The Evening critic., 1882-04-08
THE PASTORAL
OF the Catholic Provincial Council
Of Cincinnati - Bishop Elder Re-
niles 90 Criticisms Of the Press.


bishop william II. Elder, coadjutor OF Arch.
bishop rGscoll, Diocese OF Cincinnati, has
written n letter defending the pastoral letter
OF tho Provincial Council, whose session re-
Gently closed I'm Cincinnati, from lntcrpreta.
tions put upon that letter by a portion OF tie
press. The following extracts from the lettor
which was written IN reply to comments by
the Commercial Will serve to show his inter-
probation OF those portions Of tho provincial
letter which have been criticised:
"1n all that VIC say about equality and In.
equality among mon we only give distinct
expression to simple, palpable fact, which
suppose no one VIII deny. Wealth glvcs mon
sSnang ain before law hat Doysry has not
wealthy man can engage ADLER counsel. He
can give bond for making appeal, and In vari.
Gus ways man who has money and powerful
friends has bettor chances before the law than
one who has neither.
". Politically the few control the many Is
not this very commonly fact? Tako our coun-
try, where the Government Is entirely popu-
lar Are there not In each party leaders, exc
cutivc committees, journalists, men liberal
with money, mon employing largo numbers
Of workmen, men holding appointments to
Offices; then, men or higher talents, better
education, moro Skin In persuading people2
Put all these together. They are still TOW in
comparison to the great mass of voters. Now
this Is all we said in regard to equality and In
equality, and this ls all we meant to say. Noxt
with regard to ruling. We may say II Is
ordained by God that 'some shall rule and
some shall be ruled. Is not this ordained
likewise by our State laws and our city ordi-
nances2 The Governor and the Legislature,
Mayor and City Council are ruling,
and all citizens arc ruled or ought
to be ruled by their enactments. Those
who are appointed to rule have certain rights
that subjects have not Is this any strange
doctrine--that tho Mayor and Board OF Alder
men have rights given them to enact or to en-
force ordinances which we other citizens have
no right TO enact or enforce, but which we are
bound before God and man TO obey? Hence
kings, magistrates, bishops, priests arc ap-
pointed to rule. To connne ourselves to civil
officers, is there anything wrong in saying
that our Mayor, and our Governor and our
President are appointed to rule? For what else
are they appointedr'
In conclusion the Bishop says, In reference
to the question whether all authority comes
from Gods ''There is neither time nor room to
enter on 1t now. i Will only say that God g own
declaration on that point is unmistakable. Ii
Is uttered by the Holy Ghost through the pom
of st. Paul. Let every soul be In subjection to
higher powers: for there is no power but OF
God, and powers that be are ordained of God.
-Epistle to the Romans, ch. KILL verse L.
SIT would be easy to show that this doctrine
so far from being anti-democratic, Is the very
truth that furnishes the most solid foundation
| for democratic government; the most effectua
protection against despotism and arbitrary
| power; and, therefore, the best security fol
| the liberty Of the people and the peaceful en-
| joyment Of their rights"