Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1859-10-01
THE RESTORATION OF BISHOP oypERpoyy

hf~'lOhAlION VI BiSHDP ONDERDO\k
The course pursued by those Interested In the move
ments nov foot for the restoration of Bshop Onder
donk aud the which has yeed those
have given rise many distorted and incorrect views OF
the whole affair. We last enabled to present In
our readers short and concise statement o. the matter
as II stands upon what deem unirn autbov
lev months ago the restoration OF Bishop Onderionk
was proposed by influential member of the CLERGY
Who strange TO say Of the first prom pters OF
the movement which led to his deposition aud one
ahdaNs ON the trial went far in influencing the subse-
Guent verdict In connection with several other Clergy
men this gentleman framed n petition to the House az
Bishops, which has since been circulated for pnarps
Une OF the very hrst sgners to this document the
Rev Dr. Anhon who also prominent for his opposi
ton TO the eIBishop fifteen years since But he has
publicly announced the withdrawal of his name On. OF
the clergy to whom the petition presented expressed
ms readiness TO sign il condition that the Bshop on
h rcstora,on should cede the Provisional Bishop ali
the authority OF his Office. To this the reply was that
as the Bishop had been deposed without conditions he
should also be restored without conditions
There several documents in this affair which will
be laid before the Hous of Bishops the Tennial Con
'en,on next month The first of these is the memorial
oil tile clergy, IN which is affixed the signatures Of those
who are u favor Of Bishop Onierdouks restoration Ac
companying this j. the petition of the venerable
oP himself and third document the contents of which
have been grossly msrepresented by those who only
Ahe" o ts existence without being of its Signh-
cation.
The document relates the of the diocese in
o Bishop OnderdOnks restoration. Some of the secu
lar as well religious papers have given their readers
to understand that Bishop 0nderdOnk confesses his guilt
Jnhe' the court which condemned him, and hopes for
his restoration through his publicly expressed pentenc
for past msdeeds. This impression has with reason
given rise TO structures upon the desire Of tb.
Bishop TO resume Episcopal functions and as no mains
have been taken by the parties Who fully of
the real contents OF the document this n,pres-
sion, Is not surprising that the Bishop should be
harshly judged. We are, however assured that the
Bishop plainly reiterates his innocence of the alleged
crimes for which he deposed, but thinks he NAV
have committed imprudences which in the eyes of bs
prosecutors may have appeared sufficient Justification for
their course is unfortunate for the clearer expana
on OF TINS important point that the precise language Of
ths document cannot be obtained The holders of il
however, think that as all the papers in the matter are
prepared for presentation to the House of Bishops il
would be indeicate well unconstitutional to puIi-b
them before laying them before the parties to whom they
are addressed Bishop Onderdonk thus denying his sri
and assuming tue human lllibiiy OF his proecutor-
Hho howeEer conscientious, may have been misIed by
deceptive Appeaanccs-as the cause of his denozon
aud after fifteen years OF retirement seeks TO resume his
Episcopal oce II successful he will he received with
out expressed conditions, but with the ndnp
that the Affairs of the diocese viii be conducted by Bis
or Potter. Bishop onderdonL will perform such Eps
copai functions he be desired PERFORM but he
i not the thrust him self upon any parish uh,
would prefer the services OF the Provisional Bshop Dr
OndcFdonk Is seventy years of age and il ia NOT
surprising that Inc should wish remove the stigma thai
| has so long rested OH his name
There shades of party in this r,oro
rrni: One including the great majority OF the moder.
aud loHchGrch clergy, who either believe in Dr. nder-
donks innocence, and deem him ~rouged man or tbpL
mat II guilty, his subsequent exemplary life deserves
their charitable regards and should atone for his ndis
cretions The other party-a minority however-i-
composed of some of the clergy Who hold to the perma
hency OF the Episcopal Office. 'Once Bishop always
Bishop, IL their MOTTO and depoSe concentra;ei
man Is III their opinion touching the Lords am onte
The project OF the subdivision Of the diocese though
bas supporters il not universally acc-ptAble-Bsbop
Potter does not desire it, aud certain that the
ter will be at all brOached before the Diocesan Conyen
| tiOn next week.
The opinion outside of the Church seems be that
eoncedng the efficacy OF the Bishops repentance be
ought h. Internationally restored IL /, main
taned that what would be regarded disquA,
to s election at first ought TO be regarded objections
TO s restoration No one supposes that il he had been
guilty of the indscretions charged him. any repent.
anc" would have made him eligible candidate for bis
sacred Office; and no repentance makes him qualified
without scandal 10 resume its functions ii restored il
Is remarked that he should be restored the condition
ol immediate resignation; this would manifest the for.
giving disposition OF his associates without injury TO the
good name Of the Church.-N. y Post.