The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-08-14


The PAPAL SYSTEM OF GovERNMENr-Iu an
other page we publish an original article giving
full account Of the organization Of the Pspai
government, the mode Of the Pope's election, aud
the College Of Cardinals, divided into two fac
tons, but still maintaining combined conserva-
tive policy as regards their own order. This &C.
clesiastical system of civil government ia 80 diff
ferent from all others, that some knowledge Of it
is necessary to right understanding the great
question of the reorganization Of Italy, which
Low occupies the minds Of the statesmen Of Eu-
rope, and involves the peace Of the world. On
this side of the Atlaatic the subject is also re-
garded with profound interest, and whatever elu-
ton is beset on all sides with difficulties, whose
solution can only be accomplished by the great
est craftsmanship of this enlightened age-if, in
deed, it is not left to solve itself by revolution
and the march of events. The obstacle that
stands in the way Of reform is the system by
which the Cardinals elect Pope after their own
hearts, and the Pope gives the red hat only to
those in whose old fogyism he has full conf
dence. By this vicious circle the chances of i'm
provement are shut out, and the present Pope
says he will suffer exile or death rather than
change In the mode of the election Of the Popes
there Is one curious democratic feature, which
resembles our own political systematic ballot
and two thirds vote. It Is the last remnant of the
Italian republics of the Middle Ages. May it be
hoped that this small leaven of liberty will yet
assimilate the whole system to itself?
The Papal government is now the only one In
Europe which stands still, and acts entirely on
the principle of force, and as If human beings
had no rights The Gear of Russia has made
giant strides In progress; the Emperor of Aus
tria, inoculated with Napoleonic ideas at Solfe-
rino and Villafranca, not only comprehends the
necessity Of reform himself, but has turned ad.
wiser to the Pope. Even the King of Naples, the
government Of all others in Europe with which the
Pope's government has had most sympathy, has
made come advance, and, according to British
Minister, is prepared to carry out still greater
reforms. The Pope alone, in the face of all these
facts believes that the world ought to continue
stationary. "Yet it moves" and it will take the
Pope along with it, whether he will or not
That distinguished nobleman and philosopher
to whom We owe the Telescope made such disco.
veries in the starry heavens that he confidently
asserted the motion Of the earth around the Gun.
For this he was thrown into prison by the Iuqui-
sition at Florence till he abjured his opinion.
He afterwards published book, in which he was
more cautious, giving the arguments both for
the Ptolemaic and the Copernican systems, but
still showing such leaning to the latter as indi-
Gated his opinion clearly enough. The cry of
"heresy" was again raised, and again he was
thrown into prison at Rome. Being brought to
trial, he was ordered to take an oath no longer
to teach or support this system. Wearied out
with bis imprisonment in q dungeon be was in
duced In moment of weakness, kneeline and
with bis hand upon the Gospel, to forswear the
great truths he had taught The msment be
rose, indignant at his own failure of resolution,
he stamped his foot upon the earth, exclaiming.
"E pur 81 nauors"-"And yet it moves" For this
he was sentenced to remain in prison during the
pleasure of the cardinal inquisitors, to repeat the
penitential psalms once week for three years.
and bis book was ordered to be burned. Pope Ur-
ban VIII mitigated his sentence by combining him,
first in the Palace of the Medici, at Rome. and
afterwards for life to his country house, near Flo
renee. Yet there is no Pope, or cardinal, or
monk, so ignorant now, or so welded to the
errors and preudices of past generations that he
does not believe in the doctrine of the immortal
Calico. Thus the world moves, and the time
will come when the Popes will acknowledge the
self evident truths Of political as well as astropo
nical science, for which 50 many have suffered
martyrdom at their hands.
OUR RAILROAD SYsTEM-MURDER By WHOLE
sALE.-Elsewhere we publish number of COM
munications on the subject of the late dreadful