The Express.
London, England, 1860-04-12 00:00:00

THE GRAND MIRE OF BADEN AND THE
CATHOLIC CHURCH.

The following is the text of the proclamation
recently issued by the Grand Duke of Baden :

Frederic, by the Grace of God, am
At a grave moment, and one which inspires anxious doubts
in many minds, I make use of my finest prerogative, and
from the bottom of my beast I address words of peace to
my dear people. Regrettable differences with the chief
pastor of the -catholic church of this country had led me to
pave the way for an agreement by direct negotiations with
the Holy Bee. In acting thus I was animati.e.d:z
the sincere desireof substituting union for discord,
and peace and goodwill for mutual resentments.
After long and laborious negotiations a convention was
concluded which gave hopes that this object would
be attained. But I perceived to my deep mortification that
the convention which had just been concluded excited ap-
prehensions in the minds of a great part of my people, and
I could not refuse to take into venous consideration the
opinion of those who demanded that the advice of the con-
stitutional organs should be first taken.
The decision of the second chamber of my faithful states
gave to these demands an expression which foreboded •
fatal struggle between my government and the chambers.
The interest of the catholic church, not less than the good
of the country, require that such a struggle should
be prevented, and that the uncertainty as to legality
which would result from such a disagreement be-
tween the legislative powers should be avoided. It is
my firm will that the principle of the independence
of the catholic church, in the administration of its affairs,
should be fully applied. A law, placed under the protection
of the constitution, will guarantee • secure foundation for
the rights of the church. It ism that law and in the regu-
lations which will be subsequently appended to it that the
tenor of the concordat will find its legitimate expression.
In that manner my government will do justice to the rea-
sonable claims of the catholic church without swerving from
the constitutional path ; and the public law of the oountry,
coming out intact front • great trial, will receive • fresh
sanction. _ _

A duty which is equally clear obliges me to-day to speak
to the church to which I myself belong. While faithful
to the principles which ought to govern the rights of the
catholic church, I shall endeavour to give to the united
protestant evangelical church of the country the freest par
Ohio development in accordance with ha constitution. I
desire that the same principle may bear fruit in other
I.ratielleA of the state, in order that all the parte of the
whole may he united in a harmony without which mere
freedom by law is unproductive of beneficent power.
I now exhort the tried patriotic and civic spirit
of my people to forget all the differences which have
recently been occasioned, in order that the ennead
and the tolerance which Christian charity teaches all
may prevail between the different churches and their
adhervata. Many dangers may threaten our country.
Union alone gives strength. Let On resentment remain on
account of differences which should be a matter of the past,
and confide in a future which will hart no one, since it means
to he just to all.
Given at Carleruhe, April 7, 1860.
(Signed) FIULDIRTC.
(COUnteraigned) ST.Anr.I, LUDWIG, REISMIJN,
LANZ; VOGILIA ANN.