The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-10-18
the contest Around Rome.

CItp There are issues AZ btake u Uh@' "VN-
Test which are too great to be grasped by the
human intellect There can be little or no
doubt but that the temporal and spiritual
futyre of the Catholic Church hangs sus-
nanded ON the decision. We recognize as well
as any one the great vitality Of the Roman
faith: but if the Holy Father is compelled to
fee either 10 Bavaria or America, the Church
will receive such shock as it seems impos
sible for 1t to recover from. 1t has undergone
reverses in the past. II is not the first time
that the Head Of the Church has been driven
from his seat on the Seven Hills, but Il is the
first time that he has been eriled by the action of
the people. Kings before now have driven him
away, but the change of a dynasty has
restored him; but the organization of republic
at Rome, such as is now contemplated, will pre-
Cluda eternally all chance Of his restoration. The
great power of the Church is founded on
its traditions. There fingers around the Vicar
of Christ, seated in the palace in which his
predecessors have sat for eighteen hundred
years, a halo of traditional sanctity we'll oalcu-
lated to impress both the learned and the igno-
rant. The power of the Church is to great
extent based on this traditional grandeur of
the Holy See. If the charm be broken now,
and the head of all that impressive system be
driven an exile from his palace, the whole
faith and power Of the people will be shaken.
And ii seems as though his days of power
were numbered. If we can rely on accounts
furnished us, the armies of the people are
closing in on the city, and its capture is not
70, D.. a
extent thank himself The provinces of the See
have for years been the worst governed of any
Europe. Theautocrat of Russia exercises mild
sway when compared with that of all the car
dinals and priests in the Pontifcal States. The
result is natural, and the popular dissatisfac-
tion closes against Pic Mono all hope of help at
home, while France seems willing to see him
fee from the Vatican. The lesson is instructive.
1t was Clovis, Pepin, and Charlemagne who
made Stephen II and innocent III, and it is
their successor who now lets Plus TX be
overthrown. The world has moved since
Gregory the Great held all Christendom in
the hollow of his hand, and had all kings and
emperors on their knees suing for his favor.
1t is not the same world which saw Zachary,
and Innocent, and Robert II, and Charles the
Fat, which sees Plus and Napoleon III. 1t
may be that before five years more have rolled
away, he who claims to hold his office direct
from st. Peter will have ceased to be even a
nominal power on the earth.
Nor do we think that the intelligence re-
ceived from Europe this morning will really
amount to any cause for delay on the approach
ing fate Of the Roman power. The news, If
true, is of the highest importance. The
Emperor Napoleon, it is said, has resolved
to intervene Immediately for the settle
ment of the Roman question, but without
acting any longer in conjunction with the
Italian Government; while the Paris Moniteur,
the organ of the French Government, violently
assails the Italians, charging them with viola
ting the laws of nations, disregarding treaties,
and fostering dangerous spirit of republ-
canism in Italy.
These are evidently intended as Fremont
tory symptoms of what the Government O.
France desires, and are rather feeling of the
national pulse than any express declaration
of unalterable determination. There is more
than one party, however, to be consulted
before the decision of the French Emperor can
be of any weight. 1t remains to be seen
whether the Italian Government will
submit to be unceremoniously set aside in
the final settlement of this Roman question.
The sentiment Of the Italian people is so
unanimously in favor of taking possession of
Rome, that the Government of Victor Emanuel
viii find it difficult matter to avoid con-
test. It remains, too, to be seen what course
Prussia win take. When Italy lately signi-
fed her desire to be relieved from the Septem-
Der treaties, Prussia was said to favor her
wishes. 1t hardly admits of doubt that a
secret treaty exists between Italy and Prus-
sia, and that Prussia, if the hour Of trial
comes, will not fail to powerfully support hel
recent ally in the great war with Austria.
The desire of France just now is peace,
and rather than sacrifice peace in an un,
popular cause, and bring about a war with
Europe, the willy Emperor will let His Holmes,
seek, in any other quarter of the globe. :
refuge from his enemies. Whether Franc,
really intends anything depends on Prussia
and that Prussia will fail to help Italy ca,
hardly be possible. But hourly the end come
nearer. Ii is already at hand.
Tho California Election for Judge.