The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-17
MIR. BEECIIER ON THE CARDINALSIIIP.


AN HONOR THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN BESTOWED
LONG Aao-IT HAS NO SIGNIFICANCE.
In the usual daily Lumult attending the break
ing up OF the proceedln 1t luncn time yesterday
Mr.. Beecher looked calm. confident and good
natured. In the part OF the court room where he
sits there Is always, at this eventfu period OF the
day, great knocking to ana fro OF the cane bot
toned chairs The lawyers draw their seats to-
Rether talk for . fe " moments aud then KICK
them away to go out TO lunch. The Plymouth
church people tumble over chairs and tables 70
greet their pastor for moment and pour into bis
ear words OF hope and comfort mass Of
visitors block up the passage at the rear OF tho
room to enjoy near and ample view OF the greae
personages in the trial, 30 tnat there is mach
hustle and confusion for some twenty minutes
Mr.. Beecner had q pleasant twinkle in his eye
when a HERALD reporter drew him two feet aside
rom
THE MOB OF LAWYERS
who buzzed all about him ana asked him his
opinion in regard to the appointment, at Rome. Of
Archbishop McCloskey to a cardinalship. Mr.
Eyarts was passing at the moment, and Mr..
Beecher overheard MIN say ave have made good
opening This morning." whereat the defendants
face lighted up, and for an instant he seemed 70
feel as If q load OF dismal forebodngs were taken
OF his mind. He was glad TO find the reporter
had no ntentiOn of referring to the weary topic
that must consume his thoughts Dotn day and
night. relief was welcome and ne cheertully re-
piled to the inquiry.
NO SIGNIFICANCE
"Has the appointment OF Archbishop McCosKet
a cardinal any signifcancer
Mr.. BEECHER-None beyond showing, as I think.
that the Court OF Rome takes moro interest IN tho
Catholic Church In America. In my opinion, Rome
has neglected it 20 q great extent. The Catholic
Church has made great strides In the UniteG
States. Is has thrown on It's baby clothes and en-
tered the lists for trial with the foremost con-
gregations Of the land. / think this recOgnitiOn-
OF the New York Archbishop has been dilatory.
There was Archbishop Hughes, very able man.
upon whom the honor should have been conferred
years ago.
ARCHBISHOP HUGHES.
REPoRTER-Did you know MIN, Mr.. BeecherS
Mr.. BEECHER-Not personally; but I knew
enough about him to see he was strong cham
pion on his own sde-wary, shrewd and forclble.I
His energies never suffered from stagnaton. lie
no half hearted apostle OF Catholicty and, as
rule, Catholcity Is well served by Its agents. IL
Is foremost in zeal and persistency the qualities
that help the spread of almost all ideas.
REPoRTER-What do you think Of the new Carr
dinslf
Mr.. BEscHER-By all accounts he is an excellent
man. He performs mis- duties quietly but faith
fully. He holds aOof from controversies and
leaves the quarrelllng to other people. For q
dignity like this he ia well fitted, and Catholics
will have reason to be ashamed Of the man 20
honored. only wonder the Pope did not think
long before now Of paying this graceful tribute 70
the great and growing branch OF the Church.
located in this country.
NO AGGRESSION
REPoRTER-You do not think, as some do, that
this thing means Papal aggression in America.
Mr.. BEECaER-By no means. My theory Is that
every religion in this land should have fair and
equal chance. All being on the one footing, say,,
let the best one win. II the Catholic religion
goes to the wall in the struggle, its inherent
weakness will be shown. Living in the bright
light OF the nineteenth century, that religion
alone can succeed that has bread in place OF stone
that this soil was to be the race ground OF the
earth's religions and the scene to witness the
triumph OF the true one. Liberty Of thought and
expression Is unfettered as the winds. Give aiE
then the same chance to prove themselves and an
enlightened people VIII finally discover where the
pure and sincere teaching lies. Papal aggresslo1
Is q mere bugbear. II 1t be the aggression OF
thought and argument every disinterested man
viii welcome 1t. Aggression, in the sense OF aim
Ing to subvert the country's religious and poiti-
Cal liberties Is absurd for 1t Implies that 80 600 o0o
OF people must be inferior to her. Away with big
otry and intolerance, and leave to reason, con-
trolled by faith, the solution as TO which religion
best deserves the SURFACES OF great people.
Mr.. Beecher, shortly after expressing these l5S
eral sentiments, left to 60 to his lunch.