New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-01-29

Il
Po,rF. Jan. 4.-The meetings of the General Con-
oreeation referred to in my letter OF Dec %, nave
heen continued by adounments from day to day
until this morning On Thursday they took yaca-
don Of three days, including the festival OF New
yoar's which is always celebrated with great pomp
aud festiyltv IN Rome and continued the session on
uopdov II is understood that the sessions were OF
moro than usual length, each one occupying tour OF
eye bours instead Of two as has heretofore for inc
most mart been the case. The brazen paddock sun
f,ly binds the lips of the Fathers, and little has
,,rspired in regard TO their proceedings l can
o,ly tell Won that among the speeches that
we're made the most important were those
II the Roumanan preate. Monselgnieur
v.ncsa Archbishop of Fogaras and Alba Julia,
Nor. Strossmayer bishop of Bosnia and Slrmlo,
Mrr. Ginoulhac bishop of Grenoble and Mgr.
Coi,,l y Fstrade. bishop of Urgcl each of whom
addressed the Council in an elaborate discourse on
Thursday of last week Yesterday morning, the
rre-ilipg Cardinal announced to the CongreG cation
tbe names of the four preates, Cardinal Reisach
Cardinal Peutiui. Bishop Manastyrski, and Bishop
rr.co1l, yybo have died since the opening
% fine Couucl A brief commemorative euogy on
tho deceased is said to have evinced deep emotion,
oltbogcb can scarcely imagine an expression of gem
nine feeling in the scholastic medieval Latin which
is tbe regulation language of the Council This was
followed by the announcement that His Holiness
had selected Cardinal dc Angels as a President of
the General Congregation in the place which had
bten vacated by the death of Cardinal Rcisach.
OF course this appointment takes one by surprise,
LISA part of the settled policy of the Pope to fill all
important offices with his own adherents. His infiu-
ence is thus dfused through every ramifcation o.
the Council aud he becomes virtually omnipresent
through the medium of his satellites. Cardinal De
Angels has held prominent position in the Sa-
cred College He has shared largely in the conf
aence and the affection of the Pope No man has
been more Jealous supporter Of his peculiar ideas,
and few have contributed more by their subtlety of
plan and shrewdness of management to their prcya-
ence in the Church. He had been already placed on
the important Commission of Twenty-SiX for receiv-
in. propositions presented for discussion in the
Council: and the new Office clothes him with addi-
tonal influence, in fact amounting to veto Oh the
liberty of speech by an obnoxious member, which he
will not fail to use in the interests of his master. The
names of the Deputaton on Religious Orders,
elected AT previous meeting Of the General Con
prccation were next announced. This Deputation,
like those on Faith and Discipline, is discreetly
packed in favor Of foregone conclusions. Among its
prominent members are the archbishop of T0rragon,
the bishop of StrasbuIg the archbishop of Quito the
archbishop of Olmutz the archbishop of Milan, and
a number Of lother Italian bishops. There is no
British prelate on the list and Of the American
clergy, only the Rev. lDr. Ryan, bishop of Buffalo.
Cardinal Blio was declared to be the>choice of the
Pope as President Of the Deputation on matters Of
Fath and Cardinal Caterui, President Of the
DeputatiOn on Ecclesiastical Discipline. With
the exception of the DeputatiOn on Oriental
Rites, the Council is now completely organ
lied. and nothing in that regard prevents its
I Toll hou hot
thus far nothing but desutory conversations have
taken place in the meetings of the General COngre-
CATION Several important topics have come up, but
none have been settled There has been no decision,
no decree. and they who look for an interesting
promugation in the public session Of day after to-
morrow will be disappointed. To the best of my be-
lief no progress has been made The Council Hall
still continues TO battle both speaker and hearer and
is fatal not only to all displays of eoquence, but to
facility of debate The echo is like thunder, and
the only response to the most fervent appeals is
confused volume of sound The effect on the outsider
is almost ludicrous. From the closed doors
Of the cOnclavc, yOu hear succession OF
moarthly noises. 4 Father rises TO speak,
and ignorant Of the compass OF the Han
inyOluutarily begins to experiment with his voice
Now il is uaudible to the nearest listener. and now
it is raised to such an unnatural pitch as to break INTO
a strange scream. At times the sounds seem TO come
from party of Tate viragOs and you would say that
the Fathers Of the Church had got each other by the
ears. Idon not know whether there is any help for
this Al present, the defects of the Hall appear to
be without remedy. Many attempts have been made
to cure the evil, but thus far without success.
Science is at fault in the matter and ii seems to be
the general opinion that the trouble is hopeless, and
must be made the best Of The great astronomer,
Professor Secch has been appealed to for advice;
he is said to have made some valuable suggestions;
but MP TO this day they have not proved eflectual
F,Ii r,rraied conversations with one Of the most
enlightened and liberal Catholic divines from the
United States. now in attendance on the Council,
infer that 10 essential change has taken place III It's
political aspect since its opening on the Eighth Of De-
ecmber A large majority are undoubtedly IN favor
Of establishing the IfallibllIty Of the Pope as
dogma. They are the friends of absolute power III
civil government and of absolute unity III the
Church In virtue of his Office as successor OF ST.
Peter and Vicar of Christ the Pope IS claimed TO be
the dcpositary of universal truth, as well as OF
plenary authority. He holds the keys OF the King
dom OF Heaven 1t is his prerOgatiye to dispense Tor
Cyencss Of SINS TO bind and loose III the court OF
conscience 10 announce TO man the DEGREES Of the
Almighty. lie rules the Church by divine night; he
derives his power from no human source but is him
self the fountain of all power; the clergy are his
creatures and instruments and have no appeal from
his sovereign will. If his authority is thus para
mount in the Church. On still stronger grounds
should it be paramount in secular governments AS
all authority is from God and as he the represent
alive Of God on earth, his dominion naturally en-
braces the rule Of human sovereigns To him. their
fealty is due from him, their authority emanaes and
Of him. they hold the charter of their temporal rights
The Infallibility of the Pope according to these
81 ,o1r lo.,, ,;,oIl L.,