The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-06-14

Great Britain gave the Derby government in the
late elections has excited a good deal of as
tOnisbment and Indignation amongst the English
liberals. They cannot understand why men who
have always shown themselves the determined
enemies of Catholic claims should all at once
find active partisans in the clergy OF that per-
suasion. The motive of their assistance is simple
enough. The lesser grievance is lost sight of IN
the greater. Catholic interests find obstacles in
tory resistance, but they are elastic in their cha
racter, and can be made to yield under proper
degree Of pressure. Not 80 the danger with
which the Papal system is threatened at the pre-
sent moment. This comes from the bosom of the
church itself, and is daily assuming more formi'
dable proportions. 1t originates in the conviction
which lie rapidly growing up among enlightened
and intelligent Catholics, that the temporal
abuses which disgrace the Pontificate are
fatal to the progress of their creed They
believe that if the Pope were entirely des-
tituted of his sovereign attributes Catholicism
would make more rapid strides and eventually
become the religion Of the world. The conclu-
zion is founded on premises which, of course,
of thinkers will be disposed to admit. 1t never
theless cannot be denied that it is finding nu-
merous advocates amongst the French and
English Catholics who have never at any time
been distinguished for their ultramontane zeal.
Although the motives Of the present war are
ostensibly political, we believe that the en-
thueiasm with which it has been entered upon
by ihe French and Sardinians is owing In some
measure to this conviction of the necessity Of
thorough reform in the Papal system. The
efforts which Sardinia has already made in this
direction have placed her in position Of re-
ligious as well as Of political antagonimn to Aus
'ria; whilst the one has shown herself the advo-
cate Of progress, the other has manifested
relrogressive tendency in religious mat
ters This in itself would be sufli-
cient cause of hostility, without the other
motives for enmity which exist between them.
1t was certain at some time or other to create
political difficulties of itself, and it has not failed
to exacerbate the differences which have led to
the war.
It is natural that the Romish hierarchy in
Great Britain should espouse the cause of that
Power which has shown itself most conservative
of the temporal rights and privileges of the
church. No one ought, therefore, to feel sur.
prised at Cardinal Wiseman's throwing all the
weight of his influence into the scale of the late
elections The existence of the Derby Cabinet is
believed by the Papal camarilla to be essential
to its safety, for by maintaining it in Office it is
hoped eventually to range England On the side
Of Austria Hence the motive OF the support
given to the ministerial candidates by the Irish
constituencies, which ore, as is well known,
swayed almost entirely by the priests. Ii Eng
land, where mere enlightened religious sent
mens prevails, we believe that the Cardinals in
fuence failed to eDliat any considerable number
Of votes in favor of the government,
Tie sectarian interests which are involved in
this italian question should be allowed to fight out
their differences without intervention from other
sources. If the struggle be, as we believe, in
great measure Catholic one, then it had better
lie confined to those who are within The sphere Of
Catholic Influences. Protestant Germany has
evidently concern with it, and its r reference
will only bring trouble upon it, without adganc-
ing in any degree its own religions or political
welfare.
THE OCEAN YACHT RACE-Thjs affair which