Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-03-30
NUMBER ll5.
From the Endinburgh Witness.
MufIled Thunder.

90 not mean just the literal and simple truism we
have now stated What we wish TO sar Ia that
after the sudden revolution which threatened to
consummate the downfall ofthe Papacy, came tho
as sudden reaction which promised to float 1t back
to its old supremacy. As we had not believed III
the sudden and instant destruction of that system
IN the one case, so we were not dismayed in the
other, when the tide turned, and full domination
appeared 70 be once more within the grasp of
Rome We knew il was but surface current
and no change in the worlds great tide and that
all the advantage the Papacy could reap from ID
was out reprleve--a very short reprieve Tho
tendencies OF the age, and the aspirations OF the
human mind, though for the moment checked and
beat back by the armed hand ofpower had under.
gone, we were well assured, no change; and we felt
that in very short time the great forces at the bo,
tom ofsociety would assert their superiority to
any mere organizations, however powerful, upon
| its surface. Whenever that time should come, we
believed that affairs would again flow in n channel
adverse to that great spiritual despotism which has
so long oppressed Europe, and would bring the
Papacy into its normal condition of waning intiu-
ence, OF hampered prerogative, OF growing embar-
rassment, OF humiiations, losses, and disappoint-
ments, Till the next outbreak should take place IN
Europe, irom which it might not escape so easily
as t did In the last revolution Matters are coming
pretty much into the state we anticipated
In every quarter of the sky of Rome presages Of
trouble are appearing Sardinia is becoming anti
ucnpitc HselI w nen III made Its
the altar OF liberty, in lSiS, il never meant TO be-
disloya to the Pope. 1t was a Roman Catholic
| Kingdom, and Roman Catholic kingdom il was
! determined to remain In its new constitution, il
solemnly recognised the Roman Catholic religion
| as the sole religion of the State; and we are not
sure that even at this moment its government
would permit any of its subjects, unless he were a
paudois, 70 erect sanctuary under another creed
Thus Sardinia made itsvows to freedom and swoIe
allegiance to canon law at the same instant. We
smile at this attempt to reconcile the service of two
such masters to combine liberty and tyranny ii,
one government. But ten years ago, how many
men were there in this country how many of
those who guide public opinion in the press or the
pulpit even--who would have seen anything absurd
or impossible in the attempt of Piedmont? We
need not, then, wonder that Piedmont saw nothing
impossible In it; and so her vows at either altar
we're made with equal sincerity. She was one Of
the most devoted Roman Catholic countries in sl
Europe and resolved to abide so. At the same
Tune, she was determined not To tprn bock g.,
the constitutional path which she had 60 bannil,.
found when the other italian States missed Il
And so, moving on with her double faitb II In
erty and tyranny, and her eyes steadhstIv 6xadon
the constitutional path she has been coln;.,r yery
day since into collision with some part other Of
Papal prerogatiye; and now, after a six years
course---dreaming all the while that she was moy-
ing obedently in the Papal orbit, and had strayed
not a hairs breadth from it--she awakes to find
that she is well nigh antagonistc 10 Rome, and
that the sentence of accommodation, as a rebel
in law and hereto in faith, is suspended over her
head Thus have facts taught Piedmont what 10
reasonings, arguments, books, could have
taught her-even this that the Papacy is the root
of all the despotism of Europe. We do not saw
that she has learned that lesson fully even yet but
she is making no inconsiderable progress and a
little longer continuance in the same course will
perfect her in IL. Contrary to her own publicly
a.,d Lutte a IL. IL
has become, we do not say Protestant, but anti
Papal. Seeking liberty, she has unwittingly fallen
into heresy. Aiming at being patriotic she has
become schismatic; and now the INQUIRY is forcing
itself upon her, whether She or any other nation,
can be free and Papal at the same moment--true
at once to herself and to tho Vatieaa.
Spain Is at the stage with Piedmont six
years ago. Like Piedmont she has stumbled upon
the constitutional path but we do not say that
she will persevere In 1t with equal determination
though nothing could have been unlikely s''o,l
as the future course Of Piedmont. SPAN as htue
.i-~-...s as Piedmont did that her new pain must
necessarily force her to break, at no distant day,
with Rome, ano al. like Piedmont u has con-
menced its career by the adoption OF a solemn re-
solution never to renounce the Roman Catholic
faith The article declaring that the religion Of
Rome shall be the religion Of the State, has been
put into the basis of the Spanish constitution
as Il was into the Piedmontese one; and despond-
ing views we see begin to be taken Of the gain TO
religious liberty from the late Spanish revolution.
That may be great or small, according TO the IT,
ture course Of Spain but lookless at the regif-
tered resolutions than at the overt acts OF ma
tions; and more at the aspirations and tendenci
OF the national will than at either. We know
enough Of the Papacy, not to know that every inch
of constitutional liberty by people Ii just 20
much lost 10 Rome and we doubt not that tie
Pope would thank the rulers Of Spain far more
heartily would they lay aside their project OF ST.
auestrating the convent lands, than were they 70
record every day Of their lives fine resolution
pleduin0 themselves to continue in the Papal fath
which they may be assured, count for little at q
Vatican, while they actually approprating the
| Papal revenues.
| And then, to add to these perplexitics at home,
there is rising in the East ominous war, which
may bring good to Italy, but can scarce bring it
evil and in the West a not less omnous society,
known by the name Of the " Know-Nothings,"
though why VIC cannot tell, unless IL is because
they know everything, and who, in the extent OF
their organization, the mystery that conceas their
persons and intentions, and the celebrity with which
they execute their resolutions, rival the Jesuit.
With the rise Of this society the high hopes which
the Pope has been building on America have given
way lie never doubted that, by cajoling Amei-
can statesmen, and flattering American democracy,
he should be able at no distant day TO substitute
for the worn-out countries of Spain and Italy, q
| rising cities and boundless resources Of the New
| World. The " "Know-Nothings," however, have
resolved TO dispute the claims of this Lord Of the
earth and its countries, and have determined that
America shall remain with the Americans.
Lest the memories Of former deeds should fade,
Rome is doing her best to revive them Re-enact
these deeds she cannot, at this particular moment,
but IL is the power not the will, that is awanting.
Since we last adverted to this subject, the Pontif
cal illumination against Piedmont has appeared !;
and though compared with the excommunication
of Clement or an Innocent, that Of Plus TX is
but muiIed thunder" st it is sufficient to salts
~ us, that If there is anywhere in Europe out of
IT, any one who wears crown, and Is not vassal
Of Rome, the fault does not lie with her. The doc.
ument throws light upon the darkness Of Rome,
and let's us a good way into the hopes and pur-
poses she cberishes for the future She ever has
in her eye coming period Of dominion, when she
shall be able TO reckon with every enemy, and
avenge every wrong and all her documents, meek.
ly worded as they are, are just appeals to TINS
great day OF Papal retribution and wrath The al
> tocntion rronounced Inv the pope in secret con-