Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-10-15
The Guibord Case and the Catholic CIergy IL
Lower Canada.

| Lower Canada.
An intelligent correspondent of the Ne
York Tribune writes as follows from Nor
treal, under date of Sept. 23i:
As the large majority of the Province
French and Catholic, the whole system &
legislation and politics is tinged with thi
clerical influence. The old French law j
recognized and acted upon the lawyer
urge 1t in their pleadings; the judges bas
their decisions upon it, The underlyin,
principle of this French law is the subordin
alton of the State to the Church, or, to pu
it less glaringly and Extensively the complete
Independence Of the Church. Several year
ago, am told, there were strong traces O.
Gallicanism in certain seminaries Of the Pro
vince, but that has been completely stamped
out, and the most orthodox form of Ultra.
montanism is now dominant. The cham.
pion of this spirit, is Mgr. Bourget, Bishor
Of Montreal. He is thoroughly Roman, even
in the minutest triae of discipline, such as
the cut of his priests dress and the par
ticular shape Of their stiff shirt-collars. His
restless activity and indomitable energy
have made him the head of the Church in
Canada. lie is admitted to be a great man
even by those who most bitterly oppose him.
Frail Of build, dropping with age, broken
in health, and worn with the unremitting
labors Of 35 years of the episcopatc, he is
still as bold, unbending, and uncompromis-
ing as in the days of his prime He is nc.
a speaker, his voice being a feeble treble,
but he is yoluminous and powerful writer.
With such population, such principles.
such clergy, and such leader, it is no
wonder that the question Of Church and
State should be an interesting one in Lower
Canada, and that the Guibord affair should
have risen to the dimensions of national
conflict. The conduct of the clergy in this
struggle has been thoroughly Characteristic
They fought their battle to the bitter end,
having two trials in Montreal and third
one before the Privg Council. When that
supreme tribunal decided against them 1t
was generally expected that they would en-
ter protest and 20 through some other
form OF resistance. But they did nothing of
the kind. They quietly Submitted to all the
material requirements of the royal manda-
mus. The decree of the Privy Council ex-
plicitly ordered that the remains ofGuibord
should be buried in that part of the Gene
terry in which the bodies of Catholics are
usually inferred. Religious ceremonies were
not commanded, as the friends of Guibord
were willing enough TO bury him without
bell or book. The decree was obeyed 10 the
letter. The grave was allowed to be dug,
the gates Of the cemetery were left opon and
the guardian was present TO receive the usual
burial fees. No one here seriously holds the
clergy responsible for the acts Of violence
By the mob in the fowery ave-
nues of the beautiful cemetery, by which the
body OF the unfortunate printer was driven
from the gates. The clergy were at work in |
another WAY 10 retrieve themselves and pre-
sent shadow Of compensation for what
they deemed their Invaded rights TIE |
bishop proclaimed in circular that a. soon |
Is Gdibord should b. bariel, the grave
wherein he lies would be interdicted, sepa-
-ated from the rest of the cemetery and re-
5arded as accursed ground. lie likewise
,alled upon his flock 10 sign petitions to the |
queen respectfully demanding recognition
II the rights of Canadian Catholics, Ia yir-
ue of the treaties of 1868. The question
les there at present, but must inevitably
cad to still further complications.
In connection with all these proceedings,
here is one fact which must net omit TO
tate, because it throws much light upon the
whole religious question in Canada. Ii Is
notwithstanding all that has hap
,enei in times past, and all that is happen
ng now, the Catholic hierarchy and clergy
re looked upon with deal of tolerance by
he Protestants. One reason, OF course, Is
hat in the Province Of Quebec the Protest
nts are members Of minority. and have
nJoyed all their rights, educational ami
ther. from the Catholic majority But
mother and more far reaching reason is that
he Catholic clergy have throughout been
turdily true 10 the Crown, and have from
ne days OF the American invasion in HIS,
ept the French element in the grooves of
oyaity. This Is a salient fact in the history
f Canada which cannot be overlooked
iany of the French to-day are republicans
nd in favor of annexation TO the
nited States, and 1t Is certain that it would
squire no great strain at any time 10 make
he whole population hostile 10 British rule,
ut the Catholic clergy have succeeded in
maintaining among them a spirit OF feslty to
treat Britain. Tne English Canadians rec
gnize this, AMI the great party which ai-
eres TO the British connection as against the
iyocates Of independence or annexation feel
leir obligations 20 the Catholic Church and
re in Consequence disposed TO be blind to its
eculiar ways and notions The excitement
. present existing over the Guibord case
ill subside, and though, sooner or later,
le relations between Church and State
ust be settled in Lower Canada, Us else
here, feel safe in predicting that no vio-
mt measures will be resortei to against
lie clergy for many years to come. Public
pinion here is not ripe for such extremes.