The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-14
nation of Christians can regard it as of small

consequence.
One of the dispatches from Rome,
which we printed yesterday, repeats
from the Voce di Ter;to statement
that "the Pope confers the cardinals hat on
Archbishop McCloskey not only on account
of the personal merits of that prelate but be-
cause the Holy See is DESTROYS of honoring
the Catholics of America and of marking the
progress of Catholicism in the United States
There is no room to doubt that ''the progress
of Catholicism in the United States has
been very remarkable. When John Carroll,
of Mary land, was, in 1870, made the first
Catholic bishop in America, there were less
than forty thousand people in this country
belonging to that communion. In 1908,
appointed, the Catholic population amounted
to only one hundred and fifty thousand souls.
In 1850 there were twenty-seven Catholic
bishops in the United States and Catholic
population of about one million and half.
At present-we follow Catholic authorities
and statisticians who may perhaps exagger-
ate-the Catholic population of the country
is about six millions. If this estimate
be even approximately correct the extraor-
binary growth of that communion is fitted to
arrest attention and deserves the profound
consideration of all Catholics and all Protest
ants and, indeed, of all intelligent citizens
who take an interest in the higher aspects Of
our national life. Subjects of this class,
which engage the attention of every enlight-
ened traveller in a foreign country, cannot be
deemed trivial by anybody who desires to
reach correct estimate of the play of moral
forces in the United States. Protestants and
Catholics have an equal interest in such facts;
and it is the facts, rather than their recogni-
ton by the Pope, which challenge public at
tention The creation of cardinal, who, for
geographical reasons, cannot be expected to
discharge the customary duties Of that Office,
on the express ground ''of marking the prog
ress of Catholicism in the United States -
cannot nationally be regarded with indiffer-
ence by any Of our religious sects
The selection Of Archbishop McCloskey for
this distinction is joint tribute to his per-
sonal worth and the importance of his arch
diocese. The number of Catholics in the
archdiocese of New York is estimated to be
six hundred thousand, while the next highest,
that of Baltimore, is only two hundred and
fifty thousand that of Cincinnati, two hun
dred and twenty thousand that of New
Orleans, two hundred thousand and Of the
two or three other archdiocese still less. II
an American Catholic was to be raised to the
Cardinalate, there can be no question of the
eminent fitness, both on personal grounds
and the importance Of his charge, OF the Sc
lection already made. Archbishop McCloskey
will wear this unsought honor with the meek
ness of Christian, and, While he tulfls every
requirement of propriety by grateful acknowl-
edgements to the Pope, he will unostenta-
tiously pursue the even tenor Of his way in
the assdious discharge of his duties precisely
as if this high distinction had not been con-
ferred upon him. 1t can hardly increase the
respect and affectonate attachment Of his CO.
religionists, although they will rejoice in this
recognition of the American branch of their
Church and cordially approve Of the fitness
of the choice.