The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-12-08

Il
In the monarchical countries Of Europe, and
particularly at court centres, it has long been
the reproach of republican America that her
sons and her daughters, not always young and
inexperienced, have revealed an affection for
monarchy aud its accompanying institutions
which the highly privileged Europeans them
selves but distantly approach. Benjamin
Franklin set an example which Europe justly
admired and Of which America was not up-
justly proud. We have heard it whispered,
however, and on the very best authority, that
the glory which the shrewd Benjamin won was
originally an accident and due rather 10 the
hardness Of his tailor than to his own integ-
rity. Be this as 1t may, however, the reproach
remains, and the experience of each successive
generation justiies it more and more.
fresh example OF this American toadysm
has just been given, and in a quarter where
1t was least to be expected. Bishop Potter, Of
New York, was one of tho highly
privileged Americans who took part in
the Pan-Anglican Synod recently held at
Lambeth Palace, London, under the presi-
dency of his Grace the Archbishop of Canter-
bury. We do not much wonder that Bishop
Potter should have felt emotions of pride at
meeting in council and taking part on equal
terms with the proud hierarchy OF England.
1t was something to be addressed as @My
Lord" to be peer among many other spirit
ual peers, and to h0b-a-nob with his Grace of
Canterbury and his Grace Of York. Bishop
Potter is only man, and In the company Of
great people, of people admittedly their supe-
rlors, most men are conscious of o certain
citation of soul. Bishop Potter had no cause
to be ashamed Of the company in which he
found himself; on the contrary, he had every
reason to feel proud A wiser man, however
than Bishop Potter, if he had not concealed his
emotions, would at least have been guarded
where and how he revealed them It was nat
ural that the clergy Of the diocese of New
York should present to their spiritual supe-
rior on the occasion Of his return from
Europe congratulatory address. It was
right and proper that the Bishop should
make q reply. It is pity. however,
that in his reply he should have revealed so
large an amount Of toadyism and should SO
completely have justified the reproach that
rests upon the American character. We are
not nation Of toadies, but when men in the
high position Of Bishop Potter reveal the toady
so Enthusiastically we cannot wonder that the
charge should be maintained
We noticed the Bishops address at the time
1t first appeared in print, but we felt no dispo-
sition to enlarge up0n it. 1t would be strange,
we thought If our sharp eyed English cousins
missed the opportunity Of having ding at ua
Our exchanges show that they have not missed
It The Saturday Rev;eso has made it the text
Of one of its characteristics articles, and has
dealt the Bishop and. through the Bishop, the
American people, some smart but not I'M
merited blows. In his reply Bishop Potter
informed his clergy that he ''enjoyed an even
ing with the Archbishop Of Canterbury at his
palace" that he found the Archbishop to be
humble, exemplary and kind Christian man."
and that he left Lambeth "edi6ed and glad
dened by that well spent evening"" In another
part OF his reply he said that he had
visited the palaces Of several of the
bishops" 1t is not to be wondered
at that the Saturday Revie,s should have its
joke about the prominence which the Bishop
gives to palaces" should ask what peculiar
preconceptions he had OF the character of the
Archbishop, since he felt constrained to mem
ton to his clergy that he found him humble,
exemplary, kind and Christian" and should
wonder whether he expected to leave his Grace
otherwise than Aediied and giaddeaed." We
should have imagined that one cody man
would have found and left another godly man
very much as Bishop Potter found and left his
Grace OF Canterbury. Il seems, however, that
our views Of godly men are somewhat different
from those Of Bishop Potter. The Bishops ex-
perience is no doubt larger than ours has been,
and perhaps his expectations were justified by
his superior knowledge. II il were otherwise
it is difficult to acquit the Bishop q certain
amount Of toadyism.
The atmosphere" and "air'- in which
Bishop Potter found himself in England were
such that when he recalled his impressions he
waved positively eloquent Speaking Of the
places which he visited and Of the scenes in
which he mingled, he told his clergy that the
atmosphere which prevailed at these blessed
places was such as to cause glow Of happiness
and an inspiration OF praise to God" and tina.
"prelates living in such cody air could not
fall to bring with them q blessing to their
work, and to be successful" We Americans
are rather proud Of our atmosphere" and our
"air," but when it Is borne in mind that on
this side Of the Atlantic there is no mobility
to cooperate with the clergy "with zeal and
an energy which ape truly Strengthening that
we have no "peers" to aid US with their for
tunes, and to 'build US churches and schools"
il Is the less to be wondered at that the aristo-
cratic tastes Of the Bishop Of New York should
incline him to prefer the atmosphere" and
@.ir' Of aristocratic England. In the Bishops
reply there was nsnch more toadyism Of SIM
liar sort over which the English reviewer ma