New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-09-26
LORD RIPON's CONVERSION TO CATHOLICISM
AN ABANDONMENT OF POLITICAL INFLUENCE IN En-


LORD RIPON's CONVERSION TO CATHOLICISM
GLAND.
fFRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUSEl
LONDON Sept. 5-Lord Rlpon's conversion TO
Roman Catholicism, announced yesterday, is
An event of much social and some polltl-
cal Importance. The fact became known by
his resignation of the Grand Mastership
of the Free Masons of England or rather the con-
fesson of it followed hard upon the letter OF re-
slgnation, which itself gave no reason for resigna-
ton. 1t is long since the priests have done stroke
of business equal to this. 1t is true that Lord Rpon
had come to be thought failure in politics, and
that he was one of the victims whom it was found
convenient TO sacrifice when Mr. Gladstone rear
ranged his Cabinet in August of last year. His
services as Joint High Commissioner at Washington
had earned him, in the estimation of his Chief, a
Marouisate. but in the estimation of the country,
much obloquy-so much obloquy that his presence
ia the Ministry became a source of weakness and
not of strength. But for all that, his past career
was not forgotten his talents were considerable
his character high and it was not unlikely that he
might have taken Office againin another Liberal MIN
istry. He had at any rate the prominent qualfca-
ton of possessing sixty thousand year and title
His chances whatever they were have been delibcr-
fortune but bis political influence is at an end The
Times which discusses the matter in leader this
morning, says, with emphasis and truth: states
man who becomes convert to Roman Catholicism
forfets at once the confidence of the English people
Such step involves complete abandonment of any
claim TO political OF even social influence In the
nation at large and only be regarded as betray-
ing an irreparable weakness of character 10 be-
come a Roman Catholic and to remain thorough
Englishman are-it cannot be Observation-Disclosures IN
compatible conditions" You may Judge of the
force of the Protestant hold the English mind by
the force of this condemnation To be born Catholic
in England. continues The Times, in substance Is a
misfortune which may be harmless, but when man
in the prime of life. a statesman with twenty
years experience of the world, abandOns the
faith of England for that Of Rome, and
submits himself 10 the yoke OF the
Roman Catholic priesthood, such a change indi-
Gates fatal Generalization and can only be due TO
some obliquity of temperament. Lord Rpon Is con-
signed 70 the limbo peopled by men who have not
character enough TO stand alone or to think Tor
themselves, but who are born to be governed, NOR,
ally and mentally. He is " a melancholy spectacle,
but such weakness is not an English characteristic.
and his followers viii be few. Fountains Abbey
masses once more into Roman Catholic hands, but it
is not the detection of stray Peer which will un-
dernine the steady devotion of the English mind 20
free and iudependent career of religious and poht-
zeal deyelopmentD SO concludes a leading article,
which is itself striking proof of it, own soundness
Of view. Beyond doubt, Englishmen so think and
feel and Professionalism is rooted so deep that
nothing short of a CONFUSION which skaters the
existing social fabric viii ever make England any
thing but the sturdy foe of Rome. CIV. s.