The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-02-25
D.fsat or the Chmssh Party In Piedmont

One Of the most interesting and exciting
questions in the political world has but late
ly been decided in Piedmont The Sardi
nian Churchmcn have for sDme time past
been most conspicuous in this attempt TO
upset the free and independent government
Of the country, that so III accords with the
policy Of the ultramontanists u bring all the
world. II possible, beneath the Pon,ifical
sway. A motion has be;n brought forward
and carried by Count CAvoUR, the right
hand and head Of the Sardinians under the
King, 10 inquire into the shameless abuse Of
spiritual power and vile practices Of the Sar
dinian clergy in their attempts To gain tenn
poral and political power. We publish 10
low the speech Of Count CAvouR relative 10
this subject, and We commend it u all who
are sons Of free country and detest any
and all attempts at donineeriug, whether
they cmanaie from secular or religious
source
Alta late hour, on the 3lst Dec, the Chamber
Of Deputies came 10 = vote on the question
with which II had been occupied on that and on
the preceding day. The proposition before IL
was that Of bIgnor Csdorna---" That the use Of
spiritual means on the part Of the clergy " In
huense tho elections constitutes moral pres
sure, which may give occasion for inquiry
The motion was carried by about two u one,
IN more than sn average house, tbs exact mum.
bers being ~ ~ IS. The chief feature Of this
interesting debate was the following states
manlke and admirable speech Of Count Ca
your
This question (hs saidl has taken such q
serious turn, that II Ia Indispensably necessary
for me, ss the organ of the ministry, to state
our opinions upon It. tHear) II is u fact be.
You'd dispute, that the clergy took most sc-
i've part IN tho late elections. will not, be.
fore inquiry, 20 into the question VI the means
they employed. 1t Ia not An isolated, individual
interference, but II was one Theoretically OF
gained, perfectly disciplined, and one that de.
monstrAted thorough knowledge Of election.
eering tactics This fact Ii doubiy important
when We consider what IL now going on In 9th
or states Of Europe, where also also the clergy
are making great efforts to obtain political IN.
nueRce. Ia switzerland an ate mpt Ii making
~ raise the ghost Of the sopderbund. In France
the clergy IN trying To abridge Gallican iibcr
ties, anu ~ bring that country back 10 the six
tecuth century. In Belgium the clergy il work
ing ~ ro.establlsh mortinain tanuIes for the
benefit Vi the church, and does It's utmost To
tho electoral committees TO impede the regular
development vi civilization. would not hold
the clergy ~ u body responsible for the viO
lence Of the Catholic press. but cannot avoid
noticing the fact that no sooner we're the cleo
toral colleges convoksd than the bishops pub
llshed pastoral letters.
Ia some Of these letters Christian spirit Of
inipartiality prevails; but others are redolent
OF vaIty spint. One prclato even descended
~ low ~ to write like y party journalist lis
yHulent pen made the most reckless attacks
upon his adyersaries, and he branded the gov.
einInent and the parliamentary majority as en-.
emes VI tho church and children OF satsn.-
uaughter) The parsonage houses were con
vertcd into eiseloneering rendezvous. The
priesls left their locks 10 eanv Asa, and, after
having marshaiied thor own people TO the poll
renamed ON The spot as clecuoheering agents
10 influence others. All tins would not cOnsti.
tuto moral pressure, bur II ~ asserted that
they went 81 lar - Ia abuse the oonie ssional TO
this same end. do not affirm hat they really
did this. but they are accused VI having done
IL. and 10 eonoerus tho dignity vi parliaInen mt,
and the members whose elections are tainted
with this suspicion. thai tbs Tact should be
cleared up. hope, with all my beatt, that the
clergy may come clean out oI the inquiry.
good ~ well a. evil consequences. In all Tree
countries, the clergy always plays u part IN pc.
llueai struggles--it does 50 IA hngiand. IN
America, anu ia switzerland. | am Tar from
Wishing To exclude them from all political iu.
nuonce. LAs,ng, A. they do here, IA a medium
vi liberty, Ia membefs imbbe n taste Tor lib
crty. That TACT IL u compensation for many
ineony enienees. Many who enter parliament
with clerical passions become constitutional
conservatives. There have been ClIc unstan,
ces IA which have warmly appauded the Of
forts VI the ciergy-parti, ulariy ia regard to
the evolution ia Belgium 10 the cmanc ipa.
ton OF the Irish Roman ,athohcs--and 10 The
abolition oi the penalty which once existed IN
switzerland against any body converted to
Catholicism. but when the clergy attempts to
rceonYuer its old privileges, and When II be.
comes an obstacle To the progress Of civilina.
ton, deplUre its Interference aLd | oppose IL
with all tho energy thai can command. -
(Chcers) Legal means, | acknowledge It's
right, and do not fear It's te,rogade .hiucn nee,
bscsas have faith III progress | would say
to the liberals, II you would triumph over your
adycrsaties you have only one thing 10 do op.
posc organization 10 organization, discipline 10
discipline, aud there can be no DOUBT OF the re.
suit OF the struggle. (theers.l Hut II the
clergy makes usc OF spiritual weapons the
struggle Is M longer equal, and physica c on.
hict is to be spptehenJed. When the defend,
rrs OF ioefty are represented from the pulpit
.. enemies OF the church, and when they are
B Threatened with Divine wrath, then the clergy
gives the ooVerameut aud the majority a right
TO combat its manoruvres- The employment OF
spiritual arms nsy lead 10 civil war. since
the op,nion OF the immense majority OF this
nation Is that the clergy has resorted to illegal
means, an inquiry Is Indispensable. should
that inquiry prove tina, the clergy IS not liable
4 To reptuach. the result will be immense bu,
+ II, on the contrary, II should appear tina, u ha.
abused It's influence, then the ministry will be
bounv 10 consider whether or not existing legi-
! lsuon IA sufficiently suoug Tor the Repression u
such abuses, aud It IL should be found that II h.
| not, II viii then be the duty OF ministers ~ ash
parliament ior additional power. TO enable
them 10 prevent the repetition vi such conduct
~ Is now complained OF. tCheets.) hut the
facts mus, be Aseertained beyond doubt, ia the
tacc ~ the nation and oi the conssrv a,S Z
b party, and ~ the interest OF liberty as yell q.
! IN that oi the Clergy lIheers)
: In Belgium, similar struggle has taken
place and with like rcsul,, the ecccsias,ics
. 4 u ~.