New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-02-09

AVCtsICAN SDEAS hN tbD1 80
Amidst oil the yirulence ofparty strife IL the
politics of the United States, there are yet GER
tain fundamental doctrines Of our social system
with regard to which all the opposing parties
continue TO exhibit greater uuanmity than
can be found in any county Of Europe. Thisis
especially the case with the doctrine of the sep
aration of Church and State, and the right OF
every man to the untrammeed profession oil
his religious or philosophical views.
glance over the State Conventions when
IN late years have either framed new constitu'
tons for new States or revised tho con-
sttutons of the old, reveals the remark
able fact that tho opposing idea has not
found upon American soil a solitary cham
pion. Unionists and Rebels, Republicans and
Democrats, Professionals and Catholics, Chris
,ians and non-Christians, all have paid their
homage to this principle; and thus, with regard
10 AT least one cornerstone Of our institutions,
we may safely claim a fortified position, to
which no peculiar institution Of Europe offers
any parallel.
One of the most interesting features in the
modern history Of Europe is the conflict be-
tween this American notion and the opposing
views which formerly prevailed in every Euro
pean country. The American principle has nl-
most everywhere to record an uninterrupted
series Of successes. England has emareipa'ed
the Catholics; Sweden has revised her proscEip-
tive laws; Switzerland is clacing from her code
IL. 49, int. h.r
laws against the Jews; Holland and Denmark
have gone nearly the whole length Of tie Amer-
can principle. Religious liberation as principle
il admitted by every Protestant country, and
the separation between Church and State is at
least making progress The Roman Catholic
countries have remained but little behind the
Protestant. Belgium Las inscribed the principles
of equal civil rights for all religious sects in her
constitution, and in France, Italy and Austria,
this principle has nearly secured an equal
recognition. Spain alone, beside the Gov
eminent of the Pope, attempts to per-
petuatc the reign Of religious intolerance;
but even she is compelled TO stay the
execution Of her bloody laws before the remon-
strances Of the entire civilized world. The
Progressive party Of every country, Protestant
and Catholic, advocates the entire separation
of Church and State, and tho civil equality OF
all religious sects; and the success Of this policy
will be Immediately followed by the general In
PRODUCTION of our views into European legisla-
ton. That the current of popular opinion is
rapidly advancing toward this point is equally
admitted by the friends and foes Of the move
ment.
1t is tho process of this Americanization of
Europe which the recent Encyclcal Of the Pope
laments, condemns, and orders all the Bishops
of Europe to combat. The language Of the
Papal letter is so frank and explicit that-what
is so rarely the case with documents Of this
kind-no two constructions have been put upon
It's meaning. Separation Of Church and State,
and the free exercise Of nOn-Catholic forms Of
worship, are condemned in the most emphatic
manner. Governments Of entirely Catholic
countries are reminded that immigration of
Protestant settlers should not be encouraged By
Che offer of freedom Of worship, and that they
must retain the right of Furnishing those who
leave the Catholic Church.
For more than four weeks all Europe has
been discussing the remarkable manifesto of
Plus X, and if any proof wero wanting Of the
universal inclination Of the people Of Europe
toward religious liberty, 1t has been furnished
by the present spirit of the European press.
but it has failed to produce the least
effect upon legislation. No Government of
Europe, not even thnt Of Spain, dare to
The Papal Encyclical has madc sensation;
commit itself TO it. The Bishops and the
Catholic press submit to the decision of the
sovereign pontG, but even they refrain from
asking its enforcement in any particular case.
The immense majority Of the organs of public
opinion reply to it by calling FOR more COM
,Imc scparation of Church and State. Re.