New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-12-03

question not their will, but their power Let
us, then, not cast about for the means OF
proppng up Resumption, but simply and
promptly RESUME.
THE NEW EUROPEAN CONFERENCE.
When Louis Napoleon proposed new Con-
ference for settling the Roman question, it
was by no means certain whether he would
submit to the Conference any definite plan.
Napoleons views in the past have been noted
neither for frmness nor for consistency, and as
regards the Roman question, in particular, he
has in turn held or at least professed 70 hold,
the most divergent views. AS member OF the
Constituent Assembly Of France in 1913, no was
an opponent Of the French Expedition which
put an end to the Roman Republic, and several
letters to prominent Liberals are extant, in
which he strongly asserts views on the Roman
| question which agree with those held by
the Republican papers Of Europe. Since
then. he seems to have been celebrating some
NapoleOnic idea of his own, compromising, as
is usual in Napoleonic theories between con-
servative and liberal views, between the
inflexible claims of tho Papacy and the
national aspirations of Italy. The chief points
Of the programme, as from time to time OIL
cially and semi officially indicated, were re-
duction of the Temporal Power to the city of
Rome. combined with a large degree Of
municipal sef-govemment for that city, and
the right TO send Deputies TO the Italian Par
lament. AT the same time. the Catholic
Powers Of tho world were to form special
alliance for the mutual guarantee OF the IN
pendence of the Holy See.
The idea has found few friends except its
author and his official organ, the Moniteur. The
Pope, and with him all who adhere to the letter
of the Church law on political affairs, treat every
diminuton Of the Temporal Power as grave
offense against the Church, punishable by the
severest censures. The organs of this view
have, therefore. frequently assailed the French
Government for harboriDg and encouraging
opinions wholly un-Catholic concerning the
Temporal Power, and the first sovereign who
showed an open opposition to the proposed
Conference was the Pope. Subsequently he
has accepted it, but he expressly protests be-
forehand against any attempt to curtail IN the
least hisIsOvereign rights.
The reception Of the Emperor's proposition
at the other European Courts does not seem to
! have been much more favorable. England, as
Lord Stanley officially announced IN the Parlia-
ment does not like TO take part in General
Conference before il knows exactly what solu
ton Napoleon intends TO propose. Italy has
Likewise demanded some explanations before
she will give her adhesion TO the Conference.
The replies of the other European Powers are
not yet known, but papers which are generally
WE'LL informed Of the intentions of the Prussian
and the Russian Governments show that these
States, like England, hesitate, and that they
are not willing to cooperate for tho main
tenance of the Temporal Power as it now eT-
lists. Some of the second and third-rate States
Of Europe, which have eagerly accepted the
invitation received from Napoleon. may DO
found willing TO second his proposition that some
kind of independence should be secured to the
Head Of the Catholic Church; but it is doubtful
whether. of all the State Governments of Eu-
rope, any one except that of Spain will vote for
guaranteeing to the Pope his Temporal Power as
it exists at present. Nearly all will, like En-
gland, decline to assume the least responsibility,
and intimate that France had no reason to inter
fere in Italian affairs. OF the Pariaments of
Europe, those of England, Prussia, Austria, HOl-
land, Belgium, Portugal, Switzerland, the Scandi-
navian Statcs,!would be sure to sympathize more
with the position of the Italian than with that of
the French Government Louis Napoleon him.
self seems to be aware that European Confer
ence on the Roman question will not lead to
results very pleasing to the Pope or favorable to
hh Own idea. lie therefore carefully refrains
from everything that would indicate fixed plan
Oh his part; oil he asks is a meeting of the Euro
pean Governments for consulting on question
which concerns them all. Whatever, then, may DO
the fate of the Pope he has dissatisfaction of hav-
ing once more taken the lead in European affairs,
and 10 have seted as the protector OF tho smaller
States.
II the Conference should meet at all, 1t is
not likely to agree upon an immediate solution
of the Roman question, but it may smooth
the way for "a future solution in the
sense of the Italian Government Public
opinion in this, as in every other great ques-
tion, will exert some influence. DespOtic gov
einments may for while repress it, but when
it once is firmly grounded it cannot be con-
quered, and aided by favorable juncture OF
circumstances, will ultimately sweep away all
barriers.
If the question Of Mayor lay between Hoh-
man and Wood tho only DOint which tax