Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1866-09-25
Believe not each accusing tongue,
AS most weak persons do;
But still believe that story wrong
Which ought not to be true.
l..
The Pope's Temporal Power.

The European and American press are en-
gagged In enlightening the public mind upon the
probable effect on the Roman Catholic Church
of the loss of the Pope's temporal authority,
which, it is generally understood, is likely to fol-
low the overthrow Of his most powerful cham
pion, the Emperor of Austria.
1t seems to us a little too early to assume that
the temporal power of the Pope is permanently
ended. The intelligent reader need scarcely be
Papacy, the Pope has been compelled to relin-
quish his capital, but, in the course of few
years, or an even shorter period, events have
restored to him his sovereignty. He was held
at one time prisoner by the great Napoleon,
and seemed as weak and helpless an object in
the grasp OF that mighty conqueror. as lamb
in the clutches of an eagle. But the conquer
or died at last, himself prisoner, on an island
rock, reverently acknowledging the spiritual
authority Of his former captive, who was once
more free, and again Sovereign. In our Pro-
testant eyes, and, we think, in the view of sound
reason and religion, the temporal power is in
consistent with the spirit Of Christianity, and
we have no manner of doubt that it must be a
disadvantage to the real strength and spiritual
ity Of the Church, but still, in view of the many
ups and downs Of the temporal power, we shall
not feel quite certain that it has ceased for
good, till we have the Popes own word to that
effect The recent territorial changes in Eu-
rope are not likely to be permanent, and Bis
marck may afford another illustration of going
up like the rocket and coming down like the
stick. |
But supposing the temporal power to perish,
is it likely that the religious influence of Cath
olicism will be in any degree diminished? We
think not. The very contrary is likely to be the
fact. There was day when the Christian
Hhur haH yo ~ 81
compelled to worship in the Catacombs of that
very Rome which has since become the seat of
the Papacy and that it was the very day of its
greatest trlumphs. When it was poor, perse-
cuted, martyred, it numbered its converts by
millions where, in periods of prosperity, it only
counted. them by thousands Wherever the
Church has been united to the State, it has lost
its hold upon the masses of the people
Whether it be Catholic or Protestant Church,
the result is uniformly the same The estab-
Ishment Of the Free Church in Scotland is an
illustration of the energy with which Church
bounds forward when released from these odius
traliimels, and the rapid growth Of the religious
denominations in America afford additional ev-
idence Of the fact. There can be no doubt that
if the Church Of England were Independent
of the State, it would gain vast accession
OF influence and popularity in Great Brit
ain. We are confident that the extinction
of the temporal power would have no further
effect than to intensity the zeal and redouble
the energies Of its adherents, whilst Rome,
though ruled by Victor Emmanuel, would still
remain the centre Of that vast ecclesiastical or
ganization, which, whilst regarding the tenn
poral power as matter of convenience, has
never considered it as essential to the Catholic
system, and in no way affecting the bonds OF
the spiritual allegiance which Catholics owe to
the head Of their Church
Il Aaa hnan rrndintnd that Catholicism, after
the loss of the temporal power, will gradually
assume throughout Europe the position it has
now held for many years in France, having
great influence, but not supremacy Perhaps
its position in this country will afford more ac-
curate analogy. The Catholic Church in the
United States has always been as unaffected by
the temporal politics Of Rome as if no such
court existed, and its progress and influence
have been among the most remarkable phe-
nomena of ecclesiastical growth which this age
has witnessed. Its clergy have been among the
most energetic and selfdenying of men, and
the church generally has gained more Of the
popular confidence and respect than would have
been possible if presented to the people in the
combined spiritual and political aspect which it
wears in Europe. Transcript.
PHOTOGRAPH OF PRESIDENT JoHNsoN.-In
statue President johnson IS square built, broad
chested, not over tall, compact, manly; in dress,
decently clad in sober and somewhat worn
black coat, his body seems merely a suitable
pedestal for mounting his massive head. A
broad brain, hair originally a black, but now
evenly sprinkled over with thin intermixture
of white, making what is called an iron-gray
complexion dark, and face of grave aspect
which strikes the beholder at once making the
whole figure mere appendage to it-as that
Of man habituated to weighty deliberation a
face on which public responsibilities have deeply
engraven their lines. With the sober strength
of his care-weighed face there is combined
certain hardness of expression, as if he was
deficient in the softer human sympathies. But
this is perceptibly relieved as soon as he speaks,
his voice having quietness and ease not e3-
cold-eyed statesmen But still the predomi-
nant impression is that he is resolutely honest,
resolutefy ambitious, ng-6bred soul, to whom
nothing is so congenial as the cares of state
He greatly resembles Senator Douglas
Garments of beauty may cover, but they can
navor ;,nnart worth to abandoned character