Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-11-06
St. Domingo-Arrival of the. .Papal Nunoio

ST.. DOMINGO, October ., lS68.-Re-
ligion and steam enterprise have OF late
each presented its accredited ambassa-
dor to the Dominican Republic, and
both have been received with due con-
sideration by the Baez Cabinet. The
former comes in the person OF the Most
Reverend Apostolic Vicar Louis de Bug
genoms, aud the latter, of the very ener-
eetic Judge Sullivan. The arrival OF the
Papal Nuucio has created quite sensa-
ton here, as it is likely to have a great
influence, both upon the religious and
secular destinies Of the republic. To
full understanding of this brief resume
of the Church history in the island is
necessary.
When San Domingo became inde-
pendent of the mother couHtry her clergy
cast loose many of the ties which bound
them to the Spanish church, and the re-
ligious institutions ofthe country, already
sorely pervertej, we're debssed by all the
vices and folies growing out OF anarchy.
Schools worthy of the name ceased to
exist, the church edifces and institutions
of charity sunk to ruin and the gy as
| q class became so demoralized that the
friars of old Spain remaining in the
country, themselves not models OF purity,
were compelled to cry out against the
loose morals and bad Latin of the Do
mipican priesthood and call on the head
of the Church upon earth to look after
his stray lambs. This was precisely what
the Dominicans wished to avoid. They
nreferred the easy rule which custom had
established-a rule satisfied with just so
much Latin as the breyiariea required ana
which in no way interfered with sucn
small triflas as Sunday cock-hghting, in'
cessant gambling or families OF young
children of unacknowledged parentage,
charitably taken care of by good nstured
padres who had not found it good to be
alone.
When the Papal representative first
came to inquire into the condition OF the
Church he was told that the native clergy
would not submit to foreign dictation, and
the Dominican Congress, with great ig-
norapce or want of reverence, proceeded
10 elect an archbishop on political
grounds, and with credentials, doubtless
originated for the occasion, he was sent
off 10 Rome for conservation. Ii Is, per-
hans. needless to say that be was not
consecrated, and the vicar was directed
to return to San Domingo, and perform
the duties of the Episcopate dd interim,
in comnliance with which order he is
now here. Baez. who fully appreciates
the condition Of the Church, IS anxisus 10
elevate it from its present slough oil vic
ness, and, in an interview with the wear
has expressed his readiness to sustain
him to the extent Of his power, feeling
that the orders of the PontIf must be re-
spected. All connection between Church
and State is dissolved, aud it is deter
mined that the Church. 10 adapting itself
10 the condition Of affairs, shall follow
the example Of that body in the United
Sta,esin the matter Of government The
nadres of San Domingo were at FIRST re-
; Sellious. but the high talents. steadiness
and f;rmpess Of the vicar have prevailed,
and All have finally yielded but with Que
erception. What results from all this is
the withdrawal Of the Church from al
nartiripation in political imbroglios,
heretofore A fruitful source Of trouble,
and. Il Is hoped, its ultimate reformation
and the CONSEQUENT eject Of good inna'
ence and example upon the people o..
The other embassy has been equally
suocessfuL Judge Sullivan. on behalf ol
parties in New York and New Orleans,
has closed q contract with this govern
msnt for q monthly line Of sieAmer'
between those cities aud San Domingo
10 be changed TO semi monthly hereafter
at the optioH Of the company. A prom
iueut feature of this enterprise is fne
establishment Of coasii-s hs. N con
nection With the larEersieamers. An easJ
stretch of I've hundred miles viii form
connection With the Spanish steamers q
Porto Rico on the east, and vith th'