New-York tribune., 1874-10-21
THE RITUALISTIC CONFLICT FULLY UNDER

DIR. sEYMOUR's CONFIRMATION THE POINT ON
WHICH THE BATTLE TURNs-THE DECISION TO
BE THE DEFEAT OR VICTORY OF THE EXTREME
RITUALIsTs.
TO the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR The delay in the confirmation of the
Rev. Dr. Seymour Bishop Of Illinois is thing un-
preeedented In several instances. among which was
that OF the first BshopElect Of NewJersey and an As
sisant Bishop Elect Of Illinois, the General Convention
refused the conservation Of the elect But
In has the delay been long or the discussion
proracted. The interest Of the public. inside and out
side the Episcopal Church. has been much aroused by
this unexamped instance OF secret and prolonged dis
cusson, and 1t that 1t may be worth while
to ex plain the real cause OF the delay
DR.. Seymour Is estmabe man personally but
there is enough in his character position to
the intense interest his nomination has created in the
Church Ordinarily man like the DGctor would pass
by routine and without question. He has not been
prominent writer preacher, or In the counses OF
the Church. OF fair average ability, and sufficient
learning for his place, he has been known only as
tutor-scarcely as professor. for he lacks original
learning and philosophic grasp-in the General Semi
nary. What could be said in his favor could be soon
said and what could be urged against him personally
could be only what has been urged already-a certain
irascbiity OF temper which is perhaps incidental to
one who has always been a schoolmaster or teacher.
tits not anything personal to Dr. Seymour which in
era Convention. The man DR.. Seymour is not under
discussion The real is that 1t is felt that the
battle Of Rualism is being fought out and that
Dr. Seymour but fgure-head in the strife. To be
sure there not the In the De Koyen Affair."
a-pronounced declaration, which may be publicly pro-
duced as 1t publicly uttered Dr. De KOyen Ia far
bolder he is far abler man than Dr. Seymour. The
latter has very careful His friends early boasted
that he had published nothing which bands could be
laid In the Convention of Illinois 1t declared that
he was moderate churchman. Indeed 10 was stated
that his of the Eucharist lower than that
commonly entertained by moderate High Churchmen
his supporters there the most noted
extremists The claim has been made that 1t was these
representations about his moderate views which secured
his election, and that he being really an extremist 1t
WAS case Of misplaced confidence Hence the memo
rals from Illinois They on the assertion that the
Diocese did not to elect Rtualist; that II Dr.
Seymour be such, 1t has been deluded by his friends
and il the to the General Convention to save
IL from its mistaken trust in electioneerng assu
RANGES. The question before the Convention then Is
whether Dr. Seymour is Ritualist II he be clearly
sbown TO be SO the Convention will not him. the
convention Of Illinois would not In such have
elected him.
But here Is the hitch While DR.. seymour's friends
and advocates among the most advanced" while
they viii vote solid" for him in the Convention, while
he has always worked with and by public reputation has
been counted with that party, while himself, DR.. De
Koyen and Dr. Dix have been looked upon as the leaders
Of IT, still the boast of his friends is true he has only
published two personal pamphlets, one attacking Dean
Forbes the other the rector OF st. Thomass and
mon or twO and nobody md any statement OF doc
rine on disputed matter for which he can be held
responsible His friends, therefore, are pressing this
yiew and many of the delegates from distant doceses
are Influenced by Its plausbility. Nevertheless. the
understanding is distinct among thoughtful and wise
men that the Doctors confirmation will be victory for
the Extremists and his rejection their defeat The Doctor
is IN the position Of candidate who has had platform
made for him and has consented to occupy It, He repre-
sents the platform and the party The candidates own
declarations the past amount TO nothing He 10 not
important for what he is or has been but for what he
representa- This may be DIR. Seymours fault or his mis-
fortune In either comes to the His
armation will be hailed with rejoicing by the outspoken.
pronoauced aud p9st extreGe Of the RtualstA II VII