church might have been demonstrated from time
to time with some pomp and fclat.
These views have not been wholly shared by
Archbishop Hughes; who however he may com
pare with the ultramontanes in point Of ecclesi
astical fervor, had a decided advantage over
them in being man Of the world and man Of
common sense. 1t is easy to understand that the
Archbishop would not readily concur in scheme:
for an armed assault on the Know Nothings who
hooted Bedini, or even for the obstruction Of
Broadway by procession of friars and incense
bearers in honor Of the Immaculate Conception
His Grace has his faults, no doubt; but he knows
this country and this community; he knows how
indammable the Protestants are; and he knows
what would be the effect of the violent
movements or revivals by which the ultra
montanes purpose to swell the circle
of adherents to the Roman Catholic faith
Hence, he may not have administered his Office
to their entire satisfaction; may have thrown
cold water on their ardor; and may have driven
them. in spiteful disappointment, to seek revenge
and coadjutor at Rome.
The ultramontanes comprise no mean portion
of the Roman Catholic clergy in this country
The bulk Of the foreign Jesuits and other priests
who have charge of the various scholastic inst.
tutons scattered throughout the several States
belong to this wing Of the church, as might be
expected from their calling and their isolation
from the world. Many Of these institutions are
wealthy and prosperous 70 influential too es to
command a ready hearing at Rome. The idea Of
superscding Archbishop Hughes or curtailing his
authority comes from them; any person of COM
mon sense can predict the result, IL their schemes
should be crowned with success.
MAYOR WOODS CIRCULAR TO THE RURAL DIS
TRTCrs.-The following circular fsom Mayor
Wood, addressed TO one Of the Pos'masters of