On Sunday a circular letter from Cardinal Vaughan was read
out in all the churches in the dioceses of Westminster and Southwark, dealing with the Declaration and Oath of Accession. He points out that the Declaration is not only insulting to all Roman Catholics, both within the Empire and without, but also to all members of the Greek and Eastern Communions. He therefore asks the Roman Catholics in all parts of the King's dominions to take such constitutional steps as may lead the Legislature to recognise how cruel and unwise it is to mar the joyful and loyal devotion felt by twelve millions of Roman Catholics on the accession of the lawful heir to the throne. As we have said before, while wishing most earnestly to retain to the full the Protestant character of the Monarchy, we detest the notion of using in. suiting language in regard to any portion of the Roman Catholic creed. We do not insult the religious views of any other nonconforming body, and ought not to insult those of the Roman Catholics.
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