The Sun.
London, England, 1857-06-03 00:00:00

• ing argument against Popery—namely, that the
I thoroughly Papal countries are sinking in popula-
tion, enterprise and civilization, while Protestant
communities are doing everything that is done in
the world—our Roman Catholics always pointed to
Belgium, their one instance of freedom and pros
perity in conjunction with their creed. They told
us, what to a certain extent is true, that the Bel-
gians, while they yield in industry to no people in
Europe, and in enterprise to few, are yet not only
sincere, but even enthusiastic votaries of the Church.
The events of the last few days show how far they
were right and how far mistaken. That the Belgians
are good Catholics, and are likely to be nothing else,
we freely admit ; against the doctrine of the Roman
Church no class in the country is likely to protest ;
but against that aggressive and restless discipline,
that interference with families, with education,
with :the disposition of property, with the inten-
tions of the sick and the dying, the Belgians, like a
free and sensible people, have at length revolted.
We expect no reformation or theological secession ;
the nation will remain as firmly as ever attached
to its old creed, but it is not unlikely that from the
present time will date a period of reaction against
Ecclesiastical usurpation, and that the Crown and
the nation will be henceforth watchful to preserve
the administration of every department strictly
under the control of the State.
It is the old story of priestly influence using
liberal institutions for the advancement of its own
designs. Belgium, in this respect, as in many
others, is but the reflection of France. We all
know what in the last eight years have been the
achievements of the Ultromontane party. The in-
fluence of Rome has been added to the arms of
monarchy in combating free institutions in all the
countries where liberty had run into excess during
the commotions of 1848. In Belgium there had
been no democratic outbreak, and consequently
the reaction has been less decided. But Brussels
is too much a little Paris, and the provinces of
King Leopold are too much like French depart-
ments, for the influence not to have been deeply
felt. Ever since 1848 the efforts of the Ecclesias-
tical party have been unceasing, and their success
• has not beeu small The rural population of Bel-
gium, both the solid, sensible Fleming, and the
more imaginative and excitable Walloon, have
been brought under the influence of the only class
which speaks to them with earnestness and autho-
rity, and furthermore speaks to them constantly.
The Chamber has, year, by year, contained a
larger number of Ultromontane members ; journals
have been established to advocate the claims of the
hierarchy ; a Ministry has been formed strongly
prepossessed in favour of Ecclesiastical views, and
of late the supporters of the free institutions and
the secular policy which are the strength of Belgium
have found themzelves hard pressed by a faction the
opinions of which are better suited to the latitude of
Rome or Madrid. It is only a few months since
the University teaching which was not under the
authority of the Church was denounced, under the
pretence that it was impious, and inculcated doc-
trines hostile to morality and the State. From
these charges the professors, who were openly or
by implication attacked, convincingly defended
themselves. However, a majority in the Cham-
bers was gained, and this year it was determined
to attack the laws which placed the administration
of charity under State control. Now, the plea for
freedom of charity is specious enough. Why should
not a man leave money or lands to the ministers of
his own Church for such uses as he may direct or
they may determine ? But the common sense of
every independent people, even in the darkest ages,
has decided against allowing the irresolute, the
foolish, the superstitious, the sick, and the dying
to make over their worldly wealth into the hands
of Ecclesiastical advisers. Such a protection for
the widow and orphan has been judged necessary
by the jurisprudence of our own nation, and we
cannot but sympathise with the feelings which
established a similar obstacle to spiritual ambition
in the Belgian kingdom. But, urged on by priests
and peasantry, the majority of the Chamber de-
manded and voted a bill allowing full liberty of
donation and of bequest. This was too much for
the inhabitants of thetowns. Brussels and Antwerp
have long since seen that the course the clergy are
pursuing can end only in the destruction of Belgian
independence. The constitutional and national
party began to suspect a class of men who are
striving to bring the social and domestic life of the
country into analogy with that of despotic States
where the anathema of the priest has always aided
the bayonets of the Sovereign. The progress of
the bill was watched from the galleries with in-
terest which increased hourly. The people expressed
their feelings in the manner to which we once
became accustomed by reading the proceedings of
the. French Assembly. When it was certain that all
the efforts of the Opposition would be unavailing
slots broke out in Brussels, bands of men
paraded the streets, the priests were in-
sulted, and the convent windows broken. The
excitement spread to Antwerp, Mons, Liege,
Ghent, and other places. The King felt that it was
necessary to act resolutely, and his usual sagacity
did not forsake him. On the 30th of May he ad-
journed the Chambers indefinitely. Thus the bill
is lost without any specific rejection on his part.
The Ultromontane party is defeated in its most
cherished scheme--.that of becoming rich and, con-
consequently, independent of the State. But the
immediate effect is of less consequence than the
impression which will be permanently made on the
Belgian people. If these events rouse them to the
conviction that they, a small and threatened com-
munity of free men, must be ever on their guard
against principles which are only the precurmars of
despotic authority, the lesson taught by the Ultra-
montane attempt of 1.857 will not have been in
vain.