The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-08-02
An American Pope.

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An ingenious correspondent addresses us q
letter, which we print elsewhere, in which he
offars us 50 radical and equitable solution of
the Roman question" The considerations
advanced by our correspondent are novel, and
certainly deserve attention. He sees in the
strifes that now vex the Continent OF Europe,
the struggles Of one nation for supremacy
over another, the contest between France and
Germany, which dwaris all other quarres, and
the jealousy which animates the policy OF Rus
sia and Austria, the existence OF reasons
which make it impossible that there should
be that absolute freedom in the choice of q
Pope that is necessary to the dignity and
honor of the Holy See. He sees how these
struggling forces representing the ambition
md The pride of the great nations, may make
it impossible to choose Pope who will really
DO free in the exercise of his high duties and
encourage the belief of the Catholic world in
his intallibilty. For if the dogma of infalli-
bilty, upon which SO much of the discipline
and the influence of the Roman Church now
rest, should be successfully assailed it will be
serious blow to the Papacy. Certainly, il q
Pope should be elected under duress or by
Misrepresentation or by force-if, for in
stance, Bismarck, by some combination with
the other Powers, succeed in electing Pope
of his own choosing-no possible argument
could make the Catholic world believe in his
infallibility There would come popes and
anti-popes, scandals, strfes and grave divis-
| ions.
Our correspondent, foreshadowing these
difficulties, takes courage from the remarka-
able declaration of the Pope that in America
his power alone is free. From this he argues
that the new Pope should come from the
United States, and that His Holiness should
encourage the probability Of the choice by the
nomination of an American prelate to the
Office and dignity of Cardinal The Liverpool
Post alluding to the chance Of such NOM
nation, does not think it at all impos-
sible, as the Pope is zone of the Endliest
men, and that where he can do favor he is
always ready to oblige even hereto" At the
same time the Pos. sees an obstacle to this
appointment in "the political and social
creed of the Americans which 'rather
frowns upon titles and dignities." This OBJ
lection, however, would be overcome by the
passion of the Americans ''for the ornamental
side of society,"" and that therefore the Pope
would be doing the Americans "a real kind
ness if he were to ''give them Cardinal"
Furthermore. it says that "there are good
many hats now vacant, and as the ornament
has lost much of its old value in Europe His
Holiness could not do better than send at
least one to the United States"
There is an irreverence of tone in these
suggestions characteristic of the English mind
in dealing with questions affecting other
interests than their own, o spirit that per-
vades some of our English contemporaries in
New York, who would introduce into America
the spirit of httleness and depreciation which
Injuries the otherwise generous and manly
journalism of Great Britain. 1t is of minor
consequence to us who may be Pope. 1t is an
Office that derives very little of its Importance
from the mere man who fills it. Coming down
to us from centuries, hedged in by traditions
and customs, regarded by millions of souls %
the earthly representative Of Christ, inherently,
perhaps, the most powerful function held by
any living man, it would be difficult for any
incumbent to depart materially from the laws
and customs of past ages. But in the great
change which begins to manifest itself in
modern society, in that "great crisis" which,
according to mind as subtle as that of
MIR. Disrael, is about to appear in
the world, it is Of the utmost
,bo h.
instance, the growth of republican sentiment
in the older countries. There is not o nation
in Europe in which democracy is not a strong
and growing Influence. The principal an
tagonism the Catholic Church has received is
from the monarchical Powers like Germany.
The only country in which the Pope is free is
America. The essence of democracy, as His
Holiness must see, is absolute independence
of Church and State. Why, then, may not
some Pope, in the exercise of that infallibe
wisdom which in the eyes of the faith
full is now one of the accepted attributes
of the Office, see that the dignity and great
ness of Catholicism can only be found in
a republic? Let such declaration once be
made; let all the tremendous engines of the
Papacy-the religious orders, the secular
priests and the higher branches of the
hierarchy-become the champions of democ-
racy, and how long would monarchy continue
in Europe?
Here, then, are the outlines of q new de-
parture in modern political action, the i'm
portance of which cannot be exaggerated.
Our ENGLISH cOntemporaries Whose Dolitical
vision does not extend beyond Long Branch
and the City Hall, may affect to scoffa it. But
in any crisis in the worlds affairs the Roman
Catholic Church must WELD transcendent in
Auence. And certainly, with an American
prelate in the chair of st. Peter, it would not
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