New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-04-15
TIE CASE or GREENE.

TIE CASE or GREENE.
A violent display of sectarian hatred has bsen
caused by the attempted assassination last
week of certain L. Greene, teacher in one
of the public schools in Centralia, Pennsylva-
MIA. 1t appears that he had become peculiarly
obnoxious on religious grounds to the Roman
Catholic citizens, who tried unsuccesstully to
have him removed from his position. lmme-
diately after this failure he was attacked, while
alone with one pupil in his school-hOuse, by
three men, merciIessy beaten, one ear cut Off,
and left in so mangled condition that
it is improbable he will recover. The assassl-
nation is Of course charged by the PrOtestants
upon the Romish Church, and the feud wakes
bitter as it only can in an inland religious
village. The Protestants are, we are told, fly
ing from the town for their lives; the "days
" of the InquisitOn are to be revived among
Gus. The cruelty ard bigotry of the Papal
Church have been crushed at home only to
awaken more savagely in free America
Now, it seems to us, there is great deal OF
wasted zeal in this matter. In the first place,
it is by no means certain that the assasslna-
ton of Greene had anything to do with his
religious Quarrel. Even if it be proved that the
ruilians who thus beat the man were animated
by what they deemed religious zeal, it does
not follow that the priests in Centralla either
instgated or were cOgnizant OF the attempted
murder. No Protestant Church would hold
itself responsible for the acts OF every igUUrant
rufian who seized upon its creed as cloak
for his brutality. The Roman Catholic Church
has majority, unfortunately, of such men in
her fold, at least nominally, who grow more
vehement in their devotion to her communion
the less they know about it, 1t is her misfOr-
tune and her fault, no doubt, that after gene
rations Of pupilage such men remain among
her representatives, but it is unjust to say that
they do represent her real teachings.
Besides such an outrage is far moro to be
dreaded by the Catholic Church than the
Protestant Whatever other virtue we may
see fit to deny her priesthood, they are usually
men of the world, quick, subtle, sensible, who
never fail to see what is expedient, and to
sacrifice all personal feeling for the advance
ment of their faith. What would the salts
faction of killing one poor teacher weigh
AGAINST the damning force with which each
stab and blow would react against the bosom
of Holy Mother church, A little cool reflec-
ton and common sense would probably tend
to lessen the wild alarm with which Prot
estants are apt to look forward to future
encroachments Of the Catholic Church. The
Scarlet Woman" as some of them call
her, is enveloped in all tho horrors
the cruelties, the martyrdoms of the dark
ages. They forget that human nature when it
had temporal power proved just as tyrannica
Just as murderous. in q Church England
surpiice or a Covenanter's shovel-hat as when
it wore tiara or mitre. If the Papal Church
drank deeper drafts of blood than the others,
it may have been because it had more time in
which to drink. Besides, whatever may be our
opinion Of tie natural disposition of this an
cient lion, it is certain that now his nails are
effectually clipped and his teeth drawn.
Were he ever so willing, the days of kneelng
kings and communicated princes have gone
by. Civilization will never in all probability
again permit the rise OF any great religious,
hierarchy.
However the Catholic Church may retain
vitality as a form and vehicle OF religious
faith, il is contrary to all common sense 10
suppose that it can ever attain temporal power
in this country. No party or sect who through
its head places itself in ayowed opposition to
the progressive spirit of the nineteenth century,
can make Roadway in nation through which
progress wears It's HiOoJ uEudul anu uSi,ltcolNc
shape. A moments consideration, too. OF the
feebleness OF their opponents should teach
Protestant sects forhearance and good-hu-
mOred charity. The policy of the priesthood
has been, we are told in alarm. to accumulate
a vast amount OF real estate, with the Interior
purpose OF bringing the Pope to this country.
Property neither confers political power, it
should be remembered, nor promuigates %
unpopular creed; and wo doubt il Pho Mono
or any future successor Of st. Peter will risk
removing the glamour of ancient Italy from
about him, and appear as an American citizen
voting for Mayor and town officers in an Office
suit of cheyiot. We confess we are impatient
with this perpetual Outcry of terror about the
encroachments of any church. The Methodists
| alone in Virginia and Georgia, when the last
census was taken, numbered nearly double tho
whole Of the Catholics in the United States.
Under these circumstances surely the Protest
ants have 10 cause fer alarm.
Seldom in The history OF Railways has such uni
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