The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-01-16
The Late Archbishou Hughes.

The Petersburg InteIigencer has an obituary of
this most dangerous preiate, who actually enlisted
more men against the South than any one man at
the North. We publish his obituary with respect.
| full, yet cheerful, alacrity:
Few names are more celebrated, or have stood
more prominent in the stormy politics of the State
of New York. Called TO the EpscO pate in Jauua-
ry 1888, for quarter of century he has ruled the
most populous and most influential diocese be-
longing to his church iu the once United States
OF commanding intellect, and an eloquent preach
er he has long been looked to by the Roman Catho
lies of the North IA at once the ornament and de-
fence Of their oft-assailed creed. An Irshman by
birth, he belonged to a generation OF exiles that
remembered, perhaps felt the remorselcss tyranny
of the British Government during the insurrection
of 1893, when that unhappy country was delivered
up to the unhridied license of brutal soldiery,
animated with the fierce hatred of an opposite
creed An enthusiastic Irishman, he remembered
and resented the wrongs Of his native land, and
hence, was ever found in the ranks of those who
have struggled through good report and evil report
to free SCREEN Erin' from British rule.
This cherished object has been the favorite day
dream Of thousands of intelligent Trishmen, who
fondly hope the day may come, when, with tho
assistance Of the United States, an American in
vasioH will wrench ireland from the British En-
piie. This is the key which deciphers the mystic
rous eagerness with which the Irish rushed to
list under the stars and stripes for Southern sub
jugation. Any political movement which weak
ened the United States postponed the revenge up
on England, aud hence the sacuhce of blood BY
lFlenme0 Tor tHe RESTORATION Inc UNION. Like
all enthusiasts, they became the dupes Of unscru-
pulous politicians, and are now slowly, but surely,
recovering from the deception practsed On them by
Meagher and other Irish demagogues, at the In
stance of the Yankee Government.
In politics, under the old Government, the late
Archbishop leaned to the Wings. For years he
was the public and private friend Of Seward, and
those who have had better opportunity of know
ing than the writer of this sketch incit1cd to
the opinion that that astute and interruptions man
made an undue impression upon mind unnerved
by extreme age and burtbened with the spiritual
government of All extensive arch diocese, contain
ing upwards Of six hundred thousand Roman
Catholics. This may partially account for the
Archbishop's undue activity against the South at
the commencement Of the war. But complaint
being made to the Holy See, he was Indirectly
sured by a letter commanding "prayera for peace"
irrespective Of terms for the restoration of the
Union.
Bishop Hughes's sentiments during the last few
months of his life; but, judging from the course
pursued by paper published under his patronage.
a change must have taken place. The Freeman's
Journal, the official organ OF the arch diocese, has
taken the lead In fierce opposition to Lineoln's
Government. While,niany newspapers have sue
eumbed TO Lincon's despotnm, it has refused to
bow before ''Baal,'' and Is distinguished by Its
bitter sarcasms and outspoken denunclatiOn of
Northern tyranny. II may be presumed that the
Archbishop, at least, did not disapprove of the
honest independence of his official organ.
Archbishop Hughes was a fearless coLtr0versi-
alist--he never decliued contest, and seemed to
love to live in an atmosphere of controversy. He
was a formidable opponent, and possessed keen
powers of sarcasm Joined TO a strain Of native wit,
which generally placed his opponent, when enga-
ged in political topics, I'm ridiculous light 1t is
but right TO say that many sincere members of his
church regretted his prominence polite cian.-
They preferred that the sacred office Of Bishop
should be kept clear of the dust of the political
arena. But lie was The idol of his ow', flock, who
looked up to him with unbOunded reverence and
affection. His influence was great and 'shis name
was tower of strength to his people" This may
account for the latitude hitherto given to the
"FSecmdns .Jourral.' Despotic Lincoln and
Seward are, they shrunk from a contest with
" John, Archbishop, Of New York -" He was
power in the State and welded an influence which,
we think, will not descend with bis Office TO hts
successor.
His private character was irreproachable-he
was hosptable and generous to the distressed.-
His fauls Gftenperament, as displayed In his pub
lie discussions, were those of his country; bat he
never harbored resentment, and wrote As he spoke,
from the impulse Of the moment.
he was for years the object of attack to a certain
class Of New York politicians, and certainly he
did not die In their debt for when ne struck he hit
hard and when the contest closed his opponent
had but little to boast of. He died at an advanced
age eighty we believe and has left his record in
the local history of New York ~ one Of the great
men of his day 1t 10 IamentabIe that his last days
were devoted to an unbaly advocacy of the worst
cause that demons and devils ever advocated.