The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-05-25

sent themselves TO our view in reference 10
every phase in life. The increase of wealth
and refinement has multiplied exceedingly the
number and kind of elegancies and luxuries in
which all classes of people secular and religious
are prone TO indulge. Regal as are the appoint
ments of some of the Catholic temples of wor-
ship, they are surpassed in magniticence by
several Protestant churches that lift their tall
spires upon Fifth Avenue The cost per an
mum of keeping pew in DIR. Halls Presby;eri-
an cathedral is greater than the average salary
of all the cergymen of New England In a
voluptuous age everything has to bs on SO
magnificent scale that it must perforce be
dear, and Gospel is no exception. In the cities
it is unquestionably true that the opportunities
of worship are greater for the poor in the Cath
olic than in the Protestant denomination, but
they involve expense to both.
Personally, Cardinal McCloskey is the very
beau ideal of Christian sweetness, gentleness
and grace. His purity of character and blame
lessness of life have been continual example
to his people. He has no inclination to con-
troversy, and never exhibits an aggressive
spirit. He is as free rom self consciousness
and pretence as any man possibly can be. 1t is
not in tie least degree surprising that one so
good and gifted should be the idol of his sect.
He reflects great credit on the profession to
which he belongs and on human nature gene
rally.
Some how or other the Catholic clergy as
whole, have very high reputation. This may
be because they live more within themselves
than their brethren of other persuasions and
ara less exposed to publicity and criticism, but
it is only fair to admit the creditable fact that
their practice is as rule conformable to their
preaching
1t is by no means improbable that the parade
for which the elevation of Archbishop McClos-
key has been made the occasion will lead to
reaction. That there is latent distIust of the
influence and centralism of the Romsh church
prevalent all over the country is simply indis-
putable. In what form and to what extent it
may manifest itself in the effors to establish
counter organizations is matter of specula-
ton. But religious antagonsms are always to
be deprecated not less because of the bad blood
they stir up than for the reason that they are
invariably fruitless of good results. 1t is bet
ter to trust to the forces of tme and the intelli
gence of the age to repress inordinate ecclesias-
teal supremacy, than countenance combina-
tions that have even the appearance of perse-
cution. 1t is as true now as it was in apostolic
days "if this thing be of man it will come to
nought-if of God ye cannot overthrow it,.
Judge Porters earnest and impassioned
summing up for the defense, in the Brooklyn
trial. will add to the great reputation he al
ready enjoys as an accomplished advocate. He
was compelled by i'll health to give up the part
assigned himias the cross-examiner of Moul-
ton and he is making amends for that depriva-
ton by an excoriating review of the despica-
BILE part played by that prominent actor in the
orch conspiracy. Throughout his exhaustive
address there are the most palpable indications
of indubtable confidence in the guiltlessness of
his client. He speaks with far less considera-
ton for his own fame than for Mr.. Beechers
vipdication, and in that obvious motive lies the
secret of his power wthithe jury. But his
words have been read by. a vast number of peo-
pie outside of the court room, with the liveliest
interest and admiration. He turns the whole
current of his glowing rhetoric upon Tilton,
Moulton and Bowen, showing when, where
and how each enlisted in the ignoble crusade
for the destruction of the eminent minister. 1t
will be made patent when this trial is conclu-
ded that Bowen's ISLANDERS against Mr. Beecher
antedate Tilton's accusation fully seven years
that Mrs. Tilton never made the confession of
July 1870 which was imputed to her, and served
as the foundation for the subsequent onslaught
that Titon's own imagination magnfied his
wlfe's admission of her undue subsection to
clerical Influence into the grave offense OF con-
iugal infdelity, and that Moulton alternately
puffed up with the idea of having the greatest
man he had ever known in close and confden-
tial relations with him, and incensed at the ces-
sation of that intimacy and confidence rashly
determined to be avenged at the sacrifice Of
truth, honor ard the respect of mankind. And
the end will be that the conspirators will be un-
masked baffled and overwhelmed and the in
tended victim delivered from the tolls in which
they sought to entangle and destroy him.
YARMOUTH.