The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1865-03-02
rsaE porE ArD L. D.

1t is not practicable for one who relie
on argument and evidence in discussior
to be 40 eoononicsl Of space as it il fo
one who depends upon bare assertion an
broad denial simply.
L. d. asserts that the Pope's denunci
atoms Of tbs freedom Of discussion ant
the rights of conscience we're intended TO
the liberals Of Europe, and not for thi
country. Where's the evidence Of suci
limitation These denusciations were
sossmnly and deliberately embodied in ar
encyolical letter, addressed to all tho cler-
gy throughout the world iu communion
with the Church of Rome.
Aud the SUBJECTS are IS universal as
the address. for he denounces pantheism
and ationalism, nsturalism, commun-
ism. liberalism, socialism, unitarianism,
secret societies, Bible societies. public
schools, free discussion, freedom Of the
press, the rights Of conscience, and the
freedom Of worship, in general und
rhetoricai phraseology. as gross errors ef
modern society, rife throughout the Chris
tian world in this sad age. Then he se-
lecss and sets forth in due order, under
appropriate headings and classi6casions,
specific errors to the number Of eighty,
which he had heretofore condemned, and
again holds up to the rsprobation Of
the faithful. 1t is Insulting to common
sense. then, to say that the Pope's de-
nunciations of these errors we're confined
10 European society.
Again, l.. d. asserts that it is only 10
reference to the Pope's temporal govern
ment in Italy, that he condemns the
propositions quoted at the end of our last
editorial. This assertion is without
shadow of truth. We did not quote
line from the errors applying to the gov
ernment Of the States of the Church
which are set forth by the Pope under
their appropriate and separate beading.
but from that class headed "errors con-
ceruiug the Church and her rights" and
the class "concerniDg modern liberalism"
under which term civil and religious
freedom as developed in our country, a.
we'll as in Europe, is included.
L. D. asserts that Protestants enjoy the
rights of conscience and freedom of wor-
ship in Italy and Spain, and other Catho-
lie countries of Europe. The assertion is
inconsistent with all the reports Of mod
ern travellers which have fallen under our
observation, inconsistent with the doc.
triues and practice Of the Church of
Rome in all times of which we have au.
thentic history, and inconsistent 9th the
Pope's late encyclical letter, and is one
of the specific errors which we quoted
from the list appended to that letter.
Had it been the doctrine and the practice
OF the Church of Rome, the blood of the
Albigenses. the Waldenses, the Hussites,
the Huguenots, and myriads of humble
followers of Christ in many lands, who
have perishtd for their faith, would not
now be crying out against Rome, as tie
blood of the prophets in olden times
agains, Jerusalem.
The dilemma Of which L. D. speaks is
inseparabie from his position, that the
Pope is infallible, and the principles aud
preteasious of the Pppedom invariable
from age to age. If the Pope, IS
Head OF the Church, proclsims only in
fallible decrees in all matters that concern
the welfare of souls. he must, a. vicege-.
rent of Jesus Christ, be the Judge - to
what these DEGREES shall be, and what
concerns the welfare Of souls. And il
Plus TX has this authority, SO had tie
infamous murderer Borgia, and the licen-
tious Paul. And the one might cit down
in bis room. and while watching the ef-
fects Of The poison which he had admin
istered to his victims, indite an infallible
encyclical letter for the guidance and gov
eminent Of the faithful. And the other,
after writing rescript investing one of
his bastard soma With D Dukedom. might,
In The same sitting, and With the same
pen, write, under the illumination Of the
Holy Spirit, stirring anathema sgains,
the errors OF heretics injurious to God
and destructive of the doctrines of the
Church. And still another Pope, in
view Of the great danger to the Church,
and the welfare Of souls, might, under
like infallible guidance, issue his bull Of
accommodation against q sovereign. or,
taking the other side Of the question.
might denouocs the people in the inter.
eats Of their ruler. If L. D. does mot BE-
lieve oil this, he must exercise his private
Judgment and appeal to his own sense Of
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