The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-03-10
ARCHBISHOP ON HECKERISM.
IRELAND TELLS WHAT THAT MUCH
TALKED OF DOCTRINE is.

Thinks Father Hecker Was Misun-
Observation-Disclosures That the Clergy
Must Hnve-Says He Is Not mimi
cal to the Religious Orders-Dur-
ing the War He Remembered He
was an northumberland Soon
to BE "A Cardinal.
London, March 1O-The Rome CORE
spondent of the Daily Chronicle telegraphs
the substance of an interview he has had
with Archbishop Ireland, in which the lat
ter explains his attitude toward "Hecker-
ISM" and his course during the Spanish
American war.
He describes Archbishop Ireland as hav-
ing the ''stern, benevolent face Of an
apostle" and as terribly in earnest re-
marking that the following colloquy may
be taken as a message to his friends and
reply to the neutrality-suspicious., which,
though unintentional, he considers dam
aging to great cause. The correspondent
continues:
Archbishop ireland expressed reluct-
ance to enter upon a discussion of deli
cate questions, which, as he observed, only
time can clear up, but he said he accepted
this opportunity to dispel wrong views and
to give in nutshell the maxims consid-
cred essential 20 the human working-out
church"
The archbishop then proceeded in this
wise:
Let me begin by disconnecting the new
word 'Heckerism.' / knew Father Hecker
well, and, like other great minds, he had
views peculiar TO himself. One of these
was the direct inspiration of the Holy
Ghost This apparently daring doctrine
meant little more than that Cody help is
not wanting to those displaying initiative.
| frequently told him he was ambiguous
and would be misunderstood, and this has
happened"
Archbishop ireland, proceeding to ex-
plain the Importance attached to the nat
ural virtues, said:
1--WE maintain. especially regarding the
clergy, that temperance and truthfulness,
for instance, are so necessary that they
cannot be replaced by any purely devo-
tional fidelity. An Incorporate priest ster-
lilies his mission. A priest who stretches
personal casuistry to prevarication and
mental reserve only justifies the enemies
of the church in affirmation which, though
false are heard far and wide.
The archbishop then warmly protested
against what he described as the ground
less charge that he is inimical to the ne
hgious orders. He said he believed there
was no nobler idea conceivable than the
nonastic vows but he objected to- pa
rochial or educational encroachments of
the regular clergy Chose Identified with
religious orders or bound by monastic
yows) upon the secular clergy Chose not
so identified or bound) The episcopacy and
its sub-hierarchy were, he said, the real
foundation of ecclesiastical work.
Referring to the attempts the Jesuits
had made in the United States to prevent
the establishment of the Catholic Univer-
sity at Washington he said: f
s'Thev wanted It themselves, but the
Pope pointedly warned me not TO allow
the American bishops to be caught in their
tolls. MY views on this subject are iden-
tical with the late Cardinal Manning's.
To insinuate that Americanism means
the transference of the religious orders
10 the melting pot is a calumny. They
have produced countless saints and have
their own exalted mission, but American
Catholicism requires a priesthood deeply
innbued with natural and civic virtues
With reference to the war, Archbishop
Ireland said:
Before Il broke out 1 was pro-Spanish,
but when hostlities commenced forgot
everything except that 1 was an American
citizen. Amounted to love and to serve my
country"
He could say nothing regarding the dis
armament congress. He might be one Of
two representatives, or there might be an
other and higher solution.
II am at the double service" he re-
marked, "of my spiritual Office and the
imperial citizenship"
ut would be impossible to reproduce the
flowing, sparkling French Of the ulustri-
Gus churchmen whose elevation TO The
cardinalate has only been adjourned by
the Pope illness"