Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-01-16
Want shall be Done with the Popcp


Wh,t shnII be Done with the Popes
The attention OF Europe is now turned to this
question, eropounded it is said by Louis Napo-
leon, IN pamphlet prolessedly written by NJ
dc Ia aGuerronino. That the Pope regards the
authorship as imperial is evidenced by the fact
that he refuses to be represented in tho new
European Congress, unless the pamphlet onti-
Ted "Lo Pope ct DO Congress" be denied by
Napoleon Il is therefore probable that the
Paris OougFtsa win be held without the Prcs>
enee Of delegate from Rome, and such ab-
senoe my embarrass the settlement of difiicul-
sios in Italy.
The important question TO Europe-"Whht
shall be done with the Pope'"-is plainly dis
caIssed IN the pamphlet to which exceptions are
taken ia Rome The writer, whether Louis
Napoleon OF not, would preserve the temporal
power Of the Pope, but would oOnhno his do
minions to a email compass. He argues that
the Romagna should be cut of from the POps's
rule, and shows the necessity Of administrative
reforms elsewhere. The pamphlet, as il speak
ing by authority, shows the course which France
means to take in the Paris Congress. The wri-
ter says:
"The spiritual power, the seat Of which y at
Rome cannot be displaced without shaking the
political power not only in the Catholic States,
but in ali Christian States. Il is equally JIM
por,ant Tor England, Russia and Prussia, as it
Is for France and Austria, that tho august rep
rcsentativo Of Catholic UNITY should neither be
constrained nor humiliated, neT subordinate
Rome is the centre Of a moral power too uni
versal fot it not 10 be in the interests Of all
Governments and all peoples that It should not
Incline to any side, and that it should remain
immovAble ON the sacred rock which no human
power can overthrow"
lie goes on to argue that though the Pope
should he thus independent, yet that this tenn
poral power should be patriarchal, and only Of
sufficient extent to keep up its responsibility
As the temporal power of the Pope Is thus q
a distinct system, it ought not to be supported
By any army, or aParliament, or court o.
justi,e. It approaches, the pamphlet says
ne,rer to a mere family government than to q
government of the people. The priests are the
legislators, their DEGREES are the laws, ant
spiritual weapons are alone to be employed
Says Napoleon:
''Hence it naturally ensues, in our opinion
that the question is not to ascertain whether
the Pope shall have more or fewer subjects
more or less territory. He must have snth
cient not to be subjected himself and to be
Sovereign Of the temporal order. But TIN
sovereignty must not render it obligatory uPor
him to act a political part, for then the POntiti
instead Of finding in this power guarantee o
an Independence, would find only condition
Of servifude for himself or a necessity of ser
viiude for his people"
1t will he at once seen that tho drift Of thii
plan is to confne the Pope's temporsl power Il
the City of Rome alone, and the sPiritua
character thus given to the Eternal City wOul,
be the most proper continuation of the Ol,
Roman power and reputation.
From the support Of the Pope in territOrl
where no laws exist but only a Epiritua
patriarchy, the paper recommends an Ampl
tribute to be paid to him by all he CathOi
Powers oflhe world They must provide th,
means. Says the pamphlet:
''In this manner a double result, equal.
precious, will be maintained. On the on
hand, the Pope will find in the tribute of tn
Catholic Powers a new proof Of the universal
llE anQ unity o. lle ulOIGA pOWGIg MlLiCu ~
exercises and, on the other, he viii not b
obliged to press upon his people by taxe
which would not fll his treasury except b,
throwing discredit upon his name"
The restoration of the ROmaRna to the Pop,
is then discussed, and decided in the negative
The provinces beyond the ApPoninss belonging
to the Church are now separated from it, an
an armed force would be necessary to briD
them back to the papal authority. The Pop
has not that force, and it would be ineOnsistou
with the feelings of all Europe to allow a
Austrian army to undertake it. 1t would shot
that France and not Austria was conquered i
the late war.
The conclusion which the author reaches j
thatthe Congress should recognize the tempo
raj power Of the Pope; the City of Rome an
the Patrimony of Saint Peter should cOnStitut
the whole of b 'domain and that the Pop
should have 4 urge revenue bestowed upO
him by the Catholic powers. If this PrOgramm
can be carried out, vast step forward will |
made by Europe.