New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-12-12
TIE EYncUh TON OF ROME.

draw her Pont6ca garrison within two years; thiru'
that Italy should not protest against Papal army
even if composed Of foreign Catholic volunteers, sum
cisnt 10 guard the Papa rontor as well nerorpro-
vdug of course that the Pope should not be 30 rash
as to contnye orprovoke war with his unhoy neghOor'
Finally. the Government of Italy declared ito readl-
ness to arrange TO take charge Of proporonate part
of the debt Of the former States Of the Church. and
as coroary to these propositions, 1t was understood
that the capital Of Italy would be removed from Turn
10 Florence But the covenant does not appear 10
have been entirely satisfactory The Pope was SEN
sible that its term. simply implied that TWO very
solcitous nations would watch him carefully who be
was allowed to die at his convenience lie could have
France to take care of him, and thus nurse ITS holy
invalid with the gentlest of bayonets, or no could
organize on army of bis out OF oil sorts OF the iaith
full willing to accept pay for their salvation. and keep
the good people Of the Papacy from anathemat1ne
the Holy Father. But the Convention only took
care Of his lands; it did not relieve him from such
bed of thorns as threatened spontaneous revolution
of tho people Of Rome. 1t would have been no com
fort 10 St. Lawrence Of old TO know that, while his
body was being devoured by torture, million OF
acros had been left to him by two designing
relatives The Pope had been sndeavonng
for many years to seep over Etna. but holy water
salutary though it may be as spiritual BAPTISM
wanted the temporal virtue to cool or quench tho'e
Titaus Of reform who belong to steam as well as 10
fro. Be he never 30 quiet Pope, there ncrerwas 80
restless a people; aud il he could sleep on top oil
revolution. they had to keep awake under an
incubus The Pope was uneasy about consPira-
cies aud revolutionary agencies; 80 the terms
Of the convention were interpreted by France 70
restrict the Italian Government from employing
among other violent means against the Pope the
maneuyers Of reyolutionists and agatos. all moral
means to "consist solely in the forces OF civilization
aud progress" and the only legitimate aspirations 10
be "those whose object is the reconciliation oil H"ty
with the Papacy." The transfer from Turn 10
Florence had an obvious military meaning. and
was A pledge to France. M. Drouyn do Lhuys
further explained that 1.-the event OF revolution
breaking out spontaneously at Rome s not forcseen
By the convention, and France reserves her liberty
Of action for this eyentuality" while the Italian Cab
met is to conserve the policy of Count Ca'our' who
"declarcd that Rome could only be united to Italy
and become its capital with the consent OF France.
The tone Of Gen. La Marmora's letter OF reply
evidently signifies that this eHtraFrench Interpretation
OF the code was somewhat unnecessary. Italy
must Of course cherish aspirations unirendly 10 the
temporarily Of the POpe but, as these moral desires
"beong to the national conscience they cannot form
the subject of an international discussion" Italy
would abide by her compact and, in an attitude oil
strict non-nteryention await its end. The Govern
ment of France having reserved its liberty for the
In, toll could do N
less than save for herself tho same freedom. The
convention, while it, no doubt, served purpose not
altogether inimcal to Italy, was denounced alike by
the Roman Catholic party and the friends oil Carl
bald and Mazzini. But Gems. La Marmora and Cial-
dini of Victor Emanuels Ministry and Baron Rcaso-
Ii, distinguished exMinSter, favored il as measure
of prudence and economy. Said Ricasoli: at is
eventually certain that the Italians will count among
their finest Jewels, the nobest 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"
The convention went into effect at about this time
two years ago. Consequently, the period of French
occupation according TO the terms Of 1884 has ended
IT, indeed, Rome has been daily coming TO Italy"
the withdrawal Of French aid must mean that she is
almost at her goal and that the people of Italy, d.
vorced as Florence is from Rome, and man is from
wife, are almost again. We doubt il the world is
generally aware that an event of much meaning is
quietly taking place. 1t should be looked for with
more anxiety than asN9nomers watch for comets and
star showers for if it be all that We suppose il is the
great waymark Of epochs and ages. Unless Napoleon
intends to act in Rome the tedious ceremony oFrench
he; In tha
Papal garrison will have left the stated day as
quickly as the Arabs that folded up their tents and
silently stole away. The Pope will have still left him
his holy janissaries recruited from every kingdom,
and ready fneed be- 10 slaughter the shriyen and UNI
shryen 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 INVESTIGATIONS Of victory
On the contrary it will be we'll enough if they yet
succeedan muzzling poor Roman on dark road at
night
The evacuation of Rome by the French troops begun
ON the iIth and is proceeding to-day Thus is about
topass of the stage Of history the guard Of the dark
ages. Desperate abuse Of power in the name Of re-
lgon; 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
sutOcrstiO power has SO applied TO bring
alike the conscience and mind of man under the do
mnion Of his fellow; these are the phases Of history
for which there ia no parallel in its grandeur and cad
ness, and such history is that Of the temporarily Of
Rome 1t has served its day. and in certain respects,
its duty, no doubts but this it seems to u.s. must have
been very long ago. The intrinsic usefulness of the
Church Of Rome ss material power is many centuries
STALE II had long ceased TO menace kings to sIcon-
muniosts princes. and burn out hsrosy. Lacking the
power 70 samonsh tho great It long sga ceased 70 DO