THE LONDON PROTESTANT PRESS ON THE GLADSTONE AND NEWMAN CONTROVERSY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 108, 22 May 1875, Page 12

THE LONDON PROTESTANT PRESS ON THE GLADSTONE AND NEWMAN CONTROVERSY.

The '.Pall Mall Gazette ' is one of the most talented of the Metropolitan journals. It is liberal even, to the verge of rationalistic views in religious matters, and certainly no friend to the Catholic Church. Yet it lias formally delivered judgment in favour of Dr. Newman. The bulk of Dr. Newman's countrymen entertain an admiration for his intellectual gifts, only second to their veneration for his moral and spiritual character. Englishmen, he further observes, would have believed on Dr Newman's simple assurance that there was notMng in the Vatican decraes inconsistent with the civil allegiance of Bonian Catholics. But when that assurance is conveyed in such a document as his published letter to the Duke of Norfolk, marked with dignity, moderation, antique simplicity, transparent honesty and candor, it must carry conviction to every imparted mind. Had Mr Gladstone's celebrated Expostulation done no other service to the Church but elicit Dr Newman's pamphlet and the ' Pall Mall Gazette's" judgment upon it, -we should have been thankful. But it will do more good yet. The 'Pall Mall Gazette' further adds tliat Mr. Gladstone's pamphlet was instinct in every line with popular prejudice and passion ; while Dr. Newman's letter breathes throughout a spirit of philosophic moderation. "In a word the statesman "he says " has written like a narrow-minded and bitter sectary ; and the ecclesiastic has answered him like an enlightened statesman." The impression made on the Protestant mind of England in. favor of Catholic principles by this controversy, now th-it both sides have been put before them must Tbe great beyond all reckoning. It would be well for the Catholic press and non-official defenders of the Catholic catise generally, if they would copy in their writings or speeches the moderation, candour, and cliarity which mark Dr. Newman's letter to the Duke of Norfolk. The bulk of Englishmen are reasonable and just in their sentiments in spite of their sordid prejudices against the Catholic religion. We must remember that these prejudices are not without excuse. In former ages when power was in the hand of English Catholics it -was too often abused for fclie worst of ends — for purposes the most unjust and cruel. It is no good in answer to say that Protestants were as bad or worse. Protestants are now, and have long been in the ascendant ; self-interest leads the press and others to conceal their past faults, and it is natural enough. N. B.