Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1866-10-19
rHE RnmAN ouEsTIoN.

No Hope for Plus te Ninth Bot IL Rome
aCilt the HaltGas
Paris Correspondence Of ase London Tines Sep
tensber 20.
That some last supreme effort should be
made by the friends Of the Papaey to keep
the French garrison at Rome is only natural
and what was expected. Whatever influences
may be brought to bear, it is very natural
that they should be carried on with great Sc
crecy and entirely independent of official
channels. That the Emperor, before he left
st. Cloud, received representations from il
lustrious personages, concerning the assumed
position OF Plus IN, after the retirement of
the French garrison, there is, believe, no
doubt. do not refer to any one at the Vati-
can, to the Roman government, or the Nun
clio who represents the Holy See at the Court
Of Napoleon III. The Pope and his adyi
sers pretend to be Indifferent to the decisions
OF the French Government. Cardidal Auto
nelli has told the diplomatic body at Rome
that, whereas the convention between France
and Italy was contracted without consulting
the Holy Father, or the Government of the
holy Pontih, Plus the TX, and Rome knew
nothing of the transaction, and can hold no
official diplomatic correspondence concerning
the provisions Of the Convention. The same
language is held by the Court Of Cardinals
towards the Government of Italy. All this
is very sublime, and may be very logical; but
events will show that the policy Of the Papacy
towards France and Italy will have injured
the influence and yet further weakened the
authority Of the Roman Church, 50 far as her
worldly pretensions are concerned.
But, so far as any representa-
tons made to the Emperor at st. Cloud or at
Biarritz are concerned, no matter from what
quarter, as to influencing the resolution Of
the eldest child of the church, there is, per-
haps, little for the Papacy TO hope fer. The
Ultramontanes have done their all in France
They have excited the French clergy topreach
treason from the pulpit, which, however, was
speedily and firmly put down by the authori-
| tv Of the State. They have intrigued with
senators and deputies, and inspired clerical
| journals to show the necessity Of France pro-
| tecting government which has long damaged
the interests Of religion and made itself de-
| pendent on foreign bayonets. The Jesuits of
our day have not neglected the old instru-
meat OF lnhuence-women. Pretty faces and
gentle voices have pleaded for the church.
| But the Convention viii be executed IN De-
! cember, unless political troubles break out
in Italy, as above referred to. The Emperor
| Napoleon knows, and the Cardinals know,
/ that Plus TX, will he as safe at the Vatican
after the retirement Of the French garrison as
! he IS now. This was long since arranged
] with the leaders Of the Roman people No
! foreign Powers viii be allowed to invade the
Italian peninsula in order to mount guard at
! st. Angelo. The Italian Government viii
preach order in Rome, and respect for the
| head OF the Roman Church The Antilles
men viii be treated as the Fenetians treated
the Austrlans, they will be avoided but not
offended by the Romans. The Pope would
be safe without them, and their presence is
| only peryerse practical demonstration In
tended to annoy France and Italy. If any
disturbance takes place IN Rome at the close
| Of the year it will be the explosion of priest
| ly plot. If the Pope runs away from Rome
it will be a comedy of his friends own COM
posing, As wasthe flight to Gaeta, the details of
which are ehumiliatingly absurd. Reconciliation
on the other hand with Italy would place the
head ota Roman Church ina most commanding
position just now. The nation has completed
| its emancipation from foreign occupation
with the exception of twelve hundred men
from Antilles. The Italians dc sire that their
spiritual head should be free, and all good
Catholics sigh to witness the Church once
more exercise its benihcent influence over the
people-respecte and looked to as q social
blessing. Reconciliation with Italy at the
present moment would relieve the Church
from It's financial difficulties and endow the
| Papacy with a revenue far beyond that it
| --,'- ~ .--' r -,- .---l,,, ~.=~L-~I t~.--.yv
raj as well as it spiritual subjects. Plus *.
as in 1855, might again find the millions of
Italy blessing him with grateful and devoted
hearts All hostility would be disarmed.
Plus n, the great and good high priest of
of the New Testament-Pius TX, the friend
and guardian of the Italian people-the Ital,
ians wonld exclaim,
And with Thy blessings steal my lancc's point.
lC you seek to ascertain the state of pub
| lie feeling in France you find most men an
! Plaud the retirement Of the French garrison
! from Rome.