FATHER HECKER AND AMERICANISM.
[TO THE EDITOR OP THE " SPECTATOR."] Sre,—In the article on "Americanism and the Papacy" in the Spectator of April 1st, the writer states that Cardinal Gibbons in his letter repudiates "the theory of so-called Americanism as interpreted 6y Father Becker," thus implying that it was against the opinions of Father Hecker that the Pope's late letter was directed. Will you allow me to point out that this is not at all the case '1 The Holy Father most carefully avoids the least word of condemnation of Father Hecker or his per- sonal opinions. He does not even criticise the Life of the latter, as written by Father Elliott ; but, while referring more directly to its French version, speaks of the controversies to which it has given rise, and blames certain opinions which more extreme partisans have advocated. Like many another imposing personality, Father Hecker has had disciples, more" zealous than discreet, who have, at any rate in appearance, exaggerated the views of their master, and, which is stilt more unfortunate, made use of them as weapons of aggression. But this is no reason why a noble reputation should be misunder- stood or misrepresented. Father Hecker was, all his Catholic life, a model of loyal and manly submission to what he regarded as the highest religious authority on earth, and, for the sake of your very numerous and sympathetic Catholic readers, I raise a protest against words which might lead some who have not carefully studied the matter to believe that Father Hecker was struck by the recent Papal utterance.
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