New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-07-03

Not only the COMMISSIONS, but the diss0lutions and
the retrogressons observable in Europe, pervading
all conditions and interests and affecting both moral
and material questions, must fill the mind of the
Independent observer of events with despOndency
and sadness Above, beaten to its utmost tenacity,
is gded surface of prosperity and securty below,
the process Of decomposition is uninterrupted. In
England coberence fconhicting elements ia Sc cured
by the power of ancient habits and opinions, while,
upon the continent, in considerable part of Ger
many, in Austria, Spain, Italy, and especially in
France, brutal physical force is invoked to secure
tranquility. We have already discussed in the
columns of THE TRIBUNE the social condition Of
the English aboring classes, aud the financial and
political confusion prevailing in France, as well as
in other countries Of the continent. We propose,
therefore, at this time, to speak Of higher moral
questions. 1t s surely noteworthy that liberty of
conscience for the sake of which Europe, through
the lapse of centuries, profusey poured out her
best blood, and met death upon the rack and the
battlefield. and in fires kindled by fanaticsm,
should, in this second half of the nineteenth cen.
fury, be put in jeopardy to which earlier ages
only furnish parallel Prosecutors are increasing,
both in number and in sect. Liberality is under
ban alike in Roman and in Protestant States.
Even the Lutheran hierarchy, aided by pseudo
savants and pseudo philosophers, has turned upon
it. Wherever Church and State are blended,
the forces Of both are united for the OPP
preston of conscience. We pass by Italy
and Spain, with the single observation that
in the latter, the Church, by aattering the abso-
utism of the Queen and her advisers, is rapidly re-
covering, with giant strides, the ground which it
lately lost. In France, Belgium Baden, Austria,
and in parts of Switzerland, the same church, en-.
boldeDed by concessions made to it by regaing
powers, and to certain extent assisted BY Jesuit
cal diplomacy, is fighting for supremacy over the
human conscience. Napoleon was obliged to sus-
pend an overbearing Bishop, and to grant certain
license to journals cOntending against the ultra
montane organs; but the French Protet tants are
stl exposed to various annoyances and to despca.
BILE persecution, sometimes secret and sometimes
open. Hardly more than fortnight ago, Belgium
was almost in state Of instruction That country,
small but populous, active and additionally turbu.
lent resOunded from one end to the other with the
cry: "Down with priestcraft and the converts ~
In Austria, the Catholic clergy have sole control
the Schools and sole jurisdiction in matters Of
marriage. In several Cantons of Switzerland the
Romish party is already raising its head, and me-
naciDg whatever political freedom has accomplished
for conscience. On the other hand, in Prussia, not
less bigot in her Professionalism, the Lutheran
priesthood, hand in hand with the Sovereign and
his Government, seek continually to submit popu.
lar thought, customs and manners to their conyic-
tions, in various ways attacking, sighting aud Of
Tending these objects Of their hostility The attend
ance at church is almost enforced by the Pc.
lice. Clergymen, before celebrating marriage,
PROFOUND in public to the brides the most
delicate questions. The thoughtful and philosoph.
ical men Of the nation are once more compelled 10
resume their pens in defense of the liberty of con.
science, although the generous and enlightened
have so long considered the question to be at least
theoretically decided Assailed from all sides, the
human mind is once more put upon the defensive
We turn, with no small content, from these
facts, which European Journalism and literature
continually confirm, to the condition of religious
affairs in the United States confused as it may at
fret sight appear. We bave here substantial lib
erty Of conscience little social iutoler ,nce may.
in limited circles, annoy those who are both specu.
latiye and sensitive; but our legal federation does
not seem to have found limit even in the ithine.s
Of Mormonism. We are proving to the world that,
after ALL it is better to cOncede every thing to lib
ery Of conscience than in the smallest way to ro-