The New York herald., 1878-02-08

severe trials. Tho immense Catholic Irish populs-
lion, the French, the south Gsrman lsucn ~ Aus
TRAN, Bavarian, Hessian, Badenser, Wurtemberse,
&c the spanish, Cuban and ltaiiaa elements. among
whom the Catholic religion rules with potential sway
est aud among those who were ardent members OF
tho Church II occasoned, naturally, deep fcit regret
and sorrow. How many homes were there not yes
terday in New YORK In which the old, faded portrait
or photograph OF the Holy Father was drawn forIn
and socmnly and revcrenty viewed anna tho
blessings Of the entire family.
A GENERAL roPic
In hotels, cafes, omnipuses cars the streets and
In private homes, the signal event was almost gen-
orally referred to. Even the most earnest free
THINKER, to whom the Pope was nothing but power
o It's frame by all the clever theological argument in
the world, could not help being somewhat moved by
this death, which cast It's shadow over the entire
ovii,xed world. Who would DO tho next PopeY
Would Germany really contest the old conclave
Would ,h. great ohurch eona,et ,p now nos.
many and Italy be Affected by the Pope's
dsa.na Those we're questions which, growing i'm.
medatcly out OF this event, as they did, interested
even the most nveteratc anti-papist In New YORK
aud they wore generally discussed Many other
significance, looked at II as a striking political
dramatic coup de theatre in the midst OF the fiery
blaze OF the Russo-i urkish war and the threatenlng
aspect OF European affairs pointing to general con
1agration. According TO these opinions It was a
striking coincidence that the Popes death, thut had
been so long expected, should have taken place at
time wnen the peace Of the whole o. Europe this
most critical point And then. again, those to whom
the event bore neither religious nor political nor
dramatic meaning were moved by It from purely
human considerations The Popo had been great,
abiding. vivid presence to them in their intellectual
liie from worry curly CHILDHOOD and IL was ir
one OF the great aures that had ncd out the century
and given II coloring and life had passed away
And thus the Pope's deccase, whether looked ut
from the religious or political or IRON the purely
human or dramatic sta ndpoint, and whether viewed
by Catholics, Protestants Tree thinkers atheists.
did not fail 10 excite general Interest In the city
yesterday The first news by cable was received at
hapast twelve O'Clock, and II seemed scarcely halt
an hour later when hundreds oil ncwsbovs were run
ninS thro1sn tho streets shouting With all their
wait for tho last editions Of the alter
noon papers appearing at tour or Eve o'clock
moagre particular OF the first dispatches ana
Tor the remainder OF the day public interest ia tho
war, IN the Silver bill aud even In the hel queston
was completely ovorshadowed by this great death in
Rome.
PROTESTANT KsrixArEs.
"A number OF Protestant clergymou were Yesterday
asked Tor their estimate OF the character of the Illus
trous departed and with voice they spoke OF Plo
Mono IN terms OF respect and vencraton OF this
number It will suffice 10 quote TWO represent.
atives OF the Protestant clergy OF New York.
Tho Rev. Morgan l.. Dix, rector oil Trinity Church
tive OF the Protestant element OF tho com munitv
tersely aid:-"A can say in reference 10 tho Pope
IS that always bad the highest respect and rever-
ence Tor him as man, and that regret to hear Of
his DEATH although 1t does not surprise ma believe
Rev. Dr. Chaplin, pastor OF the Church OF the Divine
Paternity, :T saw the Pope, in Rome about M.
teen years ago. l saw him several times and no
made = singIlarly favorable impression upon me
His face seemed TO DC the worry embodiment of
MI tnat was kindIy ana ponencent; 30 much so that
had been IN any trouole--a stranger In a strange
land-l think would havo picked bin out OF the
biggest crowd as the ono whom should
have appealed TO for assistance. That is |
think, Tie very highest opinion can give
Of his appearance. " course | do not know
what, If any, effect his death Will produce on The great
church questions agitsting several countries How.
ever, doubt II they viii produce any; for, as you
know, The Catholic Church allows no pcrsonaity-,ts
popes, bshops and priests may de- hut the Church
COCA on forever. think the Pope q good man
Of pure and iovable character, ana TINS, Ibeeve Is
the estimate OF HIM formed by the vast majority of
Protestants; indeed, by oil, except perhaps u few
bR0ts, whose opinions may bo swaysd by religious
fanaticsm aud therefore turned INTO hostile direc-
tion."
Cardinal McCloskey's secretary, Rev. Father Farley
stated last evening That as yet His Emnence had rc.
ceived no official notice Of the pope's DEATH