Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1856-12-26
From the Christian Advocate am Journal.
RELIGION ABROAD.

been. and phat they hare become
Alliance Of Romanisns in both Coun-
tries wih Political Despotism-THe
Relation of the Spanish Church 10
the Political Parties-THe Reign Of
Isabel H.-7Hs supports Of the Ro.
man Church. - rh
If the nations of Europe were to
examine the disasterous influence
which Rome has exercised on the de-
velopment Of their history, we think
that Spain and Portugal would prob
ably be foremost among the complain
ants. Three hundred years ago Spain
was the leading monarchy of the
world, and even Portugal displayed a
a power and an influence, the like OF
which hardly ever state of its d.
menslons had exhibited before. They
represented the European influence in
Asia and Africa, and the newly dis
covered continent of America was di
vided between them. II appeared for
time as IL the whole non European
world would be won through them for
modern civilization, and. at the same
time, for the Roman Church. But
both began TO decline with the Refor-
nation OF the sixteenth century. In
order to secure the absolute power OF
the princes and ecclesiastical uniform
ity among the people, the whole Pc
ninsula was subjected to the unlimi-
ted swsy Of the Inquisilion. which
crushed there the beginnings Of .relig-
ious and social progress with greater
cruelty than in other countries, and,
unfortunately, also, with greater sue
cess. No other country has had prin.
ces which strove more zealously Ia
maintain In their dominion the faith
Of Rome, and no other country has
sunk more deeply. Spain no longer
belongs TO the great powers OF Europe,
among which Protestant England and
Prussia have secured place; Portu.
gal, Mt present, hardly yields TO any
other European State In insigniGcancc,
and the Spanish and Portuguese colo.
nies in America are still struggling
for their very existence. while the
younger English colonies, educated by
Professionalism, have taken their place.
as the United States Of North Amerl.
ca. among the great powers OF the
world. H
The ecclesiastical rs we'll as polili'
cal history Of both countries. during
the last centuary, has been nearly the
same. The Catholic clergy having
closely allied Itself with political des.
potlsm. every movement for political
reforms has found itself In opposition
to tho Church. Liberal politicians,
when nj the helm Of the State, must,
for the sake Of self.preservation. use
oil The means 10 break the influence o
the Church. and. for the same reason,
the Church endeavors with all hci
might. to suppress liberal constilu'
tions. liberty Of the press. liberty o.
conscience. and everything that car
tend TO educate the people for greater
independence and social progress.
The Church of Spain suffered a &C.
we're blow by the exclusion OF Dor
Carlos from the throne. This prince
was the representative Of those poliii
al principles 10 which the Spanish
Church had always given her support
and, moreover, believed TO be sincere
ly attached to his faith. The MAORI
ty Of the clergy remained faithful to
his cause, and showed itself always
ready to plan new revolutions agains
the throne Of Isabel III. Among al
political parties OF Spain. the Carlistit
party, which Is the weakest. and with
out any prospects Of success, is th'
only one which is willing to maintain
the prerogatives of the clergy unim-
paired. Among The supporters Of The
present dynasty the Church had orig
Inally but a few friends. The conser
vative party did not repudiate an ALI
ance with the Church. while by hel
aid II could hope TO strengthen it
power or to avert common danger
but it readily sacrificed tho ecclesias
tical interests. whenever ii thought j
safe to do so. The constitutional
party has always, when 1t has been il
the ascendency, showed itself an un
yielding enemy Of Rome. The min
istries belonging TO this party hav,
signalized their administration BY
suppressing converts, coniscating tn,
property Of the Church, exiling th,
bishops when they disobeyed the laws
of The state. and emancipating th,
press and public schools from the rule
Of the clergy. All its leading states
men, such as Espartero. O'Donnell
and Prim, agree fully on these points
however much their views on politica
questions may differ. The republi
can does. by no means, conceal in III
papers the fact should it ever arrive a
the helm Of the state, it intends to US,
still more thorough measures for an
Initiating the influence of Rome il
Spanish affairs.
The present queen, Isabel H., il
one Of the most devoted adherents y
the pope on European thrones, al
though the Spanish clergy, more thar
any other class Of her subjects, op
posed the erection and continuance o
her throne. She is resolved to at
tempt, by all means, the restoration 0
political despotism, and finds the ali
Of the priesthood indispensable 70
that purpose. Therefore she conclu
ded, in 1851, a concordapt with Rom
which prohibited within the bounda
res OF Spain every form of publ
worship, except the Roman Catholic
and subjected to the control Of tn
bishops the whole system Of publ
instruction. When afterwards com
PEELED by constitutional ministry (
sanction several anti-church laws, tn
Catholic papers announced that th
queen had yielded to the demands c
her ministers very reluctantly, an
with tears. While her ministry wa
warring with the clergy. she presente
the pope with very costly tiara, an