The Sun.
London, England, 1867-12-03 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TIJESIAY EVENING, DECEMBER 3, 1867.

THE ROMAN QUESTION.

Subjoined are various diplomatic documents
respecting the Roman question, taken from the
Yellow Book just issued by the French Govern-

ment :
The Minister for Foreign Affairs to the French
Charge d'Affaires at Rome.
(Telegram.)

Paris, Oct. 17.—Let the Pontifical Government
continue to defend itself energetically. The assis-
tance of France will not fail it.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs to the French
Charge at Florence.

Paris, Oct. 18.—Monsieur,--In presence of the
attack made by the revolutionary bands upon the
Pontifical territory, I have considered it my duty
to place you immediately in a position to inform
Rattazzi that the Emperor is greatly concerned
at the inefficacy of the efforts of the Italian Go-
vernment to prevent these attacks, and I forwarded
to you my telegram of the 11th inst. with this
object. I have also communicated to M. Nigra
his Majesty's uneasiness, and I have not concealed
from the Italian Minister that in case the Florence
cabinet should admit itself powerless to maintain
respect for the convention of September, Art. I.
of which has precisely the object of placing the
Pontifical frontier beyond all attack, we should
find ourselves in the painful necessity of supplying
the protection panting to the Holy See.—MousnEß.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs to the French
Charge at Florence.
(Telegram.)

Paris, Oct. 19.--The King's Government has
informed us it is determined to carry out the Con-
vention. Let it give proofs of this resolution by
immediately suppressing the enlistment offices, by
dissolving the aid committees, and issuing a pro-
clamation that all volunteers shall be arrested,
disarmed, and interned. See M. Rattazzi, and
reply at once.
The French Charge at Florence to the Minister
for Foreign Affairs.
(Telegram.)

Florence, Oct. 20.—M. Rattazzi placed his re-
signation in the King's hands this evening. He
will not receive, so he tells me, his Majesty's reply
until to-morrow. Henceforth he considers himself
as having resigned, and cannot enter into any
engagement. He denies the existence of enlistment
offices ; declares it is impossible for him to dissolve
the aid committees, and that a proclamation to
announce the arrest and disarmament of the
volunteers is superfluous, in presence of the loyal
disposition of the Government, and the repressive
measures it does not cease to adopt.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs to the French
Charge at Rome.
(Telegram.)
_ _ _

Paris, Oct. 20.—We have fresh reasons for
hoping that the Italian Government is about at last
to take decisive measures to put an end to the in-
vasion of the Pontifical States. Let them continue
at Rome to give proofs of vigilance and energy.
The French Government, upon its part, is always
ready to act if it should become really necessary.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs to the French
Charge at Florence.
(Telegram.)

Paris, Oct. 22.—The Pontifical authorities upon
the frontier inform M. Armand that a park of
artillery with cavalry and infantry are collecting
in Sabina, towards Magliano and Correse, upon
Italian territory, and that Garibaldians are marching
in the same direction parallel with the royal
troops. Endeavour to ascertain as soon as possible
what accuracy there may be in these statements.
The French Charge at Florence to the Minister
for Foreign Affairs.
(Telegram.)

Florence, Oct. 22.—1 have been to M. Rattazzi,
to whom I warmly and firmly insisted upon Gari-
baldi's arrest. M. Rattazzi, althaugh having sent
in his resignation, appeared perfectly to under-
stand the reasons I thought it my duty to offer in
support of this step. He went to the King, and
has just told me orders were about to be given to
arrest Garibaldi, who left Florence immediately
after his speech, on the way, it is thought, to
Foligno. The Government explains the concen-
tration of troops, of which your Excellency speaks,
by orders previously given in view of an occu-
pation by the Italians of the States of the Church.
Rattazzi assures me that 1,200 volunteers have
repass4d the frontier, and that orders have been
sent to disarm them. They are reported to be
discouraged, and to have been beaten in every en-
counter.

The French Charge at Florence to the Minister

for Foreign Affairs.
(Telegram.)

Florence, Oct. 24.—The members intended to
form a portion of the new Cabinet have not yet
been able to agree upon several points of their
political programme. General Cialdini has ex-
pressed to me his fear of being unable to subdue
the popular impulse. This apprehension seems to
me to have much influence upon his resolutions.
Ile hesitates to assume the responsibility of power.
The Ministerial crisis continues. Garibaldi is re-
ported to have succeeded in crossing the frontier,
the orders of arrest having been evaded, or found
impossible to execute. lie is said4o be now at the
head of bands stated at about 5,000 strong.

The French Charge at Florence to the Minister
for Foreign Affairs.

Florence, Oct. 25.—M. le Marquis,—M. Rat-
tazzi has chosen to persist up to the last moment in
the policy he has followed since his entry into
power, especially since the prorogation of Parlia-
ment and the avowed preparations of the revolu-
tionists to attack the Holy See. All his efforts have
constantly tended to indulge the advanced party.
Thus it was only with hesitation; and when
constrained, so to speak, by 'public opinion, that he
gave the order for Garibaldi's arrest. This step
immediately received the approbation of the majo-
rity of the country. Although to-day it would
have had the important results expected if it had
been frankly executed, and if from weakness or
some other motive the Cabinet had not consented
to leave Garibaldi free at Caprera. Dating from
that day the preparations for invasion were rapidly
resumed; the papers published proclamation after
proclamation, signed by Garibaldi and his chief
officers. Moveable enlistment offices were estab-
lished everywhere, and propaganda was actively
made to excite the public mind, and urge the
young to the frontier. It was thus that the Gari-

baldian volunteers succeeded in organizing them

selves in bands, in attacking various points of the
Pontifical territory, and in attempting to arouse
the country. Everywhere repulsed, these bands
nevertheless continued to re-fohn under shelter
of the lines guarded by the Italian army. The fall
of the Rattazzi ministry added to the confusion.
In the midst of these difficulties, and during this
absence of government, we learnt with surprise
Garibaldi's escape, his arrival upon the mainland,
then suddenly his presence in Florence, where he
pronounced one of his most furious harangues be-
fore a considerable crowd. Afterwards this pri
soner, who was guarded by seven ships of war at
Caprera, was seen to take a spocial train for Terni,
and arrive there without experiencing the slight' st
hindrance from the authorities. The orders of ar-
rest fol.-wailed to the prefects of Fo!igno and of
Terni rentained une:,_:2euted on ac•count, it is pre-
tended, or Lhe rapil march of Garibaldi, who soon
gaiiwd the frontier, and put himself at the head
of the united bands of Menotti and some other
chiefs. The Cabinet that has resigned, which still
however continues its functions, and meets every
day several times, under the presidency of M.
Rattazzi, says it has no longer the right to take any
steps, while General Cialdini, having no organized
administration, declares upon his part it is im-
possible for him to act. This abnormal and peril-
ous situation still prevails. The character and
position of General Cialdini might have justified
the hope of prompt and energetic measures of
order. Unfortunately, in two interviews I have
had with him, I am forced to state with regret that
he has not hitherto appeared decided to suppress
the revolutionary movement with energy, and it
is necessary to know the men who will be called
upon to give him their support before pronouncing
upon the line of conduct he will adopt.---Receive,
&c., LA •VILLESTREI:X.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs to the French

Charge a Florence.
(Telegram.)

Paris, Oct. 25.—The nature of the conversations
you have had with General Cialdini has caused me
a warm feeling of surprise and regret. There is
at present only one question. Italy has under-
taken solemn engagements towards us ; does she
mean to keep them? Her honour and her interests
are involved. It is not by hesitation and indulgence
towards the revolutionary party, but in repressing
it energetically and immediately, that the Italian
Government will secure its good relations with
France, as well as its own prestige and authority.
From what you tell me it is unfortunately clear
that the Cialdini ministry will not succeedin con-
stituting itself, and after that we must see what
is to be done.

The French Charge at Florence to the Minister for
Foreign Affairs.
(Telegram.)

Florence, Oct. 26.—General Cialdini this morn-
ing declined the task of forming a Cabinet. It is
not known whom the King will now send for, but
it is thought his Majesty will summon General
Menabrea.

The French Charge at Rome to the Minister for
Foreign Affairs.

(Telegram.)

Rome, Oct. 26.—There has been no attempt at a
movement in Rome since Tuesday. Yesterday,
however, discovery was made of a quantity of
arms and munitions, and of sixty Garibaldians who
had made their way into Trastevere. Sixteen of
their number were killed, the remainder wounded
and taken prisoners. Outside Rome the forward
movement of the Garibaldian columns is becoming
marked. Upon the north an attack upon Bag-
norea was repulsed yesterday upon tho north-east
numerous bands freely cross the frontier, and march
upon Viterbo ; upon the south the corps of Nicotera
is encamped at eight kilometres from Frosinone ;
upon the east, a telegram from Florence announces
that Monte Rotondo has been taken, but nothing
is known of the fate of the garrison. It is certain
that a numerous body of Garibaldians have taken
up a position in advance of that town at twenty
kilometres from Rome ; not more than 1,000 Ponti-

ficals can be sent against them. Although ex-
hausted by fatigue, the army will do its duty to the
end ; nevertheless, even the calmest minds are be-
coming uneasy.

The French Charge at Florence to the Minister for
Foreign Affairs.
(Telegram.)

Florence, Oct. 28.—General Menabrea has de-
finitively formed his ministry. Henceforth it is
permitted to hope that the members of the Cabinet,
well known for energy and true patriotism, will
desire to enter frankly upon a course more confor-
mable to the engagements of the country.
ThelSame to the Same.
(Telegram.)

Florence, Oct. 28.—General Menabrea informs
me that the new Cabinet enters into power with
the firm intention of proving to the Emperor's Go-
vernment that it intends loyally to execute the
engagements undertaken by Italy. It has issued a
proclamation it believes calculated to leave no
doubt upon this point. It is about to take severe
measures against the recruitment, the organization,
and the passage of the volunteers across the frontier.
It hopes that these arrangements will have the
effect of causing the majority of those now upon
Pontifical territory to return.

PASTORAL LETTER OF THE ARCHBISHOP
OF WESTMINSTER.

The following is a Pastoral Letter of the Right
Rev. Dr. Manning, Archbishop of Westminster :
To the Clergy, Secular and Regular, and the
Faithful of the said Diocese.
Health and Benediction in the Lord.

Rev. and dear Brethren, and dear Children in
Jesus Christ,—By command of the Sacred Congre-
gation we make known to you the decision of the
Iloly See, given on the 6th of August last, on the
question whether it be permitted to Catholic pa-
rents to send their sons to the national universities
of this country. In order to make the subject more
clearly understood, it will be well to relate in a few
words how this question has arisen.
About five years ago, when changes in the law
had thrown open the national universities• to Ca-
tholics, a proposal was made for the founding of
a Catholic college in Oxford. The subject was
referred to the bishops, who unanimously decided,
first, that the founding of such a college could not
be sanctioned, and secondly, that Catholic parents
ought to be in every way dissuaded from sending
their sons to Protestant universities.

This decision was approved by the Holy See, and
was published by the bishops in England in March,
1865.

Nevertheless, this act of authority did not suffi-
ciently reach, it would seem, the knowledge of
the laity. And some were still under the misap-
prehension that the holy See had not disapproved
the practice of Catholics frequenting the universi-
ties.

In order to correct this misapprehension the
bishops again treated of the question at their
meeting in Low Week of this year. They were
unanimous in confirming their decision in 1865, and
were of opinion that the decision was already so
strong and explicit as to render any further decla-
ration on their part unnecessary. But inasmuch as
doubts and misunderstandings had existed, they
resolved on two points—first, that a fuller and
more general publication of their former decision
should be made to the faithful; and secondly, that
the clergy should be enjoined, with obligation of
conscience, to dissuade by all means any Catholic
parents who might be tempted to send their sons to
the universities.

This resolution was approved by the Holy See in
the month of August last, and a letter was ad-
dressed to the bishops by the Cardinal Prefect of
the Sacred Congregation, from which the following
words are taken :

" You will clearly explain in your Pastoral Let-
ter the doctrine of the Church about avoiding the
dangers of mortal sin ; to which no one without
grievous sin can expose himself, unless under the
pressure of serious and adequate necessity, and
unless such precautions be employed as may remove
the proximate danger of sin. In the present case,
where, as his Holiness has declared, those who
frequent the universities incur an intrinsic and
most grievous danger to purity of morals, as well
as to faith (which is absolutely necessary to salva-
tion), who can fail to see that it is next to impos-
sible to discover circumstances which would allow
Catholics without sin to attend non-Catholic uni-
versities ?

" The light and unstable minds of youth ; the
errors which in such institutions are imbibed,
almost through the atmosphere, without being
counteracted by more solid doctrine ; the very
great power which human respect and the taunts
of companions exercise upon young men ; lead them
so readily and so immediately into the danger of
falling, that generally no sufficient reason can be
conceived why young men should be entrusted to
these universities. Such being the case, you in
your wisdom will so use the arguments of autho-
rity and reason in publishing the letter, that it
may at length be clearly seen, as well by all the
clergy as by the faithful, what it is their duty to
think and to do in this most grave matter."

The Sacred Congregation in these words enjoins
us to explain to the faithful the sin of exposing
our youth to the danger of losing or of weakening
their faith. •

Now faith is a grace of the Holy Spirit, and
therefore a supernatural gift of God. It is infused
into us in Baptism together with hope and charity,
and it consists in a spiritual habit which heals the
wound inflicted by original sin upon the intellect,
and assists it to believe the revelation of super-
natural truth. This grace or gift of God is vital
to our salvation. As the body without the soul is
dead, so the soul without faith is dead likewise.
The Council of Trent describes the working of
actual grace, whereby the adult is brought step by
step to desire the regeneration of Baptism. The
catechumen, in coming to b 3 baptised, is asked
what he seeks of the Church of God. Ile answers,
Faith. This faith is infused into hi soul by Bap-

tism. It is the first of the three theological vir-
tues ; that is, of the three spiritual habits infused
into the soul by the Holy Ghost, whereby it is
united with God. The Council then declares that
faith is " the beginning of the salvation of man,
the foundation and root of all justification."
In this we see its inestimable worth. It is a
gift of God and therefore beyond our natural reach
and powers. It is vital to our union with God, and
therefore to eternal life. It is a grace of the
Holy Ghost, and therefore of a delicate and sensi-
tive nature, needing all fidelity and watchfulness
to preserve it inviolate. It is " the beginning of
our salvation ;" for without faith it is impossible
to please God ; that is, to know Him as He has
revealed Himself to us, and therefore to love Him
as we ought. It is the foundation of all justifica-
tion, because the charity of God is poured forth
only into hearts where faith is. It is the root
of our justification, because hope and charity spring
from it, and are nurtured by it to our sanctifi-
cation in justice. It is faith which gives us light
to know God, His truth and His will, His revela-
tion and His kingdom. It acts in the soul by
four new intellectual gifts, which fill the soul with
a speculative and practical knowledge of God. It
bestows upon the soul certain intuitions and in-
stincts, by which it is united and conformed to the
truth and will of God. The gifts of intellect and
wisdom, of science and counsel, all depend for their
exercise upon the habit of faith. Between the
soul illuminated by faith and the truths of re-
velation there is a conformity and a correspon-
dence which may be called a sympathy and a
harmony, so that when the doctrines of the
Church are proposed to a soul illuminated by the
virtue of faith, they are received with a predispo-
sition that is a promptness and a piety of heart.
This is true of all the faithful. It is true of the
child, whose mind first opens to the truths of the
Creed. It is true of the theologian, studying re-
velation as a science. Let it be observed that we
are speaking of faith not as the matter of our be-
lief, but as the spiritual habit of the soul, by which
we are moved to believe. Now in both these
senses it is a gift of God and a grace of the Holy
Ghost, the most precious because the most vital to
our whole spiritual life. It were better for us
never to have received it than to lose it. It were
better for us to die than to run voluntarily into the
danger of losing it.
The grace of faith may be lost, just as the grace
of humility, sincerity, and purity, and the like.
Every grace may be lost by the sin which is oppo-
site to its nature. Any mortal sin will destroy
sanctifying grace. A mortal sin of charity expels
the love of God from the soul ; a mortal sin of
despair extinguishes hope ; a mortal sin of unbelief
destroys faith.
Now there are two ways in which this may be
done—the one is by destroying in the soul its
belief of the Catholic truths and doctrines one by
one ; the other is by weakening and paralysing
the habit of faith. We are all promptly aware

of the sin and danger of tampering with Catholic

doctrines ; but many are not equtfly alive to the
danger of exposing the habit of faith to in-

fluences contrary to its nature and to its vitality.
Faith gives to the soul a certain intensity, cer-
tainty, and firmness in believing, and in adhering
to the objects believed. St. Paul describes this
power of faith as enabling us to look, " not at
the things which are seen, but to the things which
are not seen," and to see " Him who is invisible ;"
and he defines faith to be " the substance of
things hoped for," that is, it makes them tangible
and palpable, as if they were objects of sense.
Dear brethren and children in Jesus Christ,
you will need no words to remind you how vividly
a Catholic child is penetrated by this habit and
illumination of faith, and how, as the reason and
heart unfold in the atmosphere and light of the
Catholic Church, this consciousness of the pre-
sence of God iu the world and all its operations,
in the Church and all its endowments, in the
Blessed Sacrament and all its graces, of the whole
faith with all its realities, becomes more certain
and controlling than the objects of sense. You
carefully and jealously guard and nourish your
faith by every help which can sustain and perfect
it. You make it a conscience to turn aside, as if
blind and deaf, from all solicitations to doubt, and
from all persons or influences which can chill or
cloud, weaken or paralyse, the habit of faith in
your hearts. Anything which could make it less
firm, less certain, less intense, you would regard
in
.the highest degree as a danger. To expose
yourselves willingly to it you would know to be a
sin. On this principle you test books, friends, in-
timacies. What ybu cannot avoid you meet with
an attitude of self-defence ; what you can avoid,
you feel bound in duty and prudence for your
own sake, in fidelity and gratitude to our Divine
Redeemer, tolfly from with all vigilance and self-
denial. The rule you lay down for yourselves
you every day apply all the more carefully to
your children, because you know them to be less
able to protect themselves than you are—less
mature, more flexible, more unstable.

Now, though the grace of faith may be des-
troyed only by its proper opposite, that is of un-
belief, yet the firmness, certainty, intensity, the
intuitions, the instincts, the sensitiveness, the deli-
cacy of faith may be destroyed by intellectual
and moral opposites which fall far short of uube-

lief. Criticism, curiosity, rashness in questioning,
objecting, and speculating, self-onfidence, con-
ceit, dependence on self, adhesion to private judge-
ment, ridicule, sarcasm, satire, levity and mocking,
the penetrating and secret influence of cultivated
un-Catholic minds, much more of sceptical and
rationalistic minds—all these act powerfully in
the country to enfeeble and to paralyse the faith of
Catholics. There are three chief agencies which
act with immense power and subtilty upon our
faith in England : public opinion, the press, and
Protestant education. The last is the most dan-
gerous, because is the most creative, and acts upon
the minds of our people at an age when they are
least able to resist it. Of all the forms of edu-
cation in this country hostile to the habit of faith,
none can be conceived so powerful, so subtile, so
fascinating, and so assimilating as the system of
our national universities. Many are fully alive
to the dangers which threaten the morals of youth
in systems so lax and undisciplined, but the dan-
ger to faith is still more menacing and inevitable.
Let it be always borne in mind that it is not only
infidelity, or rationalism, or scepticism, or partial
unbelief that we have to guard against. We are
bound to protect our youth from everything that
can enfeeble the vigour and vitality of their faith,
or dim the intuitions, or deaden the instincts of
their intellect and their conscience. There would
be a terrible future before us, if the Catholic men
of the next generation were to grow up acclima-

tised to the latitudinarianism or indifferentism of
public opinion, or toned down to the lowest] stan-
dard of necessary Catholic doctrine. Such inevi-
tably would be the state in which, if any escape,
the greater part of our Catholic youth would_come
forth from our national universities.

We therefore, in obedience to the Holy See,
enjoin you, reverend and dear brethren, to use
your utmost endeavours to restrain Catholic
parents, if any indeed be found, desirous of
sending their sons to the national universities. On
you as their teachers and guides this duty is im-
posed with strict obligation of conscience. And
your pastoral care will vigilantly watch over thoso
who are in danger of being misled or fascinated by
public opinion, or fashion, or unwise counsel in this
matter. You will labour to train your flocks ac-
cording to the maxim of St. Ignatius, not only to
believe and to love with the Church, but to think
and to feel in accordance with its mind and

spirit. From you they will learn to prize the
sensitive and filial faith of a Catholic, as seven-
fold more precious than intellectual culture and

worldly advantages. No intellectual gain would

compensate for the loss not of faith indeed, but of
the instincts, intuitions and delicate fidelity of a

Catholic spirit. Over these you will watch with

vigilance, and warn all, both parents and sons, of
the peril and sin of voluntarily exposing to risk
this great grace of our regeneration.

It is no doubt true that a fuller and more pro -
onged course of higher studies, under the guid-

- -
ante of the Catholic Church, is needed by our

youth. And this we may confidently expect the
Catholic Church in England will provide. Fifty
years ago it had hardly a college in England. In
fifty years it has formed six greater and seven
lesser colleges, as well as a whole system of
schools for the poor. Every year adds to the ex-
tent, maturity, and excellence of the studies. The
sap is rising, and the old tree is throwing out once
more the full spread of its branches. It is only a
question of time when the University in Ireland
shall obtaiu its full recognition, and an university
in England be founded. The arch is ready to re-
ceive
,its keystone. Fifty years ago who would
have ventured to believe what we see at this day
in our multitude of colleges and schools? Fifty
years hence Catholics will look back in like man-
ner upon us. We must be firm and zealous in
our day, as our predecessors were, and posterity
will complete our beginnings.
May every good and perfect gift from the Father
of Lights be with you, to guide you in the way of
truth.

Given at Westminster and ordered to be read
in all churches and chapels of the diocese on the
Sunday before Advent, 1867.
4. HENRY EDWARD,
ARCHBISHOP OF WESTMINSTER.

been living in rather an anxious state for some
weeks. Now that the Garibaldians have been so
thoroughly beaten, I do not think they will ever
attempt to come to Rome again. The position of
the Pope has of course been immensely improved
by the way things have turned out. It still seems
very doubtful how matters will end in Italy, and
everyone expects a revolution. Rome, however, is
quite safe ; as we have enough French to defend it,
or even to carry on war, if the Italians are foolish
enough to go to war with France. lam delighted
to see such enthusiasm everywhere for the Zouaves,
for they have really turned out well and fought
admirably. Their numbera are increasing every
day, and we have now nearly three thousand. At
present there are two thousand prisoners, and
among them nearly two hundred who are wounded,
who have been brought into Rome. They have
established a hospital for them at St. Onofrio. Our
own wounded are likewise about two hundred, so
that there is plenty to do still. I went with X and
Z to-day to Monte Rotondo to see some of the
wounded Garibaldians who could not be brought
into Rome. They are, however, doing well, and
have been to confession. The horrors that were
committed in the church were awful. They de-
stroyed everything, covered the altars with filth,
and the Tabernacle was broken open. One man
who was killed in the battle was found with the
lunette of the monstrance, with the Blessed Sacra-
ment in it ; and on others were found bits of
ciboriums or chalices that had been broken up.
Fortunately, this has all come to an end, and except
the prisoners, there is not a single Garibaldian in
the Pontifical States."

" Nov. 14.—We have had a terrible time of it
lately, and if the French had not intervened we
should probably have all been massacred. At least,
it was the holy intention of the Garibaldians to
massacre all the priests, and sack all the churches.
Garibaldi was at Monte Rotondo with 10,000 men.
Viterbo, Velletri, and Tivoli were occupied by
Garibaldians. Their plan was to make a rendezvous
at Rome, to meet at the gates at the same time.
Most of the barracks had been undermined, and
under them were barrels of gunpowder. In every
quarter of Rome were concealed a vast number of
arms—guns, pistols, daggers, hatchets, Orsini
bombs. The guards of one of the gates had been
bought over. All the worst characters in Rome
'had been bribed, so that when the Garibaldians
were outside an insurrection was to have been got
up inside Rome. Fortunately, the French came in
just in time to save us. Our escape has been quite
providential. It is true that our little army has
behaved admirably, but it could not have saved us.
As it was, they were obliged to leave all the pro-
vinces in the hands of the Garibaldians. The Roman
question is that which God alone can settle, as He
has done on this occasion. He moved Napoleon to
intervene, and his troops arrived only just in time ;
SO I think He will direct events in such a manner
that all will come right in the end."