New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-02-24


LONDON. Feb 12.-Dr Temple was never specially
q hero of mine. but if he had been. should be
mourning to-day over his fall 1t is impossible for
the most Indifferent spectator not TO feel certain re-
gret at the humiliation of who. considering his
position, had shown q good deal of independence
and courage. His difficulties. however. and his spirit
in meeting them had been enormously overrated
During all the hot controversy about his confirmation
as Bishop of Exeter the discussion proceeded upon
stills If you read the orthodox side DR.. Temple
was a kind of anti-Christ; or COenso, who In the
minds of most bgots has lately occupied that post
II you read the liberal side, DR.. Temple was second
Luther In truth he very far from being either
He had written by far the most moderate and essen
TALLY the most important article in Essays and Re
riars He had taken his share of obloQuy which fell
upon the authors of that book. When Dir. Gladstone
nominated HIM Bishop of Exeter, the old cutlery was
renewed, and DIR. Temple was called on to recant his
published opinions and dsavow all sympathy with
his fellow contributors; failing which he was men-
aced with the utmost hostility of the church over
which he has been made bishop. His great merit
consists in refusing yield to the passionate camor
that assaulted him. As he had his side the whole
power of the law and the answering support of
Government whose authority in the matter was abso-
Lutte it is obvious that his steadastness was not pre-
cisely of kind which exposed him to the dangers OF
martyrdom or gave him right to wear its crown.
Nevertheless. the contest had undOubted signif-
cance 1t marked the hight to which the old con-
troversy between authority and inquiry has risen
inside the Church of England. DR.. Temple was for
the moment the standard-bearer on the liberal SIDE
As such, he had good deal of sympathy and some
admiration even from those who don't believe IN
state churches or iron creeds.
1t is Just that sympathy and admiration which DR..
IT II. ~ 4, h,,tt ho Shn of Eva
ter-has flung away. At the moment when fresh
attacks were beginning against him in Convocaton,
he astonished friends and enemies alike by announc-
ing his surrender. He wthdraws from circulation
the offending essay. lie authorizes his archdeacon
10 state in tho Lower House that future editions of
Essays and RerierS will not contain the essay by Dr.
Temple. Thereupon Archdcacon DenisOn-an ecce-
siastica mailman, who five minutes before was ready
TO burn Dr. Temple and his essay together-professes
himself satisfied as well he may. The Archdeacon of
Exeter is thankful DR.. Pusey is thankful. All that
band of furious zeaots mngle praise and thanksgiy-
ing in public, and in private congratulate each other
on their victory. They will begin with all the more
spirit their attack the next churchman, whoever
he may be- who has the audacity to think for him.
SELF to doubt the efficacy of universal damnation or
to prefer the testimony of modern science to the gro
tesque theory of Biblical mythology
does not expressly recant the opinions of his essay
Apparently he still holds to them, and he refrains
from pronouncng a condemnation his fellow
contributors who are reckoned TO have snned worse
than he. But that is a difficulty rather than help
to Dr. Temples friends. One could understand his
suppressng the essay if he had ceased to believe its
doctrines. Now he suppresses it not because the
essay is any the true but because its author has
been made Bishop What could be allowed to
Frederick Temple cannot be allowed to the Bishop of
Exeter Wilkes insisted that the worst use TO which
you could put man was to hang him. DR.. Temple
has Taught us-indeed. we knew it before-that you
can just as eFectualy destroy his usefulness by max
ing HIM a Bishop.
After all. the importance OF the controversy about
Dr. Temple is more artificial than real. The move
ment which is to reform the Church Of England is
not to from inside that Church, at any rate
cannot be carried on inside of it, Few men will DO
found willing like Colenso TO maintain their eccle-
siastical position. while they accept conclusions
fatal TO theology which the Church refuses to modi
fy. Even men like Dean Stanley mediate reforms
which are utterly inconsistent with fundamental
dogmas of the Church as il exists. should be glad
II the Church proved too strong for Them and drove
diem out. II is only when they prove weak enough
90 stay in that finds cause for regret. Dr. Tenn
pie has yielded. consciously unconsciously TO the
immense pressure put upon him. l don't for mo-
ment doubt that he has acted conscientiousy; it is
his conscience. IL you please which has proved weak.
The Church of England has something Of the
cunning Of the Church Of Rome. many Of whose
traditions il inherts. When force fails, blandish-
ments succeed. DIR. Temple would have held out
bravely against persecution What he could not re-
sist was tbs soft persuasyeness OF the preates
among whom he found himself The atmosphere
stuffed him.
the Donovan Rosa decision will make mischief |
In Ireland. and is 10 be regretted other grounds
but don't how the Government. from their point
OF view could have done otherwise You cannot get
anybody here 10 look on Fenianism with anything
bat detestation and there is use in pointing out
10 an Engshman that ODonovan Rosa and has
comrades political prisoners Ibelieve Mr. Glad
stone has made n mistake II he had recognized. as
BIO nigh have tho validity of the election, and re-
leased Rossa and allowed him TO take his seat like
anybody else. he would have put both the Fenians
and their member in awkward position. The
Tories would have scoded about IT, but the Ministry
could have survived that while the effect Ireland
would am confident. have been good The Govern
ment IL too strong 10 need 10 be afraid Of showing
fear As for the debate in the House, 10 is beneath
criticism. Nowhere but In England would a de-
cisOn purely political require to he based as the
crown lawyers based this. on technical grounds and
on mere precedents There ought 10 be- a new Eman-
cipation movement 10 relieve the English mind from
t. sa wish dependence on antiquity.
II there IA any chyalry. or even common sense
Of Justice and dcceDcy among the electors OF South
wark. Mr Odgers election ought TO be sure. His
chances AZ any rate, better since the High }alf
Of that borough has attempted 10 throw obstacles in
his way by an extOrtionate demand for election ex
penses In advance. English law throws upon the
candidates the cost OF providing hustings, polling
booths, clerks, aud similar oOuvenances. Tho High
Bailh. who Is charged with the details OF the cleo
ton tO provide these things, and the custom ~
undoubtedly, that he makes nm estimate, always
liberal. and requires payment of candidates IN adj
vance. This Is done In Mr.. Odgers case, and Mr..
Odgor dad not object To pay. but 10 pay 80 large
L.l Lrnn nnnh ni In m.