New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-11-02
THE REJECTION OF DIR. SEYMOUR.

THE BIsHOP-ELECT'S UNFTNEsS NOT PROvED-A
PARTISAN yICTORY-DIsRUPTION OF THE CHURCH
TO BE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. CONSIDERATIONS
SUGGESTED.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: VIII you permit me to comment on the
action OF the General Convention OF the Episcopal
Church in the matter of the Bishop Of Illinois ask it
of THE TRIBUNE because do not know OF any religious
paper of our Church which would admit criticism OF
such action.
First let mo show just what they have!done. They
have declared, with the solemDity OF an oath,
that they are Uniformed" that Dr. Seymour Is
Justly liable to evil report for error in re-
lgion or viciousness OF nfe;" or that they
know that is personally-or "beeve THAT is on
sufficient eyidence-that there is an impeachment on
account OF which he ought not to be consecrated OF
that they do not believe that he hath led his life for
three years last past piosy or that they DO not be-
ieye that he hath led his life sobery The delegates
to the General Convention are elected for other
duties as we'll as to sign the testimonials OF
Bishops-clect. The conditions on which they
may decline this duty expressed in the tes-
tiponia itself, which is part Of the Canon Law and
are all enumerated above. Hthey have not this IN
formation" knowledge" "belief or disbelief they
Canonca duty Let il be observed. that they not
called upon, by Canon permitted to express officially
fitness Of the man for the particular Blshoprc. This
matter is by the Canon wholly and entirety re-
It I'd to servs the in %ssn Se's "e
which is primarily and chiefly interested In this matter
She does not commit this question at all to the General
Convention, and any action on TINS ground oy hat DJoy
ia an uncanonica intrusion on and INVASION OF the rights
OF diocese which ought to be resented ana ny
But as some fact might be unknown TO the diocese
diocese from signing the testimonials the Church takes
from the awer House Of the General Convention what
authors OF this fordeelare to be sufficient that they
npedimens, srt belleye that the person 70
prof seymour has for more than ten years held the
Chair OF History chief Theological Seminary. AS
ton of theology This chair second to nc ether and
the place is probably second to no other
h as ss9s for anas fRs
observation Of the whole Church and came under the
cnuTsS The 1snops Of
on All the dioceses are entitled TO representation on
5hs SsstG VI % Was he rejected Justly liable 70
evil report for error in religion or vcionsness OF ie
Credat Judaeus Apelia-in diomatc English, Tell that
to the marines"
count of which he Ought not 10 De eonsecraed" In
pedlment technical word economically limited Does
X mean the impediments OF the Old Canon LAW But
the American Church clearly shown that she does
not adhere those old canonical rules and she had
now on the Bench What they have done they have
done the solempty Of an OATH The Church by the
form testimonial puts the dele gates oath from the
time tho testimonials before them. Refusal there
fore his answer oath that he has one or more
of these canOncal grounds Of information, knowl-
edge or belief" The House OF Deputies have
given this testimony In this case. Not only
this they have done this after socaled Investigation
OF week, investigation in secret session. trial 10
which the respondent excluded What Is such secret
session IL Is simply invitation 10 open into the
Lower House the sluloes OF idle gossip, Careless runor,
and II need be malicious SANDER with pledge OF iDmu
nifty It's authors and abettOrs 10 an inquest ex
payte, with power VI conviction u Is an inunation pc
forehand that the delegates are about TO 90
which they would not dare TO do openly III presents 10
tho world and the Church much more the appearance
OF the political partsanship OF ward pocians rather
than the sober dignity VI honorable nen seeAhB 10 get
at the truth. -. ,,,.
As though nothing should be wanting TO the humlha
ton OF the Church. leaks out that the grand stroke OF
strategy was delivered with the sagacity OF political
cunning at the last moment Judicousiy withlelu w
that opportune moment when discussion was nearly
ended ia the form OF letter OF Bishop 70 one OF the
delegates. complaining that Prof. seymour mad per
mltted access the students on the part OF clergy
man Of the Church IN good standing put
with whom that Bishop happens 70 diner
In certain matters OF theological opinion, rs
though Prot. Seymour could have prevented such ac-
ess II he mad tiled. The students Of the Seminary
not YET costered and trust may never happen that
aud Of schools OF thought In the Church
IL Is the second In 30 years thai the Diocese Of
Illinois has denied It's choice OF = Bishop. Would
n not be we'll TO put the diocese OF Illinois In commits
SION or 10 send committee OF the Lower House 70 H.
sruct Its convention IN the art OF eeeting Blshopsf
But in all seriousness, II would be wei Tor the Con-
yenton 10 undorsta nd. tnat this looked ton Dy many
Ia the Church simply Us partisan victory InA wna
they done 10 clearly an invasion OF tne canonic
rignts OF diocese. aud that such nvAsions o. prncpo'
sspeslAux yesR DOVE v ssskaiIYG Aaa =