Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-10-31

bitterness, in seeing that in such wicked and even
execrable spolation we are again deprived OF Tor
egn assistance, in consequence OF different dhcui
ties which have arisen. Certainly the reiterated
declarations which have been made to US by one OF
the most powerful princes Of Europe are well known
to YOU Nevertheless while We still wait for the
effect of them, We cannot but be cruelty aff1lcleo
and disturbed in seeing that the authors OF ana ac
tors this rightfn usurpation persist and ADVANCE
with audacity and nso!ence in their detesta6le de-
sign, as if they assured that no one Will enec
tually oppose it.
Their pervers,ty has reached to such point that
the hostile troops il the Sub-Alpine army. having
been sent almost to the foot of the walls OF our
well-beoved CAPITAL all communication is stopped;
public and private affairs are in SUSPENSE the ROADS
are intercepted and what is more serious the Sove-
reign Pontif is reduced to the most painful embar-
rassment for the affairs of the Church. and cannot
provide for it, since the principal road of commune
cation with the different parts of the world is closed
Thus venerable brethren, in those bitter agonles,
and in such extremity, you understand that we
are brought to the painful necessity OF thinking
even in spite of ourselves, of adopting opportune
resolutions to save our dignity.
In the meantime, we cannot abstain from partlcu-
larly deplorng the disastrous and perncious prncl-
pie, which is called that Of non-!nterventon, pro-
claimed some time ago by certain governments, toll
Grated by others, and put in practice, even in the
case of the odious aggression Of one State against
another; whence it follows that sort of IMMUNITY
and license is secured in contempt of all laws, hui
man and Divine, for the invasion and the spolation
of the rights, the properties, and the domains ct
another and which we see happen in these atnenta-
BILE times And what is truly wonderful is that 1t IS
with impunity allowed to the only su5alpinc gov
eminent to trample under foot and to violate this
pretended principle, since see it under the eyes
thn tnrrv fnr n
other States to dethrone and expel the Legitimate
princes Hence follows this pcrncious absurdlty
that foreign intervention is only admitted in order
to excite and favor rebellion
This, therefore, is fitting opportunity Tor us to
exhort all the Princes of Europe to reflect in the
gravity of their counses, and in the medtations of
their wisdom, how many evils and perils are accu-
INFLATED in the detestable events which deplore.
The case in fact is of barbarors violation accom-
plished against the universal law of nationS and if
it is not completely suppressed. there is hcnceforth
no security for any legitimate right. 1t is the qucs
ton of the principle of rebellion, of which the subal
pine Government shamefully supported the yoke,
and which easily explains what dangers threaten
governments and fall on all civil society, since it
opens the breach before fatal communism 1t relates
also to the violation of the solemn Conventions which
guarantee the integrity and the independence of the
Ponttica State, as we'll as of all other European
ones. IL IL inc ol SPoiidtiO vi
Power which. by special design of Divine Provi-
dence was given to the Roman Pontiff to secure to
him. in the Universal Church. the full liberty of the
exercise of his apostolic ministry. This liberty
ought to be- the part of all Princes, the object of
the most lively soiicitude in order that the Pontf
himself may not be submitted to the influence of any
foreign Power, and that thus the Catholics, who in
habit the domains of those ercnt Princes may be
in complete security.
All sovereigns must therefore be pc rsuadcd that
their cause is intimately connected with ours. and
that in coming to assistance, they are providing
equally for the preservation of their rights and
of ours. We urge and adjure them, therefore with
the utmost confidence, to lend us their assistance,
each according to his condition and his means. We
have no doubt that Catholic princes and nations
will, with the utmost arlcr, make every effort to
hasten, with common accord to assist defend, and
protect, by every means the Father and Pastor of
the whole flock of the Lord attacked by the parri-
eide armies of degenerate son.
| But you know well, venerable brethren, that all
our hope must be put in God, aim and refuge in
our tribuiaions; in God who wounds and heals the
wounds, who smiles and cures who gives death and
| lifc who leads into the abyss and delivers from it.
! We, therefore, in all confidence and humanity of
heart, increasingly offer up before Him most FIR
vent prayers especially imploring the most eflica-
cious intercession Of the most holy and immaculate
Mother of God, the Virgin Mary and the support Of
the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, that he may
make manifest the might of his arm, and break the
pride of his enemies that he may put to flight those
who attack us, humble and crush all The enemies OF
his holy Church. Lastly, that the hearts of prcva
rcators may be changed by the Almighty power oil
His grace, and that Holy Mother Church may soon
! rejoice over the so-much- desired conversion.