The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1865-04-01
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
APRH !

- 80 I
PITS TX, recognized rs Sovereign Pontif by
the largest division of the Christian Church, ne
cesarily exercises throughout the world an i'm
1nense influence, which, though too weak TO ez-
cite alarm, cannot Dc ignored. That influence
in its proper sphere, (the realms of Dognatic
and Moral TheolOgy,) is 4 question we leave to
Doctors Of Divinity to settle among themselves
but when the " Holy Father descends to the
arena Of politics, condescending 10 use the public
Journals for the dissemination Of his peculiar
political principles, he then and there exposes
himself to criticism, all the more damaging, if
he be found not only in error, but in exploded
error. 1t is one thing 10 be hurried into faults
by over zeal towards progressive excellence, and
quite another 10 persist III hanging back in the
rear Of the onward march, through timidity of
being rash. But what is that TO actually going
back, staying back. and then matchmaking the
great army Of modern society for striding ahead
without the politeness of promising some day TO
return? Whether such is the position of the
Roman PontiG, we leave our readers to .judSc by
an extract from his " Encyclical Letter. undec
the date Of Sth December last. Referring to "a
great number of men in the present day" he
says
Contrary to the teaching OF the Holy Scriptures,
or the tuurch, ana OF the fatnerS, tNey 20 not hcSl-
tate to afirm'..-." that the best condition Of society
Is that in which the power of the lGity is not com
PEELED TO infict the penalties of law upon violators of
the Catholic religion, unless required by c%ousidera-
tons Of public safety
'Ac,uated by an idea Of social government 80
absolutely false, they 10 not hesitate further to pro-
pagate this ERRONEOUS opinion, very hurtful to the
safety Of the Catholic Church and Of souls. and term
ed fsiriium by our predecessor, Gregory XVI, Of
excellent memory, viz Liberty Of conscience and
Of worship is the right OF every man right which
Cuyhg q 10 pr,r1rT,rpl rnI ls.rhlfahnl hy 1,r in
every well constitute! state, and that citizens are en-
titled to make known and declare. with Il liberty
which neither the ecclesiastical nor the civil author
Ity can limit, their convictions 81 whatever kind,
either by word Of mouth or through the press or by
other means"
From this quotation, we shall not be accused
Of unflirness in deducing the following PROPOSE
tons
lst. That Church and State should be united.
%. That the temporal should enforce the spir-
iJual power.
Sd. That liberty Of conscience is ERRONEOUS,
and comparable TO the rawlings Of insanity.
Before entering into an examination Of these
propositions, we would premise that His Holt
ness does not intend TO define them as articles
of filth, but as His own opinions worthy Of ere
dance that they are not - be found in any
printed work Of Roman Catholic Theology and
that they have all been rcpudiated by the press
Of Italy and France, the ultramontane papers
alone excepted, the paid agents Of that party in
who would Of course support any posi-
bic course which His Holiness might pursue.
believe that all people agree upon this
point,-that the essential ends and aims of gov
eminent arc protection Of life and property, 50
as 70 compel US to satisfy our wants. not by
-apine, but by industry 50 as TO compel us to
decide our differences, not nv the strong hand,
but by arbitration So as To direct our whole
orce, as that of one man, against any other So
which may offer US injury. These are pro-
not 10 be disputed by mere anathemas.
20 matter what 4 mans religion may be
whether Idolater, jew or Christian. he desires all
hose benefits which can alone be enjoyed where
ife and property are secure. To be murdered,
obbed, exposed % pillnge, or being sold into
lavery, are alike repugnant to men of all beliefs
T no beliefs. Consequently, in these essential
oints Of government, there Is . common and
interest in regard TO every individual
-hatever.
Il Is true that man universally believes in a
GREATER, and in the existence of a Great First
aus2, Of God but here all unanimity is at q
.and=till. Whether there be one God or many \
in what relation His creatures stand to Him -,
'hether lie has revealed Himself or not 70 man !
ind. further than by His glorious works-what =
he nature OF that revelation may be-these are g..
uestions about which the utmost difference OF
pinion has ever existed, and concerning which,
ne majority of mankind has ever been deplora-
" in error. But here are two great objects 80 il
1mrletely distinct, that they Will bear no com s
The aue belongs wholly % the visible o