New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-10-15
Total population of the U. 8, 1870.

MorInons. ................... III 1888
These figures do tell the exact TRUTH nor do they
pretend TO tell IT, The exact truth cannot be dis
covered but they claim TO be the nearest practicable
approach II the sects jealous OF
cheney as their appearance of efficiency there would
be less uneasinese In regard 70 numbers Spiritual
power does go with numbers; nor do numbers
press it, The buiesL sect may be the weakest II
had o Of strength there would have
Rome was ChristendOm in the West.
The only people who have right to complain of the
above estimate arc the people who are not mentioned
IN IL: the ratonalists who for the most part
eanized. but who possess great force OF intellectual
power and WELD extensive influence through htera
ture aud social intercourse and the Cutters" as
they used be called, who their imports, have
abandoned the churches aogethe and formed assooa-
less compact the basis of mutual service
aud brOtbery love- These cannot be counted bat any
estimate OF religion ia America that Omlts these is de-
feetiYe. Mormonism makes loud noise but Is a phe-
nomenOn OF moment. RatiOnalsm makes noise
whatever, but exerts subtle, deep, aud mighty ufiu
enCe.
may any, among three dylsions-the Catholics OF the
Church Of Rome, the Protestant secs. including the
EplscOpaans extreme and the Unitanans at the
other, and the RatiOnasts OF az schools Ihe inquiry
limits itself 10 the question: Which of these, II
either likely 20 command the future OF religion 10 the
United States Let US weigh few general probabilities
The Church OF Rome In America rs very strong and Is
destined probably 10 be stronger STILL Its numbers IN
crease. It's churches handsome its congregations
large, Its priests are active ITS pastors de-
voted. IL has h0urlshng semiDares and colleges for
men and women. religious houses IN sounaahce, wen
placed well endowed, well administered IL watches its
opportunities and improves them with admirable adrot
neSs and courage. II has wealth and authority the sup
port OF massive though crude public opinion, the ad
THE POWER ROMANIsM.
Itis perfectly organized and differed. Romsnism is
unit of force compact and vital. Rome is empire.
The Church Is q dominion. country fatherland.
Catholicism is IN fact, in a very literal and TO
very considerable extent the believers country,
more 70 the land Of his birth 1t is conceivable
that Romanism should quite destroy the love Of country
for It Is distinct power having worldly means ct its
command ana continually demanding concessions and
privileges the STATE THIS IS less the case here than
ia Europe but is stu to certain extent the case here
The Catholic taught 10 look TO Rome as the source Of
an his light and life More than once already We have
been made uneasy by the dread OF pOhca interference
from the Roman hierarchy; indeed, perpetually
uneasy on and the contingency may come at
at moment that will display the formidable power
OF the giou which has more than once endangered
the peace OF Europe. ANNA Ii.
in America received and does annually receive large
endowmens from the State 1t has been as the
established church OF America title which, II unde
served now, predicted will be deserved at no dis
tant day. Aud Why may not sueh predictlon come
true Why may not Romanism supplant Professionalism
or copuucr il piecemea reduce the smaller sects in
Significance aud become the prevailing faith OF Amer
Some will say because the Roman Catholic religion Is
incompatible with republican institutions. But 10 this
there must be confusion OF thought. IL car
scarcely DO said that the Catholic religion as religion,
OF faith. is Incompatible with republican lnsutu.
tons Why should be, any more than the Protestant
religion any more than the Jewish religion, than the
religion of theism Religion as such mas nothhg 70 40
poiyt6e,st NAV be as good republican as monothest,
idolstOr a spirituast panthest as thelst ne
the universal soul Conceive OF that Teiauon as you
win. civil affairs remain UNAFFECTED. CaADot
republican worship the Virgin, suppcate the saints,
consult guardian angels, honor the sacrifice OF the
mass confess his sins TO priest swallow the conse-
in Roman Church the Body OF Christ and faith IN
mems ability TO manage their own civil ahairsf Tho
Catholic religion inouleates devoutDess, humility graft
tude modesy, meekDess, charity, aspiration, santi
ness Arc such graees incompatible with republican
isn't Must the republican be selfwiled rude violent
upsorupulOusf A repubhacOmposed OF dev0ut Catho-
Ics. sueh the Catholic religion has produced
again and again in history, would be such republic as
We wait long 10 see; model republic In which all
rule because all serve.
not exist An intellectual community. We're the Cath
olio communities Of Italy In the psny days ofst6e
FLORENCE Pisa, Psdua COogna uninteecua The great
est universities Of the the modern world have eeen
Catholjo Some OF the greatest minds OF the modern
world have been Catholics and tben assuming Rood
deal 70 take for granted the intellectually OF the people
versatile, sympathetic; but they are fan
cifu aud mercurial, Impatient OF ton or guinness easy
thoughL dlrinelned 20 profound speculative studies
content with superficial IMPRESSIONS &c.
faap thoughtfu Hence liability 70 be suddenly las
onAted. szed carried away by any Strong h1sI,5t
novelty knowledge 10 the only enncent salesIa NJ
against such surprises, and knoWeage pSsrsfars Il
Religion possessing such singular attraeuoIs - tn
Catholic religion certainly has-n many tespoc.s ~ ~
pressiveln many winning. In many SO beauIi.n ~
many so genital reasonaDle-a religion 20 auroty
administered so skItaly exponnded3 ie sntiguy
and carry captive the pkasure-seekng minds sna
Tended hearts of multtudes Stranger things nave nap
pened An able EAgsh writer remarks; AS the spec
ulaten OF the drifts further aud further away from
the Toe narrow contents OF the ancient formulafes
thoss who elipg those forsnusres ching 10 them al
tightly. and interpret them AL the more gu.
persfiiioasly Twenty yeats ago you could not have
found 600 men In English orders TO petition for Auricu-
Lar confession. Today We baVe an eminent oigi1aS
thanking the Almighty that priests " thousands arc
teaching and praeticng It. The Oidashioned modera-
ton VI doctrine changed into entnAslss an ehDess
aud VI science also tho age oI aeepenhg sa
persttioa aud SaoerdOtalisfn.P if .Nl
For illustration OF point the pr0dl1ous growth
of bpiTituaBm may 10 cited. VINO twenty yeafb ago
ould have supposed that hundreds OF thousands Oh