The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-20

religious Ibelef-because he adheres tenacously to
an old and respectable creed which insists mo-
rality and the ten comma and ments That religion un-
fortunately is by its own choice ut with every
other and the American constitution 10 the political
expression of the principles which the Pope has
violently condemned. The Syllabus says
that men not free; that they not capable of
taking care OF themselves; that the laity, in the
most Important matters, must be guided and gov
erned by the clergy; that the press ought TO be
under censorship; that. the Catholic religion
being true. all others false and therefore ought
not to be tolerated.
WHAT A CATHOLIC MAJORITY COULD DO.
eve agree that the spiritual part Of man ought to
rule the materials the question is where the spirit
uai par. y, an, man ;, d rasson
the Catholic says that it Is in the Church and that it
speaks through bishops and priests. Thus. every
tells him. and republic OF true Catholics becomes
a theocracy administered by the clergy 1t is only
they can be loyal subjects under such constitu-
ton as the American. AS their numbers grow they
them the power. and the constitution will be gone
Catholic majority, under spiritual direction, will
iotpla Of Conscience It viii control educatn it
will put the press under surveillance; 1t
will punish opposition with excommunica,
with civil disabilities. That 1t will try
to do all this. long as 1t accepts the
rent is as certain as mathematics. It tried before.
in the Dark Ages will try again in the age Of en-
lightenment Doubtless. were things to come
to such pass. the laity would discover-as they
discovered before--that they had rights as we'll
earthly Hs asis better na ss 'y ea
and priests with fresh statutes Of pramanire.
The bishops would have to be content with half the
loaf, instead Of the whole Of 1t. to save their
temporalities. But the battle could not be fought
under the forms of the American Republic. The
Republic only subsist while the citizens are in
dvidually independent. and, against disciplined
cation as stable itself alone contend success
fully.
A DIRECT MENACE
sTo the Republic as it stands the Catholic system
is direct menace. Men must be Judged by their
professions. Free governments in the New World
and in the Old stand face to face with system
which denies the axioms on which they rest--a sys-
theoretically complete. aggressive and success
ful growing nucleus in q universe of
atoms; a compact body in the midst of di-
vided interest and contendng opinions challenging
federation it contemptuously refuses ana availing
to set it's foot on liberty itself. NO wonder
that modern governments look with alarm at the
spectre which has thus appeared among them. The
ultramontane theory cannot itself triumph. but 1t
can make end Of hastings and ballot box. 1t
tain itself it will be fatal to intellectual freedom.
yet from which shall be unable to drive 1t with
out recourse to methods which we hoped that we
had outgrown.
1.-THE growth of the Irish element has for some
time disturbed the min DIS OF Americans. They have
absorbed substance which they have been unable
to assimiiae. and it nterferes with their digestion.
A religion to which the Irish vote has given power
and consequence can already turn the scale among
their political parties. 1t IS out Of harmony with
that no one could have looked for. their rela-
tons with the adjoining transatlantic States.
The AngouAmericans are the leaaing power We,
interference OF European governments IN any part
OF the American continents: they have asserted
isthmus Darien they have regarded Canada itself
as virtually belonging to them. although they have
been content that 1T should remain, in name.
British dependency till it desires for itself TO
enter the Union; but 1t has been . point of
h eaeo and Central Amerc Sa sSn
Domingo. and Cuba aud the other islands will even
tualy gravitate into one body with them at no dis
tant time, And they now confronted with the
unpleasant fact that the Catholicism which they
have already much cause to fear is in all
these countries overwhelmingly predominant. In
the British provinces there 1000 600 Catholics:
in Spanish Americs and the islands there arc
4O.oO0,oOO; and further annexation wears less at
tractive aspect when the effect must be to swell the
numbers which are already within their own bor-
ders.
that the time has gone by when religion can have
practical influence on politics.
WHERE PINCHEs
",rho Americans light hearted. confident in
themselves and IN their principles. and till lately
real danger to them The New Workers vain Of
their new Cathedral. They have had pride in feel
ting Oldest of Se old su a
ready, in vital point the shoe which they have made
for themselves is pinchng them II there is one thing
which they prouder of than another it is their
national schools. The Roman Catholics do not like
these schools; they insist on educating their own
children; they intend II they can, to apply the edu
cation rate to UNCONVENTIONAL purpose; and in
New York. and possibly in Boston itself. their
numbers give them chance of success. Nor
is this the worst. In America. as In Eng
lard and Scotland, they are making converts out
of the Protestant communions. Weak, imaginative
people, disturbed by theological controversies. are
imposed by the pretensons OF church which sits
calmly in the midst of the confusion and claims
exclusive possession OF truth. The attraction Of
bodies is in proportion to their mass. and COM
munity Of seven millions with single heart and
which want force to make an orbit for themselves.
That an educated American Protestant should. at
this time of day. run his head into the sand and
call himself Catholic is sufficiently absurd; but
the ridiculous has has its tragic side: and however
can say what may happen meanwhile.
THE NOTE OF ALARM.
I" The principles OF liberty. says an anonymous
author may forbid that the Roman Catholics shall
be refused the same privileges which allowed to
others;' but he says:-'Neither liberty. equality
nor justice requires that Roman Catholicism shall
be permitted to pursue its nsidious methods of at
tack unchaenged.' 1t is one thing to allow to all
the right to choose any religion they please it
is quite another thing to allow church.
as dangerous and powerful as the Church
wa Ss sens o. To
check the evil in its stages of incipency.'
Doing sonethingl But what is the something which
is to be done? hint Is dropped that "a debased
and irresponsible suffrage may have to do with the
mischief. The Roman Catholic peasantry who have
tnres care for the
interests. NO far they have any. are In Ireland and
their Greco, ana VINO vote as tuor priests
them why should such vices be allowed to exercise
a prcponderating influence In the American nation?
But the thought is not followed out. Universal suf
frage' Just is tho American sovereign. 1t Is
surrounded with the sacred awe which belongs to
imperial majesty and to breathe word against
it il treason The remedy has still to be found. and
the writer but prolong ana reterate the note Of
alarm.
AN IMPENDING CRISIS.
1.-THE Americans are thoroughgoing when they are
reused. The civil war showed what they would do
il their country or their principles were really in
danger, and. il the progress of Romanism creates
difficulties with which the constitution cannot
deal they will not sacrifice realities to scru-
pies of form. A Falk law in tine last extremity
may not be impossible, IL all else fails to check the
growth of n religion which strikes ut the Pounds
tons of the State If Romanism becomes strong
enough to command majority ut any important
local the crisis will arrive, because the con-
stitution Insists the equality OF all creeds be-