The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-11-08


great political revolution was preceded by religious
excitement of some sort-eilher schism or feyi-
vel. Bot il would be pbsurd to take the symptoms
for the malady. They merely show that the elc-
ments are at work, as bubbles rising TO the surface
show that the water is beginning TO boil--but are
quickly absorbed by the first historical catastrophe.
There il mass of floating intellect IN Germany
which, from the political compression OF the country
has no room for healthy exercise and finally reacts
upon itself The political siagnation OF so educated
people as the Germans must necessarily produce
metaphysical hatulency, which is relieved by ,he
creation Of new sects in religion and philosophy;
but the great mass of the German people have
other objects in view, and are too much endowed
with common sense TO throw away the pearl to pick
up a stone. Here you have, in few words, my
views about the German "Frends Of Light" at best
but handful of men, compared to the mass OF Prot-
estants and utterly undeserviDg OF the noise they
have made, either at home or abroad.
| now come to the second class OF reformers--the
so-called dissenting" or "German" Catholics
This sect undoubtedly owes its origin to the honest
| endeavors of two priests--Ronge and Czerski--to
put down the relic exhibited by the bishop OF
Treyes "The holy garment Of our Saviour" was
shown to more than a million OF people from all
parts Of Europe, who had come to bow down be-
fore it, or be touched by its wondrous qualities
| This was one of the devices of the ultramontane
party to produce a revival but it also nettled the
Catholics of the northern provinces who, being sur
rounded by Professionals, and accustomed to hold
commerce with them, had, for many years, been
leaning towards Professionalism, but felt unwilling
publicly to change the religion of their fathers,
or to perform act which, in any manner, could
have been construed into apostacy. Under these
circumstances, Ronge, young Catholic priest, pub
ished his well known letter, addressed TO the bishop
of Treves, and was, in consequence, excommuni-
Gated. He had now no other part left than either to
embrace Professionalism, Tin which case he would
hau haas Loaf dan nce
the tenets Of the Catholic church, whose account
he had suffered accommodation. He chose the
latter, and succeeded In converting large number
OF German Catholics TO follow his example. So far
the historical part of "the second reformation y
Ronge is man of some parts, but neither naturally
eloquent nor inspired with his cause. He is, how
ever, man capable of arguing; but such one has
never yet founded sect. man must believe
! in his doctrine, which must be positive one, and
not mere negation Of another, and convince the
people that he is sincere, If he would have influence
| on the masses. With all the learning and reasoning
in the world Luther would not have carried the refor.
nation if he had not possessed the strength of char
acter required for his Herculean enterprise. His
/ friend Meanclhon, though far superior to Luther
in abstract learning, would have made but sorry
4 figure at the Imperial Diet at Worms Czerski is
\ man Of much more eloquence, and in his views
much more favorably disposed toward the church
for which reason, the two reformers have not al
| ways agreed, and were, at times, on the point oil
breaking out into an open feud. The great diff
Guilty of the two reformers will come when placed
between Catholics and Protestants; they will be
| obliged to form separate system Of dogInatics
We shall then see whether they will not degenerate
into rationaliss, Catholic "Frends Of Light" in
which case, they will soon cease TO make proselyes
among the people.
i As yet, the whole number of Germans converted
by the preachings Of Ronge and Czerski may
| amount to 100000. This sum is rather too large
than too small, and in it comprised both Catho-
lies and Protestants, and, let me add, those who
4 formerly belonged to no church at all. This mum.
Der is small, when compared to the thirty millions Of
Roman Catholics Of Germany; but it dwindlea
down into almost nothing, when the character ofthe
converted IA taken into consideration. They are,
as above observed, taken from both leading Chris
tan parties, and comprise a large number Of those
who had hitherto no fixed persuasion at all. Rongc
and Czersk are thus nothing but cleaners after Luz
ther and Calvin; individually, neither of them can he
compared to the men Of the 18th century. These
had to create the faith Of which they the apos-
ties, Ronge and Czerski are merely the exponents
Of opinions which, long before their appear
ance, had become the settled conviction Of fhou-
sands They found their congregations already
organized, and required nothing but to regu-
late the form of worship and prayer But this cir
cumstance, favorable as II may appear to some,
especially the English, crcumscrbes their activity
within very narrow limits. They preach when in
vited to do so, and to already converted before
hearing them, may differ in my views from many
Of my English contemporaries; but time will prove
that am right, when Iprophesy them no historical
existence. They may continue to exist as Prot
estant sect, by the side Of fifty others; but they
will neither seriously influence these nor the papal
hierarchy from which they have separated.
| In political point of view, the religious move
| ment of Germany was not without accompanying
phenomena, which alarmed the Catholic King OF
Saxony and the Protestant King of Prussia. Where
| there is already an abundance Of steam, there
the least addition TO it may excite apprehension.
But there is yet another cause, usually overlooked
| by English writers. The religious movement oc.
CURED at the time Of the Silcsian riots, and made
rapid progress among people exasperated with
hunger and toll, ready for any change, which, to
them, could only be for the better. They seized
eagerly on an opportunity of assembling together in
public, communicating TO each other their griev-
ances, and giving uerance to their stihed passions
in the only way that the laws permitted them to do
80. Meetings for religious purposes were, at that
time not yet nterdicted; but the events took
| soon convinced the governments that, however sim
cere and religious the apostles, their disciples aimed
at political and socialist objects Then came the re-
action just as unwise, foo-hardy, and tyrannical as
the first encouragement given TO the sects by the
King of Prussia. The religious dissenters were
forbidden to assemble in public; all manifestations
of assent by the muttude--all public festivals,
speeches, &c, prohibited; and the people at last
driven to the excesses at Leipsic, which, on their
UlOst CTimtuhI, DIulul, anu wall
ton outrage committed by the sodiery. Prince John
of Saxony, brother Of the King, and heir apparent,
is man Of talent, but most insuferable arisocrat
and designing bigot. Nothing in a civilized coun-
try could atone for the cowardly assassination
of the people by an exasperated soldaiesca, but
the swinging off of the commander Of the troops,
and the public execution of every superior officer
who commanded on the occasion, So far from it.,
the people will have TO suffer for having dared to
provoke the wrath of the troops. The King has
already signifed to the inhabitants of the town his
royal dispeasure with their conduct and dozen
literary men, in no way or manner connected with
the religious movements, editors of papers and Pc
riodcas, have received peremptory orders forthwith
to leave the kingdom.
The King of Prussia has just been guilty of a
similar movement in regard to the magistrates Of
Berlin, who ventured 10 demonstrate against the
orthodoxy Of the Minister of Public instruction and
Worship. He answered their petition with severe
lecture and monstrance-perhaps with threat
Ifthe Germans will suffer such treatment at the
hands Of their sovereig:s, they are little better than
slaves; for it must be remembered that none Of The