The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-10-27

from the simple fact that several rival cliques
are trying to get exclusive control OF tho
vessel, and that until one or other Of them suc-
ceeds nothing definite can be known on the
subject.
the Enpcror's speech at bordeaux snd
snc European OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Crasis I'm tho Italian Question.
IN our European advices by the Persia, 1t is
announced that a general Congress of the Euro
pean Powers will meet immediately after the
closing Of the Zurich Conferences. to take into
consideration the present state Of that Cont
nent and to ratify recent territorial changes
that have taken place there.
That Congress will be composed Of Catholic.
Protestant and Greek Powers, with perhaus
the admission of Moslem element, and aftsr
ratifying the recent driving Of Austria fron
Italy, the next and most prominent question for
1t to discuss is that Of the temporal power
Of the Pope. II may seem an anomaly that
the Catholic sovereigns Of France, Ausiraa,
Sardinia and Spain, the Protestant ones Of Ing
land and Prussia, the Greek Emperor Of Rus
STA, and the Mahometan Sultan of Constant
nople, should unite in discussing the questioa
of the Pope's rule in Italy; but when looked at
in its true light, it will be seen that there is no
anomaly whatever in the proceeding. The
Papacy, in it's temporal aspect, is ono
of the European family of nations,
and as such is bound to Catholic. Pro-
testant, Greek and Moslem alike, to
observe the rules of good neighborhood. This
it has not done, for the bad government of the
Papal dominions has contributed as much as
any one thing to make Italy the political vol
cano Of Europe, threatening at every moment
to pour its lava over the dominions of the other
sovereigns. For ten years its ebullition has
been kept in check by the presence Of French
bayonets in Rome, and Louis Napoleon, with
his accustomed tact and direetness, touched, In
his late speech at Bordeaux, the real point Of
the question which now agitates the European
mind. Recognizing the great fact that the
other Powers could not consent to his being al
ways the guardian of the Pope, he pertinentiy
asks, "What will be the condition of Rome
when withdraw my troops?- and ter
ror, or peace" And that is the question which
Pho Mono will have to answer to European
Congress?
1t is only the hierarchy Of the Roman Church
that adheres tenaciously to the temporal power
of the Pope. The subordinate orders Of the
clergy, and the great mass Of the faithful, from
Dan to Beersheba, would be glad to see 1t TO
..os-u. Inc incompetence that has been ex-
hibited in the government of the Roman States.
the bitterness, partially and injustice in tenn
poral affairs which have marked the conduct of
the hierarchy, have for long years formed deep
stain on the Church and its faith. It would
be a satisfaction to the Catholic world
if Italy were left to govern herself, and the
hierarchy of the church were to turn its ex-
elusive attention to matters of faith and spirit
ual affairs at large Some time since it put at
rest the long mooted question of the immaou.
late conception Of the Virgin, and the world
received the new dogma without struggle or
q single throe. If there are no more dormas
to be settled, there are numerous saints waiting
for canonization. Four, at least, are at this
moment under examination by the holy
synod, who have to ventilate their claims and
verify their miracles. Let the hierarchy
turn their attention to these spiritual affairs,
and leave the temporal government Of Italy to
hands more competent to WELD it.
That such will be the result of the delibera-
tons of European. Congress, we have no
doubt Louis Napoleon's speech at Bordeaux
gives US the key of the position he will take
before it He will withdraw his troops from
Rome, and leave the Italian people to deal with
the Pope. He will not consent that any other
Catholic Power, excepting, perhaps, Naples.
shall interfere in question purely Italian in
its bearings, and in this he will be sustained by
the Protestant, Greek and Moslem sovereiens.
Then comes the solution Of the long debated
Italian question. The people, under the lead
Of Garibaldi, will drive out the few Swiss
guards which the Pope sustains, and relieve
the cardinals of all their troubles in temporal
affairs. The new political organization Of
Central Italy may present some difficulties at
first; but these can be got over, as in the case
of Greece, by the appointment of squatter
sovereign to the new throne. This will end
the temporal dominion of the church, which
has endured, through good and evil report,
since Charlemagne established it thousand
years ago, and which has become inconsistent
with the present state of the political and spirit
ual development of the world.
The COMING MUNICIPAL REFoRM.-That body OF
respectable men who comprise large portion
Of the wealth, industry and talent of the city,
known as the Democratic vigilant Association,
and who are setting themselves vigorously to
work to arrest the corruption and digracefnl
course of the governing mass which controls all
parties in this great metropolis, Is attracting q