The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-07-22
AMERICAN CARDINALS.

! Some Of the Northern papers are discussing
the propriety and legality of the acceptance
of Cardinals hat by an American, should
Pope Plus IN bestow that dignity upon one OF
more members of the Roman Catholic Church
in the United States. The Constitution does
not forbid any private citizen from accepting
titles Of nobility from foreign Government
or Sovereign, the prohibition only applying to
those who hold offices OF trust or profit under
this Government Even in such cases any
present, Office or title 50 bestowed may be ac-
cepted by otfice-holding Americans with the
consent OF Congress.
Since the Pope has been deprived of his
temporal dominions, the title Of Cardinal has
become a purely ecclesiastical one, like that
of Archbishop or Bishop; and in view Of the
fact that the College of Cardinals elect the
Pope it seems but fair to the several millions
Of American Catholics that their voice should
be heard in the next Conclave. So long as the
Pope was not only the spiritual ruler of his
church, but also an Italian Sovereign, it was
right and proper that the majority Of the
Cardinals should belong to that nationality,
particularly, rs they assisted the Pope in the
exercise Of his temporal powers
AZ matters now stand, we think the dis
tinction of the cardinalate might very properly
be conferred upon some of our most eminent
Roman Catholic prelates, upon such men as Dr.
Purcell, Of Cincinnati; Dr. McCloskey, Of New
York, or last, though not least our own veneer
able fellow-tow7isman, Archbishop Perche
The bestowal of Cardinals hat upon either or
all three Of these distinguished leaders of the
Catholic Church in the United States would
doubtless be received by the members Of that
communion as graceful recognition of their
growing numbers and importance in the
Catholic world, and we scarcely imagine any
exception would be taken to it by those be-
longing to other religious denominations.
Since we have alluded to this subject, it
may be propos to remind our readers that
the Cardinals are next in dignity to the Pope,
that they enjoy the rank of princes, and bear
the title Of Eninences. Their name is derived
from cardinals Distinguished. Under
Alexander III, in the twelfth century, they
we're invested with the exclusive right Of
choosing the Pope, with whom they form what
S called = The Sacred College,"
They are divided into three classes or
anks- Cardinal Deacons, Cardinal Priests
md Cardinal Bishops. Cardinal Antonelli.
he Prime Minister Of Plus TX, never
ook the orders of priesthood, and it is even
'sserted that the Pope might, if he choose,
ppoint layman to that high position.
The dress Of the Cardinals consists Of a sur
'lice with short purple mantle, and small
ap, over which they wear hat, with silk
trings and tassels at the end The color is
ither red or violet. Under the Aucien Reqi,ae,
he kings Of France gave to Cardinal the
ite of cousin. When sent in diplomatic
haracter they are styled legates ad late,e
'ormerly they preceded princes Of the blood,
At at the right Of kings, on or near the :
arone, and an humble goat-herd, like the
ardinal who subsequently became Sixtus V =.
as considered equal to king in rank
a that respect, at least, the Medieval Church y
lay be considered as the pioneer of modern
however much she may repudiate
he political application of democratic doc :
ines in our own day.