The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-02-17
nm. m,eLrSy on sAroLlI.
A VERY striki.s Letter from The Rev. Dr.
Mcsweeney.

Mes een-y
To THE EDITOR or THE SUS-Sr: In his
recent article In the Forum DIR. McGlynn shows
very clearly. and. rs appears. truly. the causes
which induced Leo XIII. 20 establish the Apos-
tollc Delegation In the United States. He calls
the earlier ecclesiastical government OF our
country q benevolent paternal despotism."
Despotism Is defined by tormont as "a govern
ment with authority unlimited or uncontrolled
not necessarily. however. unjust. tyrannical or
unwnr-antable. Nor does DR.. McGiynn stig-
Matte II ss such. Ia his very temperate article
he merely states a fact known OF all men. a fact.
too. which is verified all through history. both
In Church and In State; that is. In the forma-
tive condition OF society. Just rs In the disturbed
time Of war. power 10 usually left In the hand OF
q dictator. Inter drmd silent l,Ots. Thus. too.
in our Territories the government i- monarchi-
cal to q grea, extent. But ecclesiastical colo
MES. like civil ones. and like individuals. sooner
or later reach their majority. customs which
have the force OF law are gradually formed. and
unrestrained monarchy becomes unsuitcd. and
therefore unjust, in the advanced state OF
OF settled customs: hence the right Of the ALSO
lutte monarch dwindles and fades as society
assumes more and more It's fixed form; II re-
mains for authority only to oversee and safe
guard the orderly course OF events.
This customs OF the Catholic Church are cry.s-
tallized under the name OF canon law, and the
object of the Councils OF Baltimore. was the
formulating of our local customs, and engraft.
usages Of the Church universal. DR.. McGlynn
talks of the Holy SEQ debating appropriate
Hesitation through the Councils OF Baitimors.'
IL 10 true the Holy See suggested the Councils.
drew up the schomdtd. with tho aid OF, chosen
American theoloRians, and proposed them for
deny that the Bishops rule. Of their own native
right, with the Pope. though subordinate to
him. IL II idle to AK what would have been
done had not the Pope INTERVIEWED. or when
needed transformation would have taken place
TIE ra.ssTs from psterhal de;potlsm y TO inc
of the Church Is mixed. and one, department
balances and supple. the possible neglect or
Al any rate. the Pope. having tested tho ex-
pedient Of priestly asscssors or Jltiicos cdusdrtun.
decided to establish an independent court of APP
means of securing the just execution OF the
law and securing the rIsh,; Of slsrIes and lsi.y
accumulated to 100 it was time 70 do 50.
order OF Ihincs can be expected to taks place
without pain aud travail" Nor can any cause
For him was appointed the honor OF carrying
the cross of this salvation through tho valley OF
The SHADOW OF death, ana as the prophets II
Justice. so those who come after Him must still
even unto death fight for justice" tEcelss. w..
cle,iastical. which are worse. Is there any
doubt that Dr. McGlynn. as ne was In al. prob
ain"i Manning and then Of Leo Kill Of
the ency clicai on the Rights OF Labor"
so by his suferings was the occasion OF he es-
tablishment of the reign Of law In the Church
government Of the United States Honor
enough, truly, for one man. He shall drink of
the head" And natural enough. too. when one
considers that he. n Roman by theological aud
philosophical training and priestly education.
should be the chief among those who called for
the spirit and the reign OF law. For this Ia the
manner OF the Romans. OF whose MI. Tables II
was said that they were written reason" and
propagandists, WIN on their arrival In the Eter-
nal City were handed n book containing the laws
OF the college and prescribing the manner Of APP
peal against possible injustice and told to DO
guided thereby. could not but ardently desire
the dawn'ng OF the day when a like " reasonable
service" would be the rule governing their
lives as missionary priests In this free republic.
EDWARD MCSwEESY.
MOUNT ST. MARY's. Feb. IL.