New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-01-18


moral courage can break through; the timid and
lukewarm are caught in it's meshes; while the holder
and more earnest spirits in the Council like Dupan
loup and the German preates left to conduct the
battle of Catholic freedom, not precisely single
handed but with comparatively feeble support Still
il is believed that they will make a vigorous fight.
They are sustained by the Austrian preates, and the
Bishops of Bohemia and Hungary the Archbishops
of Paris Rheims and Avignon are with them; and
portion certainly of the episcopate of Italy, Ireland
and the United States. good deal of curiosity Is
felt as to the position which will be taken III the con-
test by the Oriental bishops, the aid of part of
whom, am informed, is confidently relied on by the
liberal party in the Council. 1t is also currently be-
leved in Rome that the General of the Jesuit Order
is at heart opposed to the policy of his brethren He
is reported to have said that for the sake of
ering few drblets of ecclesiastical power, the
JesuRs are willing to urge on a universal war-but
they will only lose everything by the attempt
1t is a proof of his liberal tendencies that
he has appointed theologian to the Council of
the most free-minded and erudite scholars of the
Order Father De Bucq, man who is said to cherish
not the fantest sympathy with the ambitious views
and serpentine policy of his brethren. Nor is 1t TO
be supposed that the Jesuits of Rome correctly rep
resent the spirit of the whole religious society An
eminent American divine friend of the Jesuits
had with him earnestly protested against the idea
The Jesuts, as a religious order, are not unit in
their policy, nor in the measures which they adopt
for its promotion. Outside of the sphere of dogma
and discipline they give wide scope to individuality.
Be this may there is doubt of the zeal or the
craft of the Jesuits in Rome to fortfv the power OF
the Pope by the declaration of his personal lnfal
biity Nor are they the to be easily discounted
If they do not carry their point in this matter, 1t will
not be through want of courage, or want Of conWc-
ton, but because they think that change OF tao
ties is the wisest course for the present.
The recent proceedings in the Spanish CoTtes IN
regard to the Gcumenlcal Council an account OF
which was received here yesterday, naturally
awakens not little interest an illustration of
the policy of the liberal European Governments.
You will perceive from the documents thatwere pub
lshed in Madrid on the 10th inst. in consequence of
the debate. and which viii doubtless reach you be-
fore this letter that previous 10 the opening Of the
Council the Spanish Minister of State, Senior MartOs
addressed letter TO his Charge d Affairs in Rome,
describing the fears which had been aroused lest the
Council should assume hostile attitude towards
the secular powers and expose the internal peace of
the nations TO danger. At the same time he ex
presses the hope that the Heads Of the Universal
Church, assembled in critical moment
will not far forget their own interests as 10 de-
clare tlclT own SplllI Win Ihc SIIliV
that gives life and vigor to the modern world Bat
should the improbable case occur of the Catholic
Church seeking to invade the dominion of the tenn
poral powers the Spanish Government viii doubt
less find means to preserve its dignity, and repe
such understandable intusions. To the same DuT-
port is the reply of Senior Martos to the Circular of
Prince Hohenloe to the BavaTian ministers at for
eign courts now published for the first time. In that
he takes the ground that if the doctrines OF the Syla
bus are converted into DEGREES OF the Council
it would be open declaration OF war
without truce between the Catholic Church
and the political institutions OF the age, and
would at once lead to the separation OF Church
and State in all the nations of Europe. lie is per
shaded that such an outrageous measure as estab-
fishing the illmitable power OF the Holy See and
condemnlng the ideas which form the essence of
modern civilization could be carried only by arice
and would never obtain the approval of the Supreme
Poutif Under this conviction, the Spanish Govern
meut could place 10 ImpedIments 10 the attendance
of ITS prelates in the deliberations of the Council
Still il admits the necessity OF combined action on
the part of the European Powers, should hostile
position be assumed by the General Council Spain
will not hesitate to take part in the liberal move
ments which aim to preserve the tranquility OF
Europe and TO sustain the progressive conqnestS OF
civilization under the ;ncnaccs OF ecclesiastcs.-
Such manifestations of public opinion in high potI-
cal quarters cannot fail to exert influence even
upon Roman obstnacy and prejudice. The declara-
tious Of the Spanish Minister have come to light
at an opportune moment. They Will tend to
strengthen the hands of the sagacOus prelates who
foresee the disastrous consequences that will ensuc
from carrying into effect the audacious projects OF
the Jesuits. No one now doubts-and the opinion
daily receives fresh cOnfTmaton-that the policy OF
clothing the Holy See with absolute power involves
perils of the crayest character. The advocates of
the policy are no less sensible of this than others,
and they are now stranng every neryeso 10 gid the
pill that it may be swallowed without cOnvulson.
Meantime Bishop Dupanloup and his trusty
helpers are On the alert. They know the subtcty,
the adroituess. and the uuscrupulOnsneSs Of the
enemy with whom they have 10 contend The Span
isb movement furnishes them with fresh weapon,
perhap, of less potency in itself than as an indica-
ton Of the spirit of the stronger Powers II only the
muttering of distant thunder it confirms their pre-
sages of the coming storm.
From the official list which has just been published
of the Fathers of the Council. and which believe
omitted 10 notice in my last letter appears that the
whole number amounts to 49, including 81 Cardinals,
PatTiarChe and 702 pTimates archblshopS, bishops.
and abbOts Several OF the French bishops have
since titoned for leave Of absence to the COmms-
sion OF Judges of Excuses on the ground OF 0fdha-
lions and other official duties to be performed IN
their own diOceses, but no Report on the SUBJECT s
vet been promulgated. Perhaps, ought 10 mention
I'm TINS place that the name of the KIT key. JOhn
williams Bishop Of Boston, was not inserted IN ITS
proper place in the official catalogue OF Wmch ! had
an advanced COPY, and was accordingly OihHlcd III
thc LIST of American prelates IN the Council winch
sent Won las; week. Bishop Williams IN iact has
been I'm Rome for several weeks and ~ higlIy re-
Spccted member Oh the OouhCl' as wei 40 VI VHo
social circles here -