The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-21
DIR. DOliinGer's Position Mt Present.

From the Manchester Guardian May 81
No greater mistake could possibly be made than
to suppose that the German movement to which
the name Of anti-infallibsm may be applied, be
reckoned upon as nineteenth century counterpart
OF Luther's Reformation. We are constantly ex-
posed to plumbers OF this kind No sooner does
Dollinger, Passagia or a Hyacnthe appear on the
scene than we to the conclusion that Ideal
OF Christianity is about 10 be realized in South Ger
many, In Italy ana in France. What PGre HyA:
cinthe's standpoint now may be we do not know;
but who can forget the astonlshment OF the New
York reporters when they discovered that the
reverend father could see blots in the Papacy and
yet hesitate to take his place In Mr. Henry Ward
Beecaer's pulpit? The notion that religion is
something that can be squeezed within the two
boards of book as In the Tnirty-nlne Articles or
the Westminster Co lfesslon-is as INDUSTRIOUS a
dcusion as the pretenson that the human SOUL II
is to rest In the end must travel via Rome In re.
ligion as politics, do not hesitate 10 assume
that what answers most closely to our 0eas be
good for all mankind. Many worthy people have
been looking with eager hope TO the Dattle which
DR.. D0inger has been waging with the uitram0n-
tame faction which happens for the moment to be
beginning OF the Armageddon-the opening OF
struggle in which the triple crown must certainly
conceive the dsmay with which people this class
Will receive the Intelligence that the venerable ana
to policy OF :moderatioi,.H WHAT can this meanYa
An answer is furnished by "A Bavarian Catholics"
who contributes most Interesting paper to the new
number OF the contemporary heUteT. With this
writer for our guide let us endeavor II possible to
see what Donnger's position Is.
D6ilinger began his career as a strenuous
porter OF Ultramontanism. 1t may indeed, be said,
observes "A Bavarlan Catholic" that 'thc mental
slavery, the narrowness OF the greater part OF the
Cathoic CLERGY in Bavaria, their servie and SUPER
sttlous SUBMISSION to the Pope, their entire b )nd
age In Roman chalns-in fact ali which constitutes
the opposition to the present movement Is chiefly
due to the teaching and the writings OF D0llingern
HIS early years were spent IN IT,. bitter warfare
for the faith 1t was held by the Jesuts had cooled
down he could not muster courage enough to aban-
liberal, but he was .'m;d ana vacllating." az
ne advanced q step ne was sure Immediately
and prepcssession fighting a very doubtful
battle: In 1868 he began to speak OF the rights
he invited the learned Catholics Of GERMANY to meet
at Muncn 10 discuss and determine the question
which was agiiatlng his own mind. AL this assem-
bly, he delivered bold address: out the result OF the
whOie was that at the close OF the conference he
telcgraphed as follows to the Pope-"rhe mpor-
tanl question concerning the relations OF authority
and science Is determined In the sell. Of the subjec-
ton OF science to authority" Nothing, or course.
could have been more pleasing 10 the Vatican: hui
after time The advisers OF his Holiness appear TO
have awakened to a sense OF the Inconvenience OF
permitting deliberations Of the Kind The POpe sent
his paternal blessing to Dr. DJiingcr, but followed
IL up with missve 10 the Archbishop OF Munlcn
practically cOndemnlng the audaciiy OF ''private
having first received authority from headquarters.
Moreover, very distinct definition was given OF all
clcsiastical authority. at mean: that science
not to be nii.ed merely by defined dogmas, but
that the sublcetlon extended also TO tie Papai
stiutions the DEGREES OF tue index and great
many things OF tnat kind.', This was probably
more than Dr.. Dollnger had looked for. Fortne
moment his disappointment mnst have been eX-
IRENE. But IL Is a notable fac. IN the his-
tory of this remarkable mans life that he
rose apparently more resolulc than ever from
this fail In his struggle with the Roman
Cuna Years passed on, and then came tho
Vatican Council, with its great scheme OF infalli-
bnty. Dollingers voice was heard on the LIBERAL
side, ana his influence greatly strengthened the
show OF opposition offered by tho non.
Among this parry was his own Lishop-thc Same
who mas now accommodated hun. Non-oppor-
tunlsm soon melted away. one by one the prelaies
who had raised theic voices against the ''ln-
some OF them like the Archbishop .; Munich
those who nave stood steadias; 10 the principles
which they themselves once protested to uphold.
Amid the storm winch lei owed upon The dchnitiCn
OF tic new article OF latn great was tie Anxiety as
to the attitude OF Doipgef. Liberal Catholics re-
membercd some CT the Incidents Of hls past life.
Would he stand hiIn or was there capiluiation IN
prospect rue professors o. theology at Mu;ch
were called upon ~ TIE Archbishop 10 cay dis
tnctly ON what SIDE they ranged thcmsc.yes-for or
against the DEGREES OF the Council OF last year. All,
with two exceptions, bowed TO the decisions OF the
Council. The two RESTAURANTS were Doilingcr and
Friedrich. The latter was less slow Than the former
In making up his mind to challenge the ecumcn.ccy
OF the Council which, of course, involved all clse.
Dolliuxer asked for a respite. 1t was granted. His
friends were ANXIOUS but ct the c!iucal moment he
T. now uner sentence OF excomn,aplcation ~
The narrative OF "A Bava,ian Cathcncn assists us
TO understand Dr. D0ingcr's oouEscls OF .'lnodera-
tiou.n We have described To US a man VINO pos
sesses few Of the qualities OF the leader OF re-
formation. He Is perhaps the most learned theo-
Logan OF his Church: but al he best--he Is now an
Old mamie must have been wanting IN the force
OF character and the contagious enthusiasm which
go far towards the compete canipincni OF a cef
IN war OF principles. Ua,itlon Is Cnc OF his most
marked characteristics. HIS reason and ~, hhiurc
knowledge have forced hun 10 repudiatc the dogma
OF infalhbIty; but, as "A Bavarian Cathocp POINTS
out, he wishes only fight the Vatican Council aud
the new definition, "icavlng oil other things In the
Catholic Cnurcn untouched" He desires to .'avoid
the fight for principles, 10 conlnc hts opposition
to one point, TO Isolate. or, so 10 speak, 10 locazo
the war, and entirely To MAINTAIN the Catholic
Church standpoint" IL Is here that nc parts COM
pany with nany liberals who have been encouraged
by his rcsOluLe refusal To make his submission. They
a NeYnnl Ynat n