The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-20
Father Hyacinfhe in America.

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with Father Hyacinthe. Since his arrival at
New York on Monday he has been inter-
viewed, probed and bored to the limit of
human endurance. He is the latest and great
est sensation His first experience in the
United States might give him q strange impress
sion of the American people, bordering on the
ridiculous, were he not man of comprehen-
sive views and philosopher. We have no
doubt he understands both the character of
newspaper enterprise in this country and that
the excrescence Of it. No doubt he will appre-
ciate the real heartfelt welcome he receives
from generous republican people, and will DO
able to make distinction between this and
the annoyance he may be subject to from
bores and those endeavoring to glorlfy them
selves by interviews or by hanging to his
skirts. Though this is his first visit to
America, and though he may not understand
some of the peculiarities of the American
people, he is good judge Of human nature;
and human nature, in its general characters
tics, is the same all over the civilized world.
SO far he has shown great tact in his converse
tons with those who have approached him.
While he will not be drawn into controversies,
the attitude he holds with regard to the Catho-
lie Church and the ultramontane party in that
Church.
One of the first questions that naturally
arises is, what is the object of this dstin-
guished priest and orator in visiting America
just at this time? Another is, what relat ions
will he hold with the Church in America and
the Church with him? His visit here has
been spoken of as a mission; not, however, as
having been commissioned by any ecclesiastical
authority to come to- this country, but as having
sclf-constituted and religious mission. But,
judging from what he has said aud from the
whole tenor of his conduct, there is no reason
to believe he comes on any special mission.
Liberal as his views are, and much as he may
desire to see the Catholic Church reformed
and placed more in rapport with the spirit Of
the age, he has given no evidence that heels q
propagandist or that he is prepared to assume
all independent puDuC CalCoI Outoluo VI tuO
Church. Whatever he may come to or be
driven to by the necessities of his position
hereafter, he still adheres to the Catholic faith
and discipline, as he understands them.
Father Hyacinthe has come to America
because he has been suspended from his func-
tons by the superior of his order, and for the
present has leisure to travel; he comes, too,
no doubt, to allow the storm he has raised
in Europe to take its course while he
calmly watches at a distance the effect.
But as man of large and liberal
views he comes to study this great
country and its institutions. or, to use his own
words, as expressed to our reporter, che came
to America to learn" for, as he said, ''there
in all the countries of Europe" He intends
to stay here two months, at least, and to spend
good deal of the time in travelling. 1t is
likely he may have another object in view,
which prudence might prevent him from
expressing, and that is to study the dispo-
sitlon of Catholics and the Catholic priest
hood in America on the question Of religious
reform he has raised. Admiring the liberal
institutions of this country, religious tolerance
here and the perfect freedom Of expression,
he may have thought the Catholics of the
United States would endorse his conduct and
views, aid that he would find sympathy here
even among those Of his own Church. If so
he may be mistaken; for while the Catholics
of America are liberal in political matters, and
love their free republican institutions, they
are as much devoted to the Church and its
discipline as any people in the world, the
Irish or Spaniards not excepted. Should he
be condemned by the Pope or the Church in
France it is not likely he would be permitted
to enter pulpit in any Catholic church in this
country. We question if he would be allowed
to do 80 now, under the present ban of his
Order, if he should desire it.
Where, then, is Father Hyacinthe to go?
between him and the Church is irreparable.
He is not the man to go back from the ground
he has taken, and from all appearances the
Church Is not likely to yield the reforms he
demands, nor even to meet him half way. Is
the world, then, to lose the brilliant eloquence
of this famous preacher and the benefit of
one of the brightest intellects Of modern
times? He is, we suppose, too thorough and
earnest Catholic to join any of the Pro-
testant sects. They will make the greatest
efforts to get hold Of him, no doubt, and we
expect to see many attempts to lioni7e him
and to catch him by the Professionals, particu-
larly by the New England Puritan free
thinkers and latitudinarians but we think they
will fail. We doubt if he could be induced
to go into one of their pulpits. Where, then,
will Father Hyacinthe go? And what will be
his future career? Will he or can he divide
the Catholic Church? That is doubtful, at
least to any considerable extent. Still it
would be unfortunate If his great intellect and