New-York tribune., 1874-11-23
CASES OF CONSCIENCE.

| Every few years the world is shown, in ways
more or less striking and picturesque, that for
the statesman as much as for the priest re-
| ligiOn is the most important matter, as well
in its practical as in its spiritual bearings.
which can possibly engage the attention of
men. 1t is naturally in its practical relations
to life and government. rather than in its
| spiritual influence upon individuals, that it is
| most conspicuOusly and noisily important
What Mr. Gladstone believes in his own Ii
brary of the nature and destiny of the human
soul is matter of infinite consequence to him
now and hereafter, but what he thinks of the
effects of the Vatican DEGREES upon English
legislation, though these effects may be ever
80 remote or contingent, is enough to set the civ
ilized world to discussing and quarreling about
it. The result of his pamphlet, as seen in our
recent mails is what we have already indicated
as probable. There is great anger and cOnfu-
sion among the representatives of the COnserv-
ative party, which it is feared may receive
some detriment from the controversy so sud-
denly opened. Among the Liberals there is a
partial acceptance in theory of the PROPOSE
tons presented by their late leader, coupled
with somewhat positive assertion that no
legislation is required against the evils set
forth by him. But on all hands there is either
an expression of surprise at the uselessness of
the discussion or an attempt to impute base
motives to Mr.. Gladstone for beginning it.
We doubt if anyone out of England will
imagine that Mr.. Gladstone was consciously
influenced by any other motive than that of
sincere desire to throw light on what seemed
to him a subject of paramount Importance.
This is a difficult thing for political people to
admit in regard to an opponent, but it ought
not to be so hard as usual in the case of Mr..
Gladstone. He has often before imperiled his
position Of leadership by stubborn con-
scientiousness, and it is not likely that in his
declining years, when he has learned all that
glory and power are worth, he should now
begin to think more of his place and less of
his conscience.
He has certainly accomplished one of the
results which we indicated in speaking of his
probable purpose. He has already developed
certain difference of opinion among the most
prominent Catholics of England in regard to
the binding nature of the Vatican decrees
Lord Acton has written letter, the sentiment
of which is that the decrees so far as they in
fringe upon the civil allegiance of Catholics, are
as null Us if they did not exist. The Arch
bishop takes almost opposite ground, in a cir
cular letter addressed to the press of London
which we publish to-day, in which he argues
that the Vatican DEGREES have in no particular
changed the obligations of civil allegiance
and further, that "the civil allegiance of no
"man is unlimited and therefore the civil
"allegance of all men who believe in God or
care governed by conscience is in that sense
"divided." Of course this affords standing
ground for every variety of faith according to
the Interpretation which may be put upon it,
One man, in case of conflict between
Queen and Pope, may side with his SOW
ereign, and another with the Pontiff.
and each justify his action by this
language of Archbishop Manning. The Arch
bishop goes on to say that his civil allegiance
is as pure and loyal as Mr.. Gladstone's, which
certainly ought to be gratifying to the latter
But he speaks with great severity of DIR. Won
DJinger as in great measure responsible for
tho public and private calamilies visibIy
Impending over Germany" from which it
might be inferred that in similar case where
churchman's conscience coincided with the
government against the Pope, Archbishop
Manning would think such a conscience griev-
ously idisordered, and unworthy of trust.
In Germany, also, there is likely TO be
good deal Of casuistry employed about t1ese