The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-10-11

drance and detention
CATHOLIC CEREMoNIALs-T PROGRESS or
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.-We publish to-day
full report of one of the most remarkable and
interesting events in the history of the Catholic
Church in this country, the semi-centennial cele
bration of the founding of Mount st. Mary's |
College, at Emmittsburg Maryland which took |
place on the sixth of this month. Fifty years
ago Bishop Dubois, Of New York, arrived at that
spot, young and friendless clergyman from
France, and founded there college for the two
fcld purpose of educating the lay Catholic youth
Of the United States and training missionaries
for the church. In this institution, which is now
the first Of its kind in the country many of the
present bishops and clergy including Archbishop
Hughes. were educated and took orders At the
celebration of Wednesday last the alumni of
the college, lay and clerical bishops, priests and
laymen. assembled in large numbers. twas I'M
doubtedly remarkable affair, and one Of which
il may be safely said that 1t can never occur
again. II will DC seen by the report furnished
by a special reporter whom we despatched there
for that purpose, that 1t was Of highly intellec-
tual character, and embraced in the ranks of the
participators some Of the shining lights of the
Catholic church in this country.
The fact Is undeniable that the Catholic
church Is making rapid strides throughout
the United States. Within year we have
had occasion TO record several Catholic cele-
brations, which, for the splendor of their cere-
monial and high order Of intellect engaged,
have surpassed anything emanating from any
other religious community. There was the con-
secraion of the Bishop of Hartford at Provi-
dence, magnificent ceremony; the solemn dedi-
cation Of several churches and the conservation
Of another-a very rare ceremony-which, ac-
cording to the rules Of the Catholic church, can
only be performed when the building is free from
debt and thus devoted TO the service Of God en-
tirely and forever. Aud recently the foundation
stone of Catholic cathedral has been laid on
Fifth avenue in this city, which, when COM
pleted, will be the most magnificent architectural
structure in the country, superior to many, and
inferior to few Of the ancient cathedrals Of
Europe The other religious communities must
bestr Themselves, and give up their internal
quarrels and sectional strifes, IL they would not
be outrun by the Catholic church, which, though
the oldest Of them all, seems to travel onward
in this country with no lazy footstep, but on the
contrary, with the vigor and swiftness Of youth.
The Nsw CONSTITUTIONS or NIcARAGuA.-On
the 10Th Of August last the Constituent Assem-
bly, Of Nicaragua ratified the new constitution Of
that republic We have a copy Of the new in
strument before u.s. but II il too long and too
much like the general run Of the prolific crop Of
constitutions that has been produced by the Spa
nish- American republics for US to publish.
There are a few points In II, however, which are
worthy of notice, because II claims to be the con-
stitution Of free republic, and because they are
Of the category Of principles that performs the
Office Of wick to the flame Of civil war in those
countries
BY the sixth article the religion Of the repub-
lie is declared to be the Roman Catholic Apos-
tolc, and worship In its forms will be protected
by the government. In the ninth article the
citizens are declared ineligible 10 public once IL
they do not profess the religion Of the republic.
But the gist Of the constitution Is contained In
the fifty sixth article, which reads as follows
When public order v menaced the government may
Issue orders o arrest or impssonment against thc-e
may presume 10 be guilty, and intsrrogAte them,
placing them within the torn Of nhcen days
at liberty or At the disposition o. their re.
the Pr sidcnt should be necessary CONNIE In the
Danish from the republic those suspected 81
Senators either possessory OF a,ernal from different
DEPARTMENTS whom he shall convoke 70 determine by the
3 y sss.os ss s sSg 's
public order Is subverted the President may ne thn
power Aone.
Here we have the whole power Of the consti-
tuition overturned, and tho President made ALSO
lutte over the liberty Of the citizen at all times
when disturbance Is apprehended. A timid, .
tyranncsl, or an unpopular government may al
ways apprehend disturbance. There Is another
concise stipulation, which Is fruitful Of disorder
and popular resistance. The l02d article Is as
follows
For the present, the ecclesiastical and military clss,
privileges shall stand subject to The laws that may be
enacted IN the matter
Thus II will be seen that this new constitution
sustains the three great principles which all
Spanish-America is struggling to overthrow
State religion an absolute executive, and the
class privileges Of the non-working classes Of 40
ciety We cannot believe that such political
code will maintain peace in Nicaragua for the
future any more than II has In the past. 1t Is the
political creed Of Granada--that Of Leon u an
tagonistic to II In every sense.
WHAT Has BECOME OF THE PROPOSED FLoAr-
no BATTERY BY late news from Europe we
learn that Louis Napoleon intended entering
into negotiations with the owners Of the mann
moth iron steamship Leviathan, with the view Of
purchasing and converting her into great float
ing battery for the defence Of the French coast
lie had, 1t appears, some doubts as to the British
government, permitting the sale Of the vessel for