St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-03-31
MOnsignOr Capel, His Early Popular
ity and the Anomalous Position
Which He Occupied.
introduced in Disraell's Novel ''Lo-
THAR Under the Gauzy Dis
guise of ''Catesby."
Talented, Keen and Ready, Anything in the
Gift of the Church Seemed
Within His Reach,
But a Difficulty With Cardinal Newman Cast
a Cloud Over His Life-Capel
in the United States.

Capel had only reached the climaterie OF
youth when, in 1870, Benjamin Disraeli in
troduced him under the gauzy disguise of
"Cstesby," to an audience as wide as civil
cation. A young man of SO, there were no
honors that seemed to lie beyond the am
bilious hopes of the fascinating priest Gifted
with rare intellect, with keen and compre-
hensive vision, with ready tact. with in
structiYe knowledge of human nature in It's
general outlines and special developments,
and withal possessed of genial, running
disposition and persuasive manner, he was
already the idol of the religious element in
London society. He had been houored with
special favors by Pope Plus *. having served
as private Cham berlain in the papal
when little over thirty. Through his per-
suasive logic distinguished memb ers OF the
English aristocarcy had been induced to join
the Catholic church, and his active brain and
wide knowledge made him a recognized
factor in the hidden mechanism Of European
politics The Catesby of ''Lethair' seemed
like study from the era Of Machiayelli and
the supple diplom artists of the past, yet there
was less, far less, than Disraelis customary
GAdS7C4dl 4Ou III lAC pAILulC' SohSoES was
a study from life drawn by the skilful hand
Of a kindred spirit, and one who had raised
himself from lower depth than Capel ever
sounded to an eminence that might well
satisfy even the dreams Of the ambitious
ecclesast's ambition.
The monsignor occupied an anomalous
position in the Catholic church, yes, l may
say position as anomalous as that church
itself occupies in England. There is, of
course, as a matter of fact, the fullest and
freest tolerance for Catholic worship in
England and the prelates Of that church air
their dignities and exercise their authority
as openly in England as in the United States
or Spain. But England is fond of legal fc-
lions and she sticks with characteristic per
sistence to the fiction that the Catholic church
is not allowed to celebrate its rites, and that
Catholic bishops are not allowed TO wear their
titles in Great Britain. This is only one of
the beautiful and romantic ficti0ns which are
embedded in English law like the proverbial
fly in the amber. One of these fctons is that
the king or queen can do no wrong-which
to-day only means that they can do nothing
and that all power is welded by the
tx piuisters-anot is the kindred Pigment
1t all the soil is owned by the king and that
otherwise enjoy the benefits Of ownership
only hold reyOkable grant from his majesty.
This is why | have said that the Catholic
church holds an anomalous position in Eng
land. Scarcely less anomalous was the posi-
ton held by Mgr. John Thomas Capel about
the time Of Disraeli's celebrated publication
Not even Henry Edward Manning, cardinal,
prince and Archbishop Of Westminster was
more potent in council or deeper in the Sc
crets Of Rome; yet the monsignor bad no
powers beyond those of an unattached priest.
This was due in some measure perhaps to the
delicate health which mad compelled DIR.
Capel to spend much Of his time
IN southern Europe. 1t may have
9leen also due in part, as current
rumor alleged, to jealousy on the part Of the
higher dignitaries of the church, of the at
tainmeuts and popularity Of the young priest.
But he had-Hthind him the favor of the vati-
can, and under the direction Of DR. Newman,
afterwards created cardinal, he was entrusted
with the supervision of the educational in
stitution at Kensngton, which was intended
as the nucleus OF a great Catholic university
In England.
John Henry Newman, now cardinal deacon
and second in authority in England to Cardi-
nal Manning, is, like the latter preate, con
vert from Protcstautsm. and, like Manning
also. he held high rank as a scholar and divine
before he rclinquished the honors he had
gained to seek fresh distinction within the
pale of Rome. He has been especially inter
cstcd In the culture Of the clergy, recog-
niziug the fact that in such a country as
England an illterate clergy could only bring
the church into disrepute and retarI rather
may seem, the men of the Manning and
Newman stripe have never relinQushed the
idca that England, in spite OF evangelical
ism, in spite of the spread of materialistic
culture, in spite of the traditional jealousy Of
the preteusious of Rome that has become
national instinct, can yet be recouquered for
the Roman communion. II has been Gus
tomary 10 laugh at the eXtrayagaut fears Of
Nhallry, Ncwdegate, Sir Nilfred Lawson
and the other ultra Protestauts who for years
kept the house of commons amused by their
anxiety lest Rome should steal a march
On them, but these gentlemen have not
been SO far astray in their instructive
recognition of the plans and purposes Of
The Roman hierarchy. OF course In the mis-
sionary zeal that inspired Wiseman as it in
spires Manning and Newman, there is moth
ug more discreditable than the kindred
sentiment that fires the zeal of the propa-
Eaudists Of every faith. II men believe that
heir doctrine is right, they are justified in
declaring Il: II they believe that its reception
is necessary 10 salvation, as the missiouar-
es OF every faith believe, they cannot aim at
anything less than universal conquest.
So much by way Of depression. | had in
tended to speak OF the peculiar personal
qualities of Dr.. Newman, under whose di-
.ssfiDr, Mon sivuDr ANIL found him self in
his work At Keusington. He is a man OF
uudoubted earuestuess, naturally gentle,
mild aud placable, but hard as steel when
disciplinary vigor is demanded in the inter
est of the church. He recognized the per-
sonai charm Of Capel ami the force Of the
spell eNerted by the young priest but he was
the last man in the world 10 be Influenced by
such considerations in his official capacity.
III.
Suddenly NousigUor Cspel fell under
cloud The cardinal regarded him with dis
favor; his functions were suspended. aud he
lch England for Rome. where be was still re-
me1nbercd with kindly favor He met
friendly ptiou, aud his story of the dbl
Guilty that had disturbed his friendly relations
with his ecclesiastical superi0rs passed into
general circulation. Il Was said by Ms friends
whether dc was rcSuouS stole for the state
mCutS or not Is imm2tcrial-that he had
found himself suddenly confronted with the
necessity Of acting promptly in negotiation
Tor property for the proposed Catholic uui.
vgr>ity. tba. a bargain vas offered which bad
10 te promptly accepted or rejected, aud tRst
without. waiting 10 consult Cardinal Newman.
he had closed with The offer. The cardinal
Jealous of has iudigaity, It wss said. repuiiA-
tel tbr bargain, and dismissed NouSiguov
.f- H..