New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-04-02

and nearly one-half of its members. To estimate the
Importance OF this act you must remember that 1T IL
directed not solely and simply against IA articles OF
an objectionable decree but against that for the sup
port OF which 1t was drawn up and launched among
the Fathers at this critical time-of course mean
the dogma OF lnfalllbty. The French protest was
sent In on Friday last and the German on Saturday
as am informed yet up to this time the Priyy Coun
ell OF the Pope has made no sign. IL is impossible to
Obtain copy OF the protest, but the French said
mat II they were not attended to their conscienccs
would be greatly burdened and that in the opinion OF
the world the liberty and the truth of the Council
would he greatly weakened (i1ertds e rcrds conchi
Ld6dctarentn). In spite of the expectation, there
fore. every day this week that General Congregation
would assemble, nothing has taken place. and the re-
port is that it has again been suspended for ten days
Some 1t is asserted are anxious TO leave and resolved
on leaving. 1t would be the logical consequence Of
whether such step will be taken. BY doing, the
Fathers would incur the greater accommodation
and what would many Of them do when reduced to
comparative povertyf These are not the DAYS when
men accustomed to purple and fine linen will retire
| To the desert on locusts and wild honey.
1t is amid the disccrds and passions and agita-
tons which stir up of course to celestial anger the
members of this most united Council that the letters
of Count Daru addressed to one of their body have
been published in The London Times. Their exist
| ence has been known here from the date of their
arrival and you have already received slight intima-
tons of their contents; but an Orsini bomb would
not have created greater sensation. Every one IS
asking, "To whom were they addressedi How were
| they obtained Who is the imprndent person who
can have revealed themT No one is there TO answer
1
serve that there is nothing marvellous IN such reve
laions when it is known that the Fathers themselves
have time after time sent important communications
the press have disclosed them to those connected
with it, That which makes the situation yet more Sc
rious is if my information be correct as believe 1t TO
be. that the French Government has minated ITS m
sent it specially in the Council and that Plus Ia.
has declined TO receive him. If he so. it is easy TO
conceive how uttered will be the feathers of French
national vanity, and it may perhaps confirm and
account for the report received from good authority
that another French note has arrived stating posi-
| lively that their troops will be Withdrawn IN the
| event of Inisliblity being brought forward. You
will perceive chat every question: every controversy
converges 10 that point II is well known that Tor
| that object alone the Council was summoned. Once
carried, Plus TX. becomes independent of the entire
Roman Catholic Hierarchy, and of the Roman Cath
Ollie body, and from his easy chair III his library may
regulate anathematize the whole world at his Will
and pleasure. have described to you the character
of the opposition which is offered to these mad and
| ruInous projects. Men have spoken whose learning
! and attachment to the Church undOubted. Gov
| ernments have endeavored to dssuade, and have
| ended with menace and what is the answer OF Plus
| TX. to ali We have had it this week.
You will remember the celebrated pOstuldtum
| which was sent in about month since
entreatng that the great dogma should be defined 1t
was presented TO the Council of 26 which takes
nzance of all new matter, and on the 9TH inst the
members slgniled their adhesion 10 IL ana OlsulD
uted copies of the schema already drawn up, 10
the Fathers for their consideration before the next
meeting Those who have seen and read 1t describe
| il as being more stringent than anything which
Manning or Ward ever proposed; il Is as crude and
obligatory it possible to make it, say others
| Among many of the prelates | know that 1t has
occasioned great regret nay, CONSERVATISM little
cosey knot of Bishops who dwell together, whether
| in harmony / will not say. relate that one of their
party, after he had read IT, laid 1t down and burst
into tears, and well he might, for If carried as no
doubt il can be, it will deal the heaviest blow
to the Church which has been ever inflicted upon 1t:
Yet to this bitter end 1T will come for the policy OF
the eldest son of the Church. and indeed of all the
Roman Catholic Powers generally, is such that II
will only strengthen the resolution of the blind and
mad enthusiasts who control affairs IN Rome.