Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1864-01-12
Archhi.koU Hughes.

! The death of this eminent Catholic
prelate, who, since the ytar 1880, has
been amongst the most prominent men in
the United States, is worthy OF more than
a passing notice. He was born in the
north Of Ireland, in 1893, and was, there
fore, over sixty-fve years Of age at the
time Of his death. lie emigTated to this
country in 1917, and was placed with
florist, near Baltimore, to learn the art of
gardening. Having but little taste for
such pursuit, he devoted his spare time
TO study, and when his term Of engage
ment had expired, he entered the seminary
of Mount St. Mary's, Emmisburg, Mary
land. He was orda ned priest in Phila-
delphia, in 1926. In 1890 he accepted
challenge from the Rev. John Breckenridge
to discuss the question: is the Protest
ant religion the religion of Christ J: The
controversy was carried on several months
and attracted univer.a atttnion. In
1884 it was renewed by the Rev. Mr..
Breckenridge proposing an oral discussion
on the question rs the Roman Catho-
ic religion, in any or all its principles and
doctrines. inimical to civil or religious
liberty" Mr.. Hughes Immediately came
forth as the champion Of his creed, and
the debate was published in book form i'll
1886, exciting great interest. In 1887,
Mr.. Hughes became the coadjutor of
Bistop Dubois, of New York, and i'll
1912, on the death of that prelate, he sue
cecded to the full dignities Of his Office.
During series Of years, Bishop Hughes
was conspicuous us the great leader Of
Church measures, which excited public
commotion by their connection with State
affairs. He directed himself to the ques-
tion Of the tenure Of Church property.
He consolidated all the Churches, and
secured the title to all Of them in his
own name. This afterwards gave rise to
lively controversy between himself and
Erastus Brooks, of the Exprcss. who de-
clarcd that Archbishop Hughes owned
property in New York, in his own name
to the value of 81, 200, 600. He was also
the leader on the School Question, which
so long agitated the State Of New York,
wherein he contended that the Catholic
proportion of the taxes for school-purpo-
scs should be paid over to the benefit of
Catholic schools themselves. The Catho-
lies showed themselves SO strong that
modification of the existing system was
effected. In 1850 New York was raised
to the dignity of an Archiepiscopal See,
and Archbishop Hughes proceeded to
Rome to receive the pallium at the hands
of the Pope. On the 10th of August,
1858, he lail the cornerstone OF new
Cathedral, designed to be one of the
grandest church edifces in America. At
the outbreak of the present rebellion, the
Archbishop came to the support of tho
Government with all his impetuous frrvor.
In connection with Thurlow Weed, he
was selected by the President to proceed
on mission to Europe, and there he rem
dercd our cause signal service by his great
influence as high Catholic dignitary,
and his lofty and unaiiswerable arguments.
He returned considerably shattered i'll
health, but continued to support the war
by his able pen and powerful oratory.
He has been attacked violently for his
speech to I" The Men of New York." du-
ring the late riots; but fair criticism Will
not impute to that appeal any lack Of pa
triotism it was uttered with a full know
ledge of human nature and the style OF
argument that would effectually reach and
have weight with the mass he was ad-
dressing. Besides his controversial works,
Archbishop Hughes has published num-
Der of lectures and pamphlets, and elabo-
rate books treating on religion.