The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-08-10
The Roman Question and the Party Of
Action.


From the Times.
The announcement that Garibaldi has for
the present abandoned his intention of leading
a volunteer movement against the Papal
States, will hardly surprise those who know
anything of the impulsive character of the
Liberator, or of the conservative influences to
which, after all, he is generally subject.
Three weeks ago the Italian Party of Action
issued a proclamation, in which it was an
nounced that all the liberating Committees and
"Centres of Insurrection" had united in form
ing one supreme organization under the
name of "the National Roman Junta."
Faith and discipline were to be the
foundations of this new Society; all past
differences were declared to have been
healed; and the hour for decisive action
seemed to be so near at hand that the States
of the Church were really invaded at several
points. The aspect of affairs, indeed, had
become so threatening that the Roman Minis
ter, Antonell, had formally questioned the
four principal Catholic powers represented at
the Papal Court as to what their action would
be in view of the threatened invasion. The
Minister demanded especially that they should
ascertain If the Italian Government in def
ance of the September Convention, connived
at the movement; whether, moreover, the
insurrection should be allowed to take its full
sweep, in default of the pledge of the King of
Italy; and also whether, if within the CITY of
Rome itself the insurrection should break out,
the neutral powers would hold themselves
obliged to intervene.
There is no doubt that these interrogatories
were accompanied by the usual intimation-
conveyed in the form of a threat-that the
sovereign of Rome was prepared to surrender
his rights and retire from the seat of his do
minion, unless guarantee stronger than the
TAoI.o .fr.,.
the protection of the Church's estates.
The appeal of Cardinal Antonelli, it is GER
tain, was not made without effect. Austria and
Portugal, it is alleged ON good authority, were
less eager to give pledges for the independence
of the Holy See than France and Spain: but
the joint communication of these powers to the
King OF Italy, backed as it appears to have
been, in less formal manner, by representa-
tions from the British Minister at Florence
made it clear to the liberal as well as to the
conservative section of the Italian Government
If not also to the leaders Of the "Party of
Action" the movement against Rome
must be suppressed at all hazards.
Even those Italian statesmen-such as Baron
Ricasoli-who go the farthest in desiring a
divorce of the Church from the State, are
pledged against the violent overthrow of the
Roman Government. In that remarkable let
ter of last November, in which Ricasoli, in
viting the exiled bishops to return from Rome,
pays so magnificent tribute to the freedom
Of the Church in America, he yet prOclaims
his strong desire to see the authority of the
Pope maintained in its integrity. And but
few days after that letter Of the ex-Minister
was penned, the King of Italy himself in
opening his Parliament, used these wOrds:-
"The Italian Government, oDservant OF its
engagements, has respected, and will respect,
the Pontihcal territory. Our good understand
ing with the French Emperor, the moderation
| OF the Romans, the wisdom of the Pontiff and
the religious sentiment and right feeling OF the
italian people will, aid us TO distinguish aud
| conciliate the Catholic interests and the ma
| tional aspirations. respect the principle of
| liberty which breathes through our institu-
lions, and which, broadly and sincerely applied
will remove the old differences between Church
| and State. This disposition on our part, by re-
| assuring the Catholic conscience, will accom-
| plish, / hope, the wishes which form, that the
| Sovereign Pontin may remain Independent at
| Rome"
Such were the solemn declarations of the
King of Italy, in presence of the first Parlia-
ment of United Italy, after Venetia had been
restored to her proper place. They were
] declarations which had the approval of all