The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-12-13

Finally, the Government OF Italy declared its
readiness TO arrange to take charge Of pro-
portionate part of the debt of the former States
of the Church, and, as oorollary to these pro-
positions, II was understood that the capital of
Italy would be removed from Turin to Florence.
But the covenant does not appear to have
been satisfactory. The Pope was sensible that
its terms simply implied that two very solicitous
nations would watch him carefully while he
was allowed TO die at his convenience. He could
have France to take care of him, and thus nurse
lis holy invalid with the gentlest OF Day0netS or
he could organize army of his own out OF all
spS o. tne stnfo dd eep 20 GOOD spGep Depe Of Se
Papacy from anathematiziDg the Holy Father
But the Convention only took care of his lands;
10 did not relieve him from such bed of thorns
as threatened spontaneous revolution of the
people oil Rome II would have been no COM
tort to st. Lawrence of old to know that, while
his body was being devoured by torture, mill
lion of acres had been left to HIM by Two de-
signing relatives. The Pope had been endea-
vonpg for many years 10 sleep over an Etna;
but holy water, salutary though 1t may be as a
spiritual baptism, wanted the temporal virtue to
cool or quench those Titans of reform who
belong 10 steam as well as to fire. Be he never
so quiet Pope, there never was so restless a
people; and il he could sleep on top of a revo-
luton, they had to keep awake under an
incubus.
The Pope was uneasy about conspraces and
Revolutionary agencies; so the telms of the Con-
vention we're interpreted by France to restrict
the Italian Government from employing, among
other violent means against the Pope, the
manpuvres OF revolutionists aud agitators, all
'mUral means" to consist solely in the forces
OF civilization and progress" and the only legi-
innate aspirations to be "those whose object is
the reconciliation of Italy with the Papacy."
The transfer from Turn to Florence had an OBJ
Ylous military meaning, and was a pledge to
France. NJ. Drouyn de Lhuys further explained
that 'the event OF revolution breaking out
spontaneously at Rome is not ioreseen by the
Convention, and France reserves her liberty
OF action Tor this eventuality," while the italian
Cabinet is to conserve the policy of Count Ca
YOUR, who declared that Rome could only be
united to Italy and become its capital with the
consent OF France" The tone of General La
Marmora's letter Of reply evidently signifies that
this extra-French Interpretation OF the code was
somewhat unnecessary.
Italy must Of course cherish aspirations un.
friendly to the temporarily of the Pope; but, as
these moral desires "belong to the national con-
science, they cannot form the subject of an
International discussion" Italy would abide
by her compact, and, in an attitude OF strict
non'interventlon, await its end. The Govern
ment of France having reserved its liberty for
the eventuallty OF an outbreak in Rome, Italy
could do no less than save for herself the same
freedom. The convention, while it, no doubt,
served purpose not altogether inimiCal to
Italy, was denounced al ke by the Roman
Catholic party and the friends of Garibaldi and
MaZzln1: But Generals La Marmora and Cial.
dim, OF Victor Lmanuels Ministry, and Baron
Rlcasoli, distinguished eX-Minister, favored il
as measure OF prudence and economy. Said
Ricasoli:-'IJ is eventually certain that the
Italians will count among their finest jewels,
the no6leet and the greatest of them all. the
city OF Rome. We are in effect taking Rome
daily. | will say more daily Rome is coming
to us of herself"
time two years ago, Consequently, the period
OF French occupation, according to the terms
OF 1864, has ended. II, indeed Rome has
been daily coming to Italy," the withdrawal
n nn1f Iu fhat to1,o
is almost at her goal, and that the people of
Italy, divorced as Florence is from Rome, and
man is from wife, are almost one again. We
doubt If the world is generally aware that an
event of so much meaning is so quietly taking
place. 1t should be looked for with more
anxiety than astronomers watch for comets and
star showers, for II it be all that we suppose, it
Is the great waymark of epochs and ages.
Unless Napoleon intends to act in Rome the
tedious ceremony OF French leave which he is
carrying out in Mexico. the Franco-Papal gar
risOn will have lett on the stated day as quickly
as the Arabs that folded up their tents and
silently stole away. The Pope will still have
lett him his holy janlssaries recruited from every
kingdom, and ready, il need be, to slaughter the
shliven and unshriven in the name OF the cross.
That blessed body guard cannot be large enough
to feel that in meeting larger number of their
foes, they assuredly carry with them certain
religious mystlhcatlons of victory. On the con-
trary, ii Will be well enough if they yet succeed
In muzzllng poor Roman on dark road at
night
The evacuation of Rome by the French troops
begun on the llth, and is proceeding to-day.
Thus is about 10 pass off the stage OF history
the Iearguard OF the dark ages. Desperate
abuse OF power in the name OF relgon; crime
committed as policy; the heart OF the people
wrung out OF their prayers in order to feed an
eXchequer; pomp and circumstance such as no
other autocratic power has so applied to bring
alike the conscience and mind of man under
the dominion of his fellow; these are the phases
OF history for which there is no parallel in its
grandeur and sadness, and such history is
that OF the temporarily of Rome. 1t has served
its day, and in certain respects its duty, no
doubt; but this, it seems to u.s. must have been
very long ago. The intrinsic usefulness of the
Church Of Rome as material power is many
centuries stale. 1t had long ceased to menace
kings, to excommuncate princes, and burn out
heresy. Lacking the power to admonlsh the
great, 1t long ago ceased to be even OF sinister
service.
The career of the more recent Popes seems to
have been spent principally in administering
the estate Of their predecessors, awaiting
nervously the time when they should receive
notice OF eviction from its real owners, the
people. Pope Plus the Ninth is about to go out
OF business. All the better, we say, for him
and for the world. Priests have no calling to
trade and pray at the same time; to deal in
usUry as gatherers of taxes from the people,
and between Church. craft and State-cratt, sell
religion in effect, as Judas sold Christ The day
OF that sad misuse OF Christian authority ought
now TO expire by Limitation. Whatever be the
goodness and greatness OF individual examples
in Church that has given 80 many saints to
the calendar though, on the other hand, II has
sent its tyrants unscOuIged into history, we
hold it best that the memory OF the saints
should rest in better sanctuary than among the
rusty rubbish OF a now almost etfete tyranny.
Better by lar that the people should become
more healthful, and therefore more holy, by
the enlargement OF the liberty to possess their
own minds and to worship according to the
sincerity oil their hearts, than that a college of
learned ,oppressors should be supported in