The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-11-23
MIR. Polk and the Pope.


The recent intelligence from Italy continues
TO be intensely interesting. The liberal move
ment begun by the present Pope is still making
progress in that beautiful peninsula. In Sardi-
nia Tuscany, and even in the Neapolitan doml-
Mons, the spirit of improvement is tending on
wards. OF course, Lombardy, under the iron
dominion of Austria, is at stand still. HIS no.
liness maintains his attitude with great persever'
ance and much tact. He has already astonisn :
ed all Europe and even in this country
he has created a sentiment deep and dur
able. According to our last accounts the secret
agent of the British government had reached
Rome. and the influence Of that great power il
now extended In favor of the chief ofthat church
which was banished from England centuries
ago. What an astonishing spectacle, to see the
British government of this day defending the
Pontiff from his own religious adherents In otheI
parts of Europe
But the truth is, his holiness is equal to the
spirit of the age; he is coming back again to the
first principles of Chrstianty-those principles
which throbbed in unison with the liberties OF
the people, in opposition to old imperial Rome
He is combining the destiny Of the Roman
Church with the intelligent movements OF the
age. In such position of things at Rome, ought
not the United States, the greatest of all free
countries in Christendom at this day, to open
diplomatic relations and express its sympathy
with the iliustrious pontiff?
There is nothing to prevent Mr.. Polk from
sending in Immediately to the Senate, at the
opening of Congress, the nomination OF diplo-
matte agent to Rome, either Charge dATa'Tss
or an ambassador. We think the country would
prefer the latter nomination, as more respectful
70 the Pope, and more suitable tosour dignity
and greatness as people. II IS understood we
believe generally, that Mr.. Polk belongs to the
"straitest sect" of the Presbyterlans. 1t such
be the fact, what fine opportunity Is here pre-
sented him of doing honor to his own sect, by
an act demonstrative of liberal and noble feeling,
showing the absence of all that religious bile,
bitterness, and bigotry, with which many believe
his sect to be imbued against their Roman Ca
tholc brethren.
The idea has got abroad, and seems to be set
tied down upon at Washington, that Mr.. Polk is
estopped from doing such an act as this OF which
we speak, and which we are sure would be
gratifying to the people, by the course ne for
merly pursued when member of the House OF
Representatives, on the question of the nomina-
tion to Panama. We apprehend this to be a
great mistake, founded upon most superficial
understanding of the subject. On the occasion
referred to, Mr. Polk offered resolution as
follows:
"That it is the constitutional right and duty Of the
House Of Representatives when called for sppropria
tons to dsay the expenses Of foreign missions to de-
sons and to determine and thereon In their udg
ment may be most conducive to the public good"
Here 1T will be seen Mr.. Pc k assumes, and
very correctly too, that it is the right of the peo-
pie to determine and act upon such matter,
ultimately, as they Judge best Now we are
ready to maintain that public opinion has
already settled the point, and determined that
such an embassy is in all respects desirable
Mr. Polk does not, in this resolution, lay down
the principle that no nomination is ever to be
sent in by any President until the House shall
first have determined and agreed upon Its expedl-
ency; but simply that, with or without previous
nomination, In all cases, and In any case, the
ultimate right and power belongs to the people
to decide upon the expediency or inexpediency
of such matters Would any man in his senses
maintain that before the President sent in the
nomination of consul to Liverpool, or Valpa
ralso, or Trieste, or to any other place, lot th'
first time, that first he is bound to consult thu
House, by asking, "may be permitted to sent
in nomination for such and such place y
We think another reason offers itselfwlth some
force, showing why the course Of an immediate
nomination would be most advisable. There
are many members from peculiar districts who
would feel themselves bound, in Difference tC
the prejudices of the ignorant and bigoted among
their constituents, to make great show of oppo
sition TO such an embassy. Let them be spared
this grievous infection, as no doubt they gladly
would be. Let the country be spared the expens.
of an idle debate of some days, by sending in thu
nomination at once, as a matter OF course.
In the meantime, we see a certain sect of fuss,
people in this city making great effort to get VI
meetings and addresses to be sent to Rome, will
the object, no doubt, that they may figure in bar
room associations as friends of civil and re
liaious liberty, in connection with the movemen
in Italy All this is ridiculous and absurd
The government OF this great country is tn,
only proper representative of the general feel
ing-the only organ by which to send to ami
mate and cheer the heart of his holiness by an
immediate mission to Rome. This would b,
received and understood there, and would pro
duce an excellent effect, not only in Italy, but il
the whole of Europe. The position which thi
country holds before the world, as one of tn
greatest powers in military, commercial an
naval capacity, will carry weight in Europe
Here at home, we have nearly million and
half of Catholics, adherents to the church an
faith of which the Pope is the chief, and tn
utmost liberty, both civil and religious, is Ell
Joyed among us by all sects of Christians. In
short time, probably, we shall have under ou
dominion ten millions of people in Mexico
all of them Catholics. 1t is, therefore, Of SOM
importance that our relations with Rome shout,
be upon the most friendly footing.
Mr. CLAY's SrxKoH.-This great documen
has not yet come to hand, but we expect to re
ceive it in day or two. Previous to the NEE
ing at which that speech was made, it appear
there were some secret movements in priva
circlea among the friends of Mr.. Clay. orgal