The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-12-05
BISHOP WOODS OPINIONS.
A Clerical Voice Upon Victor Emmanuel and
Italian usurpations.
PHILADELPHIA. Dec. A, 1870.

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 4, 1870.
Yesterday morning, having strolled NJ the trim
length OF Chestnut street, wondering as I passed
along whether william Penn himself first set the
fashion of the white shutters and low clumsy-look
Ing stone stoops that everywhere offend the eye,
] turned into Eighteenth street, and just
reached the end OF first delicious afterbreakfast
cigar, arrived ut Logan square and me Catholic
Cathedral o. ST. Peter ana 81. Paul This is one OF
the most imposing ecclesiastical structures In the
country: and, though man Of taste might perhaps.
object to overheard ornamentatIon OF its facade,
the massive strength which is muely proclaimed
by the huge blocks OF deep brown stone OF which 1t
is built. and the simple dignity OF Its vast dome,
surmounted with golden cross, nashng with quiet
splcdor IN the rays OF a bright autdmnal sun,
amply vinticate 1t against the cavlls OF captious
Criticism.
Next to the cathedral stands the episcopal resi-
dence a plain, substantial, many -roomed mansion,
with doors and shutters, after the Philadelphia
fashion, OF spotiess white.
After waiting few minutes in a cheerful recep-
ton room, adorned with pictures OF Pho Mono and
several OLD Testament prophets, ! was ushered up
stairs into the presence Of
THE BISHOP.
lie is a tail, halc.lookng gentlemen of some
nifty sixty years OF age with cast
OF features so strikingly benevolent in
and affection oil all VINO come in contact with him.
Like every kind face however it s not wanting in
certain mild and pleasing dignity, and when scan.
ned narrowly Ii shows, In the faint burrows OF the
brow and the lines round the eyes, the traces OF
thought and study and care; perhaps, also, or past
trials and sorrows and temptations; but Its pre-
dominant traits are sweetness and gentleness and
large hcartcd good nature, and as one watches ts
genial play he can scarcely help realizing that the
lite OF the good Bishop IKE that OF Longie-
lows .Acaaian Farmers, - winch ran
Like rivers that water the woodlands.
Darkened with shadows of EARTH yet reuecng image OF
Having exchanged the social courtcsles, I said:--
You are TO have a large meeting on sunday alter
noon I'D the cathedral your reverence p
which will ne presented there has been written, by
the lsity; and although | heartily approve OF the
contents OF that paper shall not speak in support
OF IT.. The voice OF the clergy In Giis matter mas
already been heard.
although they have given scattering and individual
evidences OF their sympathy with the Holy Father
SPEAK as BODY naye therefore aIInost entirely
left the present demonstration IN their hands, anu
trust, indeed know, tnat they win give no doubt
dignati0n ct the Ouira0cs which nave been perpe-
trated by the Italian government in defiance Of
public law ana natural justice, aud without
shadow Of provocaton."
.Ysu blaiae. then, The Italian government chiefly
"Well, ought to qualify what ] have Just said.
Osrnaps the Italian government Is rather weak than
ilpabe, and has erreu more because Is deficient
In neral courage, and, possibly, also in power OF
Belf-defencc than because II wlifuliy and wantonly
desires TO outrage the Catholic sentiment or the
entire world and destroy the independence OF the
Pope. ] do not think it would have seized Rome If
it lad not been pushed on by the
MENACE OF REVOLUTION.
Victor Emmanuel Ia not very good Christian or q
very good man; but am sure he would nave al
lowed things to remain as they were rev months
back, If he and his government had not been tod,
IN secret and In public, that he must march on
Rene or lose his throne. and, perhaps also his life.
in popular revolution. POSSIBLY he quiess MS con-
science by saying that he has only done Wnat
An any case weule have been done 10