The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-07-29

Cbarlemagne, In two centuries after, comforting
extensive temporal domiDioDs upon the Popes
sti,l further increased their power. Because
Rom. bad been the seat of imperial dominion
over the rest Of the world, its bishop claimed the
came sway over the bishops and clergy of other
countries, which was tercely disputed by them
aBd by the German Emperors In retaliation,
the Popes claimed the disposal of the crowns Of
all CbriGtendom. Meantime the Greek church
disputed the claim of the Latin, and asserted its
own, which ultimately led to separation, which
continues to this day.
At last. In the eleventh century, great &C.
clesiastic arose In the person Of Hildebrand
Gregory Willy, who asserted the cburch's indie
pendence alike from the Emperors and the peo-
pie aud henceforth neither had any voice in the
election Of the Popes. Hildebrand did more; he
bestowed and resumed the Western empire "a
fief of the church, and aimed ut the extension OF
bis temporal dominion over the kings and king.
doms of the earth. In this latter project be and
Innocent III. were eminently successful for q
time, and the Bishop Of Rome, who thousand
wears before used to meet his flock In caves aud
dens, now wearing the imperial purple Of the
Caesars, issued his edicts from royal palaces to
all Europe. The Emperor Ohio Nv. called
bimseif Emperor by the grace Of God and the
Pope, and kings were called "ihe sons OF the
Pope" This ecclesiastical arrogance may be
traced down even TO the time of Cardinal
Woisey, Prime Minister Of Henry WILL, who
kaA
The dominion Of the Popes bad its bright a.
well az it's dark side. The clergy, IA the Middle
Ages, were rendered capable by Hildebrand Of
advancing the progress Of civilization, which
was in DAGGER Of being swallowed up in the
waves of barbarism. The Pspai power was long
the great balwark of order amidst the turbu-
lence OF the semi civilized nations Of Europe.
But this ~ etem, like all other systems, became
uueuited TO the wants of q more advanced age,
and the good of mankind required that temporal
princes -bould become again independent of the
Holy See, and after q long struggle they recon
Quered their original status from the spirltua,
power
The circumstance that Austria, France and
Spain were sighting for Lombardy and Naples,
and therefore sought alternately the favor OF the
Pope, Rad caused the latter TO rise in political
importance towards the end Of the fifteenth
century; but the spirit of the times han &C
qnred an irresistible strength, aud the
policy of Leo X was OF no avail against it. Lu-
Their and the Reformation. the French Revolution
and Napoleon Boraparte, completed the ruio Of
nat remained Of the Pope's power. In recent
years The most petty Catholic pripcipalisy did
not consider itse If 80 low to do him reverence,
The very patrimopy OF ST. Peter was in jeopar-
| 6y, eod actually lost ten years ago, but for
| French hay onets. Ever since the Papal throne
rests on the same sharp support. But nov SUD
| denly We behold the curious phenomenon Of the
| Pope placed at the heao Of Confederation Ofthe
Italian States-the result Of the late sanguinars
struggle in Italy which threatened to draw With
| in its vortex every nation in Europe If Plus
| TX were Lot too old, and il he we're q man like
Gregory VII, or Innocent I'LL, or julius IL, o,
| Napoleon ILL., be might render bis new Office the
mort important political position in Europe; and
az the world moves III cycles, ever coming back
again 10 the point, aud a. Professionalism has
tailed as a religion, the Popedom might once more
become great power ia the earth, Should the
present weak minded POntif soon die, and u
young, ambitious, vigorous and able man be
elected in his stead, there 10 ne telling to what
results This new arrangement Of temporal power
in the bands of the Pope might lead. II he should
become more OF a temporal sovereign and less OF
spiritual one, adapting his spiritual authority
and the Catholic religion generally to the wants
and IDEAS OF the age, and occupy the same rela-
ton to the Roman church as the Gar occupies
| at the head of the Greek church, the Popedom
might become in the West what the Empire Of
Russia is il the East. OF 225,000,00O Of Chris
tians, lCOO0O,OO0 prefer the Catholic religion
What an empire would l6O,OOO,OOO of Catholics
make, and bow powerful would be its head
wearing the triple crown!