New-York tribune., 1884-01-13
CARDINAL MoCLOSKEY AND ARCHBISHOP
BTGHCS

The iuhilce celebration of Cardinal MCClOSkey,
who commcmorated Yesterday the fftieth an
niversary of his ordination as priest, is an Oc-
casion of deep interest to the attached flock OF
this cstmable pastor. In his half-century OF
labor he has seen an astonishing change In the
condition of the Catholic Church in New Ork,
and one could hardly find a more striking Illus
tration of this rapid development than in the
contrast between his peaceful administration
and the career of his famous predecessor. Dr.
McCloskey entered upon the duties of parish
nriest in New-YOrk lust as DR.. Hughes began
his stormy episcopate. The CathoBc churches
of the metropolis were few in number at that
time,weak in membership, and distracted by
debts and disorders. The popular feeling
against Popery was intense. "The Awful Dis,
closures of Maria Monk" were fair type of the
polcmical literature of that day, when con-
troversial sermons were couched in the
style of penny dreadful, and people
were taught. in public addresses, that there
were dungeons under the Cathedral for
the Imprisonment and torture of evangelical
clergymen. The invcctiveS of the Rev. Justin
Fulton would have been thought too moderate
by congregations which shuddered under DR..
BrOwnlec.
Into an exctable Protestant community OF
this sort Bishop Hughes burst like young IRISH
man spelling for fight. Never shrinking from an
attack, nor often waiting forit, he grasped his
crosier like shillelah, and belabored the preach
els the politicians and the pamphleteers with
cheerful alacrty which added to religious dis
cussons novel sensation. The signature OF
" + john was In all the newspapers, nor did
the daily press itself escape his attentions.
He attacked the elder James Gordon Bennett
in a strain of invectiye which even The Herald
could not match, though it must be con-
fessed that Mr.. Bennett made full use of his
peculiar talents in that line. The Bishops
house was mobbed and his windows
were stoned. Once there were rumOrs Of a
plan to attack the Cathedral on election night;
the Bishop posted three or four thousand armed
Catholics in the churchyard. During the
Native American excitement churches, private
houses and convent were burned in Philadel-
phia and there We're fears Of similar violence in
New York the Bishop put a strong guard into
every church, refused request that he would
urge Catholics to keep the peace, and warned
the Mayor that If he did not protect Catholic
property the Catholics would fight for it. Nor
while he was whackng the enemies Of the Lord
did he neglect them who were of the household
of faith He put down insubordination with
heavy hand, reformed abuses, and set the
churches In order. He condemned the Young
Ireland party with unsparing severity, and had
no tOleratiOn for any movement which pre-
vented the Irish from becoming merged in the
country of their adoption. They ought to look
upon themselves, he said, as Americans, not as
exiles. When the Papal Nuncio, MonsgnOr
Bedni, was in this country, he was puzzled by
the exceptional prominence given to Archbishop
Hughes in the popular estimation, and he asked
an American to explain it. L think" was the
answer, " that it is because he is always game"
When he rested at last he left great many
broken heads in the diocese, but he left peace
Dr. McCloskey was Bishop Ilughess assistant
during three very turbulent years, but he had
no part in quarrels and controversies When
he was promoted TO the archbishOpric in 1864
the occasion for warfare had passed. A more
tolerant spirit prevailed in society. Christian
zeal found better employment than fighting and
calling hard names. Archbishop Hughes was
an admirable leader during a period which
called especially for pluck, determination, and
a rude aggressive vigor. Cardinal McClosiey
was not less signally fitted for an era OF peace
and good feeling. His gentle disposition, his
practical sense, his accomplishments, his easy
and charming address, his simple and ire
proachabe life, won the respect of those who
differed widely from him in doctrine, and
seemed also to qualify him in particular
manner for the government OF a church which
had established itself through conflict and nov