IRELAND. (From the Times' Correspondent.) Archbishop Murray's Successor.

New Zealander, Volume 8, Issue 660, 11 August 1852, Page 3

IRELAND. (From the Times' Correspondent.) Archbishop Murray's Successor.

Dublin, Saturday Morning, April 3.—Ultramontanism has head a signal triumph in the nomination, by a sweeping majority, of Primate Cullen to fill the archiepiscopal chair of Duhlin, in succession to the mild and tolerant prelate who, for a long period of .30 years, ruled over the diocese as a pastor should rule, and who, by a rare union of firmness tempered, with charity towards all sects, never, it may be safely said, made a personal enemy. The election of Archbishop Murray s successor took place yesterday, in the Metropolitan Church, Marlborough-street. The event had been looked forward to with much interest, not only by the clergy and laity of the Komon Catholic persuasion, but by all moderate persons of the opposite creed, who felt how much - tie future peace of the country depended upon the issue then to be decided. Speculation had

been busy with the names of many dignitaries and clergymen of the Roman Catholic church who were said to be aspirants to the honours and rank of the vacant episcopacy. Among _ the names most prominently mentioned, those of the Very Rev. Dean Meyler, the Rev. Dr. Miley, President of the Irish College in Paris; the Rev. Dr. Kerby, President of the Irish Colledge at Rome (in which office he succeeded Archbishop Cullen); Rev. William Meagher, P.P., Rathmines; Rev. Dr. Dixon, Professor of Theology, St Patrick's College, Maynooth; Rev. Peter Cooper, D.D.; Rev. Laurence Dunne, P.P., Castledermott, &c. At ten o'clock the Roman Catholic Metropolitan Chapel was thrown open, and was soon filled in every part, about half of the nave having been railed in for the priests who were to take part in the election. The building, which had been hung all over with black cloth and emblems of since the death of Dr. Murray, this morning presented its usual appearance, all the sable draperies having been removed in the course of last night, and the high and side alter fitted up in the usual style, with lighted wax tapers, candelabra, &c. Soon after half-past 10 the procession of clergy entered the choir from the sacristy, where they took their places. The Right Rev. Dr. Hal y, 'of Kildare; Right Rev. Dr. Murphy, of Ferns ; and the Right Rev. Dr. Walsh, of 'Ossory, occupied seats near the high altar. High mass having been celebrated, i the laity were requested to leave the chapter, and by 12 o'clock the spacious edifice had been completel)'- cleared of its occupants, excepting the ecclesiastics who were qualified to take part in the election. It was understood that the total number of parish priests and canons, members of the chapel, entitled to vote at the election of a diocesan in Dublin is at present 54. A table I was placed in front of the choir, on which stood a chalice, in which it was understood the votes would Jbe deposited, as the name of the person voting and of him for whom he desired to vote were written on slips of paper by the voter. After the expiration of the time allowed for any additional votes to come in, the election closed, and a scrutiny took place, the result of which was as follows : — Primate Cullen (Dignissimus) 23 Very Rev. Dean Meyler (Difjnior) 9 Rev. L. Dunne, P.P., Castlcdermott {Dignus) 8 Rev. William Meaghcr, P.P., Rathmines 5 Rev. Dr. O'Hanlen, Maynooth 3 Rev. Dr. Russell, Maynooth 2 Rev. Dr. Miley, President Irish College, Paris, 1 The record of the proceedings was then duly signed and attested by the presiding bishop and officers of the chapter, and will be at once transmitted to the Court of Rome to receive its sanction. A copy will also be supplied to each of the bishops of the diocese, in order that they may, according to the usual practice, transmit to the Pope their several opinions or recommendations of the highest three on the li&t. Of the above seven candidates three, namely, Drs. Cullen, Russell, and Miley, are of the Ultramontane school; the other are said to be men of moderate views, both as regards religious and political questions, The three [suffragan bishops will at once meet to forward to the Holy See their opinion and recommendation of the candidates. The result of their deliberation will not, however, be suffered to transpire. Of the suffragans, two, Drs. Haly and Walsh, are notoriously opposed to the extreme party in the Roman | Catholic church ; and the third, Dr. Murphy, is said to have a leaning towards the liberal side; so there is a chance, though but a faint one, that the "recommemdation" of these prelates should it be favourable to the second or third name on the list, may induce the sovereign Pontiff to pause before he confirms the nomination of Primate Cullen. The Tablet, as the mouthpiece of the intolerants, is, of course, in high feather at this decisive triumph of bigotry over moderation. In the number of this day the organ thus chaunts a psean : This remov.il of the papal interference which so highly wounded the susceptibilities of our Whig patrens beyond the water, will, we are sure, give to them the most heartfelt satisfaction. To have Dr. Cullen a mera norn nee of the Pope in Armagh was painful to them beyond desciiption; but to have the same Primate removed to Dublin by the Holy See, in obedience to the domestic postulation of the Dublin clergy, will make all right again; and if it should happen that on the postulation of the Armagh clergy Dr. O'Hanlon should take Dr. Cullen's place, the satisfaction of Lords Clarendon and John Russell will be doubly augmented and intensified. What would put the seal upon this general gratulation -would be for the Supreme Pontiff to ratify still more emphatically the principle of domestic postulation, by crowning Dr CulJen, when appointed Archbishop of Dublin, with the office and dignity of perpetual delegate of the Apostolic See. Some say that this dignity has already been conferred ; and we incline to think that this is the more probable opinion ; hut it will be felt no doubt, as a pleasing net of deference to the English Government if the publication of the dignity should be deferred until the possessor shall be put (according to heretical ideas) en regie, by the postulation now taking place, and the appointment of him on whom the dignity is conferred to be the successor of Dr. Murray. Lord Lansdowne was pleased to say a few nights ago that, with regard to the working of the National Schools, a great deal would depend on who should be Dr. Murray's successor. For the reasons we have now stated, there can be no question that Lord Lansdowne's fondest wishes will be most amply fulfilled by the selection of Dr. Cullen. All this is well enough, coming from the organ of the bigots; but the public were hardly prepared to hear the Nation, the ci-devant champion of *' Liberalism"— " infidelity," Dr. M'Hale calls it — speak of Cullen's nomination as teaching " a signal lesson to their superior English in Ireland;" and as signifying that " the Irish church can be no longer intrigued with ;" that "no State alliance can henceforward fetter its independence ;" that " the era of ecclesiastical courtship 1 is at an end," and that "that religion, which English malice endeavoured to degrade, stands in firm opposition to its power and hatred, freed from fatal friendships, strong against inveterate fanaticism."