The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-10-08

Wtiucu III iavoF VI tulS CONSTITUTIONAL amend
ment; glad, because we are satisfied that q
word from him to Virginia, South Carolina,
Arkansas or Texas will settle the question.
The Catholic Church in Council.
The proceedings of the Second Plenary
Council Of the Catholic Church in the United
States commenced at Baltimore yesterday with
great solemnity. We give full report of the
ceremonies in another part of the paper, in
Guiding the brilliant and logical address of
Archbishop MoCloskoy.
Gatherings Of this kind Of the dignitaries OF
the Catholic Church are not frequent, but they
are always attended with important results,
not alone to the rules and discipline Of the
church itself, which they are convened to regu-
late, but to The morals and conduct Of vast
community. On the present occasion the
Council il invested with a remarkable signif-
canoe apart from its spiritual character. Some
considerations OF a political nature must necea-
sarily enter into the deliberations of the heads
of the church affecting matters both at home
and abroad.
|, The temporal sovereignty OF the Pope is on
the eve Of collapse. His future destiny ia
, source Of anxiety to the whole Catholic mind
Of Europe, and !. may NOT be improbable that
this question will occupy the serious attention
of the representatives OF the Catholic mind Of
They may observe that Mexico, prominent
Catholic State. is not only in condition Of
confusion and decay, but that with the de-
parture OF Macmillan, which cannot be long
delayed, that republic will most assuredly bs-
come the prey Of contending chiefs and her
hand and firm government she cannot be
saved from psrdition. Although the Pope has
not been able to effect much for the
good OF his people Is q temporal prince
in the midst Of the large monsrchies Of Europe,
who knows what he might accomplish ~ the
head OF popular spiritual government, ruling
= vast Catholic people without sceptre or tiara
Mexico is the centre Of Catholicity in the New
World, a. Italy has been for q thousand years
in The Old. The civilizing power of the church
which has already redeemed Europe from bar
bsrism in the early ages, preserved it's histori-
cal records, infused tho spirit Of obedience
and inculcstcd systems 0; discipline among It's
peoples until from the chaos ofpsganism came
condition Of standardization chrysalis ont
Of which humsnzing influences, forms Of gov
eminent, the rights and duties Of the governed
aud the governors were all developed-who
knows hut this power may be destined 10
create in the South American nations that civil
lization which il once established in Europe!
Such ideas, in connection with the ambiguous
future OF the Holy Father, may occur to the
enlightened ecclesiastics now in council, in
addition to the grave questions OF church dis
cipline, new appointments OF sees, and other
matters Of like nature which will principally
claim their attention. The spiritual power Of
the Pope il secured TO him, according to the
dogmas Of the church, for all time. That can
not be disturbed by the action of kings, empe-
rors or statesmen. Neither Victor Emanuel,
nor Napoleon, nor the potent Bismarck, nor
even the decisions Of councils, provincial,
pleuAry or ecumenical can effect il. But the
provision 70 be made for Plus the Ninth after
he ceases TO WELD temporal sovereign power
in few years from now--or ii may be less--is
question that might naturally claim the earnest
solicitude OF the heads Of the church In conn
try exercising so profound an influence upon
the world at large as the United States does al
this day.
There il another question also of .
political character which we are assured will
form part Of their deliberations ct Baltimore,
and that IL the condition OF the emancipated
blacks all over the South. The church, being
universal in We organization, makes no dis
tinction Of race, color or language In the dis
tribution Of ito civilizing influences Finding
some three millions Of people suddenly thrown
on their own resources for education, having
no strong arm TO lean upon, and wholly unable
TO help themselves In the matter Of moral cul-
ture. the church will probably extend the
powerful aid OF ito well organized educational
system to elevate the negroes into moral and
useful element In the community. Under this
system We have examples in the history Of all
nations OF extraordinary good being effected
among the most untutored classes. As teach
ers the clergy OF the Catholic church have bad
| NO equals, and If II should happen that the
poor negroes Of the Southern States are
brought under their training and discipline
| the country may have reason to be thankful
for an accession to il population oia class OF
moral, intelligent and useful citizens
| Outside the limits Of orthodox believers
thsre may be yer, little interest skschsd 70