New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-02-14

siiions WOulu lend 10 diminish their liberty, already
sufficiently encroached upon by the Council of Trent
In fact it was proposed TO deprive them of the right
of choosing their Wears General-one of their most
sacred and most cherished rights-and centraze
everything in Rome. As an instance Of the conse
quences of such restriction, let observe that on
the demise of Bishop it is the custom. at present
for the Metropolitan Chapter to elect Vicar General
where one does not exist, who of course assumes
| episcopal power until the vacancy is filed
up. Should the chapter omit to do
this during eight days, the choice
devOlves on the Titular of the Province either the
Primate or the Patriarch and if he should not name
him. the choice apses to Rome. The project now is
i'll all cases to give this cherished right to the Roman
Curia, thus introducing system of espionage into
every Diocese and centralzing all power in the Vat
lean The battle RACES fercely and strongly on this
ground hard words are used. and know of one in
stance in which shepherdTof Christs fold put his
hands behind his back rather than shake that of his
brother pastor.
On the 18th inst. another General Congregation
was held. at which six Fathers spoke, and, among
them Losauna Bishop of Biela, in opposition to the
"Schemata Schemes Tor Propositions The subject
matter of discussion was Ecclesiastical Discipline
but remarkable incident occurred Tho same
may be said of the Congregation which met on the
18th inst. The Fathers met again on tho 18TH
inst, when the Archbishops of Paris and
Cologne addressed the meeting, recommending mod
Grafton 10 their brethren. But they might as well
have preached moderation TO the winds let loose
from the caves of Eolius A violent strug-
gle is going on not so much for the
good of the Church as for the triumph of
principle TO which the majority have pledged them
selves and amid this roaring of the tempest
Monsigneur Dupanloup has announced to the Car
dna President his intention to speak to-day In all
probability he will commence the attack, and as
probable it is that Dr. Manning, Archbishop of West
minister. will reply on the defensive. Theencounter
would have taken place last Friday, the 18th inst,
but for Dupanloups temporary indsposition, and as
he has announced himself for tomorrow, take for
granted that the original plan is to be carried into
effect
The great object of the Council, or for which 1T
was summoned is no doubt to raise the personal in
faibility of the Pope TO the dignity of dogma.
With infinite modesty, or something else, 1t is not
and will not be included among the schemdd deere
torum-t is to be treated as question per se-to be
proposed by one of the Fathers in Council and the
hope was that it would be carried by accamation.
On the remonstrancc however, of the Archbishop OF
Paris, and others, an given that there
should be no surprise. Other tactics therefore
adopted and about fortnight since printed paper,
which have seen, was circulated for signatures
among the Fathers. urging the Council to declare
the authority of the Holy Father supreme and nfal-
be IN rebHs fdi &C mOrum. You have doubt
less received copy of this document
and have only to call your attention to the word
"morum." An old prOverb says, Give them an inch
and they will take ell At first Infallibllity was
claimed only in spiritual affairs but here we have
"morum introduced How indefinite the term!
how alcomprehensive it may be made! This move
ment was no sooner known to the opposition than
Cardinals Rauscher, Schwartzenberg, and Hohenohe
addressed petition to the Pope against what was
regarded as an infringement of the liberty of the
Bishops. If the question of Infalhbllity was to be
discussed let it be brought forward in the Council
His Holiness received the supplica codly, and no
reply has been reported. Dupanoup. on the con-
trary and others with him moving
heaven and earth to meet and conquer
this movement. But will they succeedf III
votes are to be weighed rather than numbered. they
will On this point there Is much doubt, so mnch
indeed that hesitate 10 express decided opinion
Each side is equally sure of victory On that OF the
opposition the French Legation is making every
effort with the sanction and at the iRstigatlon OF ITS
Government, to defeat the lltramontanIstS. Of
that Won NAV rest assured. Then the Germans. who
were at first divided by national jeaousies. have
now united in the common canse-fonr English
hishops have abandoned the Ultramontane flag,
and. said q theologan to me yesterday the Ameri-
cans beginning 10 leave ns az Dr. Purcell, Bishop
j.
others but all the Spaniards with u.s. he added,
to man SO are the Irish, the Orientas, and most
Of the Italians ,
Thus these Christian Fathers are counting their
forces as if preparing for the battehard words are
dealt right and left -intrignes of every kind are
practced ana the inspiration of the Holy Ghost is
anticpated by efforts such az those which precedc
pOpular election i'll America or III England. Already
the supporters of the Holy See assert that Their sup
plica to the Council has obtained 800 signatures,
while the opposition admit that il has nearly 300.
Int not more. IL is ominous of the future conse-
onences of success that the Italians generally pray
that the great dOgmas may be promulgated =" Mod
Grafton will be our DEATH they say, whereas II
our spiritual bondage is rendered more oppressive,
the chances of temporal liberty viii be greater
themselves call it, of all Italians with whom con
verse At this moment have Just returned IRON
st. Peters, where Monslgneur 1t Orleans sad
Ereuch Priest TO me was speaking. Whoever it was,
ne spoke for an hour i'll most excited tones but on
this subject must send fuller revelations IN my next
letter.