The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-02-20

After the financial, undoubtedly the most
important question before Parliament, and the
country, is that of ecclesiastical reform. While
such countries as England are talking for one
or two generations about reform, without ar
irving at any result, this Italy of lively intell-
gence, is marching straight on to the end which
is kept steadily in view. Baron Ricasoi, a
member of one of the Oldest aristOCracies in
Europe, is a radical and revolutionist in the
truest sense. Instead of using the oppOrtuni-
ties of his position, and the powers of his fine
intellect, to maintain the privileges of class,
he is endeavoring to reorganize the religious
society OF Italy on basis Of justice and COM
mon sense; in fact, trying to restore to the
Church that character of honesty and simplicity
which the well-being of society demands, ana
which will enable the world to recognize in it
the religion established by Christ, and propa-
by His Apostles. -.7, . -..... - %.
You may safely rely upon it that the present
movement will not stop until the separation OF
Church and State is brought about, and the
priest is made to take his proper place in the
model is neither that of France Belgium or
England, but the extreme, thorough and most
advanced, if not nearly perfect system of Amer
lea. Each church shall be a religious society,
trusting to the people for support. Each
congregation, of whatever form or faith, shall
be on the same level with the rest, with no
privileges and no special protection. Every
citizen may select his own form of faith, and
worship as he chooses, without any questions
being asked and without any restraint, as long
as the laws are Obeyed and public order is not
disturbed. There is to be no punishment for
errors of opinion. s
If such plan is carried out any one can see
what change there must be, in a single gen
Grafton, in the sOcial condition of this country.
Our friends here must be felicitated upon the
happy prospect before them. Italy will be-
come a shining example to the rest of the
Catholic and to a part of the Protestant world.
With perfect freedom of religions worship, a
general system of public instruction, and
wise development of the national industries,
Italy must take conspicuous place among
the most advanced nations
But do not think that the ecclesiastics will
look ON with gentle spirit while these great
plans are carried out Their rage already
knows no bounds, and although it can only be
manifested by written or spoken words it is
not pleasant to witness. The Osservatore Ro-
mans in the last number, uses such language
as this, speaking of the Bill of Reform already
introduced into Parliament: GAN this
is nothing more than shape
less mass of hypocrisy and the
ludicrous, that would make us indeed, for the
first time, ashamed of ourselves as Italians,
did we not know that true Italians nObly and
Indignantly reject such low-born conceits,
which, under the cover of the vulgarest hypoc-
risy, do not reveal in those who put them forth
even the audacious courage of irreligion, or the
satanic greatness of error."-Florence Cores
pO7ldence of the ". Y. Times. ,fI...f .fit-t a..