The New York herald., 1870-01-18
= ln tho Ecuncuical Csuncai-
Tho Infaliibilisy Question.

from Rome and from London reHecting the
aspect of things inside the Council. Over
threo hundred Of the assembled Fathers have
refused to sign tho petition in favor OF infalli-
bility. There are, It Is added, however,
many who have returned evaslve answers;
| but i. is in contemplation to get up counter
petition, and it is confidently expected that the
adherents Of infallibility will be defeated. At
the same time we have 1t from London on tho
authority of tho Tablet, q Catholic journal and
Ultramontane in its tendencies, that the major
ity in favor Of infallibility win be enormous.
The London Times. arguing from the known
desires of the Holy Father himself and from
the determined spirit which aninates tho
Jesuits and Ultramontanists generally, comes to
the conclusion that the presence Of the French
troops in Rome may encourage the Pope to
insist upon infallibility and the Syllabus.
This is the situation up to the date of our
latest news. It is now notorious that the
trouble which we long ago predicted has
begun to take shape. That the trouble Is very
serious we do not for moment doubt; for we
do not forget that the manner in which the
proceedings are conducted and the secrecy
which is observed regarding the same make
it exceedingly difficult for the outside world
| to get at the actual facts. Facts have oozsd
| out; the Council has already, as we have said
| il would, proved leaky; SO much has this been
| the case that ono of tho Pope's Lcgates has
stated, with some bitterness, that the Fathers
were not strictly faithful to their pledge
of secrecy; but as yet we know only in
part-we see through glass darkly. 1t is
known that the Pope has not changed his mind
either in regard to the Syllabus or in regard to
infallibility. II is known that the Jesuits,
and, indeed, the whole Ultramontane party,
would rather see the Council dissolved than
fail in carrying their point. 1t is known that
Archbishop Manning Is determined to carry
out his purpose, and force, if possible, the pro-
clamaton that the word of the Pope is the
word Of God, and equally infallible. It is
known that the Bishop of Orleans and the
Archbishop of Paris, who is notoriously in the
confidence of Napoleon, are both decidedly
the Syllabus, and, indeed, to the arbitrary
manner generally in which the business of the
Council is being managed, and that among
the liberal bishops of France they have a
numerous and obedient following. 1t is known
that Cardinal Schwarzenberg, the Prince Pri-
mate Of Bohemia, did take steps to organize a
powerful opposition on the part of the liberal
Catholics Of Germany; and, in spite Of the
runor that his heart had failed him at the last
moment, we have good reason to believe that
he still remains faithful to his original pro-
gramme. 1T is also known-and we refer our
readers for the facts to letter which we pub
lsh in this days HERALD from the pen of our
special correspondent-tha the American
bishops, who were supposed to be 80 obse-
qlious, are no longer unit as to the proceed
ings and plans Of the Council All this is
known and much more; but want OF space
compels us TO limit our catalogue of facts.
Enough certainly has for some time been
known to warrant us in saying that trouble was
brewing. Our latest intelligence proves that
the trouble is begun.
1t is no longer doubtful that the Council is
to be scene Of strife. 1t will be seen from
our correspondence to-day that the American
bishops have been meeting in caucus. This is
sign of life. II will not surprise us il the pre-
lmnary meeting or caucus, or whatever you
choose to call 1t, becomes general with the
bishops Of the different nationaiities. It will
enable them to canvass each others opinions
and to put into effect their common sentiments.
At any rate we shall expect to hear of more
discussion outside the Council and of longer
speeches in the Council than at one time
seemed likely. But how shall 1t end? What
is to be the issue! These are questions which
many are anxiously asking; but who can give
to the questions positive answer! 1t is our
conviction that in spite Of the three hundred
Fathers who have signed petition against the
infallibllity dogma there is yet power in the
Council to enable the Pope and his friends to
have it proclaimed At tho same time three
hundred is large number. There cannot be
over seven hundred and fifty in the Council
who ore entitled to vote. If by any chance
the three hundred oppositionists should swell
to four hundred the Church and the world
might be spared an insult and the Papacy
might still have before 1t career of usefulness
and prosperity. 1t is just possible that the
oppositionists, though they should not be able
TO command On actual majority, may become
so numerous and so influential as to compel
the Pope to abandon the idea Of infallibility
for the present. All things considered, this
would be the wisest course even now. 1t can
not but be apparent to the Holy Father HIM
self-for it is. apparent to all the world-that
the proclamation Of such dogma would intro
duce sword rather than peace into the
Church. If the matter is brought to vote,
no matter which party wins, the defeated
party will feel aggrieved and schism will
be the inevitable result. We know how
unwilling good Catholics are to disobey the
mandates Of their Church. But the question