The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-11-24

The Papai Drama.
In his recent speech, on the occasion OF the
opening Of the French Chambers, the Emperor
Napoleon spoke Of the Papal question as one
which affected the interest and well-being of
Europe. Ip this he, no doubt, spoke truly, but
he would have spoken with equal truthfulness
and with more point il he had said it affected
thsinterest and wel-being Of the world. 1t is the
question par excellence of the hour and is creating
quite ~ much interest in Protestant as in Papal
countries, in the New World as in the Old.
Nor is this at all to be wondered at for the
reached climax, and which Is now witnessed
by US in the last scenes Of protracted drama,
has lasted for well nigh fifteen hundred years,
and during that long period has never ceased
to command = large share Of the attention Of
mankind. The battle which is at present
Rome for its centre, is in reality battle for
supremacy between the secular and religious
principles which jointly govern society. There
are unquestionably other standpoints from
which. the struggle may be contemplated, blu.
there is no other standpoint which enables US
to see il with 50 much fulness and clearness Of
vision.
The history Of the Papacy comprises almost
all that is great or interesting in the annals Of
the world since the commencement Of the
Christian era. The descent Of the Northern
barbarians, the early conquests Of Islam, the
resurrection Of the Western empire and the
glories Of Charlemagne, the fall Of the
Carlovingians and the rise Of the
Capcts, the successes Of the Norman in
vaders. the Crusades, the struggles OF
the Guelphs and the Ghibelines, the triumphs in
the far East Of Zingis Khan, the growth Of the
French monarchy, the growth Of English Free
dom, the capture Of Constantinople and the
final settlement of the Turk in Europe, the
revival OF learning, the invention of printing,
the discovery Of America, the decay Of the
Italian republics, the growth and ascendency
Of the Spanish monarchy, the Reformation the
struggle in the Netherlands, the thirty years
war, the glory of France under the Grand
Monarque. the revolution Of 1858 in England,
the revolution Of 1889 in France,
the rise and fall Of the French
empire, the growth Of Russia and Of
Prussia--not one Of these events but has been
connected more or less directly with the
Papacy; and most, if not ell, Of them serve as
mementos Of that struggle between the secu-
lar and the sacred elements OF human society
10 which we have already alluded. The strug-
gle has been as keen as it has been protractcd |;
and though the Papacy has not always been
successful, it must be admitted that 1t has mar
vellously maintained its existence and its
power, in spite Of many fierce attacks and
much combined opposition.
The first great triumph Of the Papacy, Of the
sacred over the secular in human affairs, was
won on Christmas day in the year Of our Lord
$780, On that day Leo H. placed the imperial
crown on the head Of Charles the Great and
hailed him Emperor ofthe Romans. Charles the
Great, in return, gave the Pope the benefit Of
his imperial protection and invested him with
an Italian principally. Thus commenced the
Holy Roman Empire which lasted from 800 70
1906, when it was put an end to by Napoleon
!. Thus, too, commenced that temporal power
Of the Roman bishops which, with varying
fortune, has lasted up to the present time.
Prior to this date the bishops of Rome.
though sufficiently arrogant and pretentious,
had never been able to shine as the disposers
Of emp Tres and Of crowns. II was natural that
the power thus acquired should continue TO
grow. II lie not surprising, therefore, to find
that out Of the disorders which followed the
death Of Charlemagne the Papacy should have
emerged mighticr and more formidable than
ever. The supremacy was not won by the
Popes until after long and severe struggle.
Three hundred years, however, had not
rolled past when ample proof was given
that the Pope was mightier than the Emperor.
A successor Of Charlemagne-Henry Iv.--to
win back the favor Of Pope Gregory VII, the
famous Hildebrand, was content to stand in
the outer court Of the castle Of Canossa, in
Tuscany. at which the Pope was then resident,
md there, in cold January weather, barefoot
and fasting. for three days await the pleasure
Of his Holiness. The power acquired by Hill
debrsnd was bequeathed to his Successors. The
struggle for power has never ceased from that
time till now. The Papacy has often been
triumphant; il has often, also, been seriously
humbled Ii now appears, however, as il
that power which survived the attack Of Philip
the Fair the humility OF the seventy years cap
sivity At Avignon. the disastrous effects Of the
Reformation, was about to sink beneath the
misfortuncs which are crowdiug upon IT, Tbs
principally granted by CharIemagne must at
last be abandoned. 1t may be retained yet for
time, but II may reasonably be presumed
that the present generation shall see the sue
cessor OF st. Peter disappear from the list Of
temporal princes. The loss will be gain to
the Pope himself to the Catholic Church and to
the world.
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