The New York herald., 1868-04-13
ROME.
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE OF THE HERALD.

The Modern Crusade-En0rts Of the Jesuits
ThrOughOut Christendom-The Canadian Vol.
unteers-Perfect Equipment and large Pro-
visisn Of Funds-DesertiOns from the Antibcs
LegiOn-Lacien BOnaparte-Cardinal Ant0.
nelli and Mgr. Berardi-Thc Coming Ecu.
menical Council.
ROME, March 20, 1868.
Since the days when the holy wars drew fighting
men from all Chrstendom to do battle against the in
fdel In Palestine, Europe has such polyglot
militia that which is assembled to defend the
patxmony Of the Church. The unceaslng efforts of
the Jesuits, powerfully aided by their perfect
gRrizaton all over the world, have induced move
ment among the Catholic faithful best defined as
nineteenth century crusade for the defence Of Rome
against Italy and revolution instead of the deliver
ance OF Jerusalem from the Saracen. The modern
warriors of the animated by an enthusiasm
or fanaticism little less fervid than that which
glowed In the breasts OF the mighty nuutudes ex-
cited by the preaching of Peter the Hermit. AS
regards sacrifice of all worldly interests to the
cause, the crusader OF to-day yields in no way to
his prototype The Pontifcal army IL full OF men,
some OF the highest rank, who have resigned opu-
lence and dignity and are now serving under St.
Peters banner as simple private soldiers. These
men would defend Rome to the last extremity but
would still more gladly be engaged in the recovery of
the P0pes dominions This, in fact, is the object
deeply at heart, and his Holiness would doubtless
consider the restoration OF Umbria and the Marches
to the Papal See even a more righteous and desir
able consummation than the recovery OF Palestine
from the Turk. To Plus TX. and the ultramontansts
Victor Emanuel and Garbaldi are as hateful and
abomnable as ever Saladln and his infdel host ap-
peared to the first crusaders Whenever therefore
any future complications in Europe NAV cripple or
embaass Italy II is certainly to be expected that his
Holiness will exchange defensive for offensive tactics
Meanwhile recruiting goes on more brlskly than
ever. Volunteers constantly arrive from all quarters
and "the cry Is still they come ~ The Pontifical
legionaries now comprise natives OF every
Catholic state in Europe as well as Catholics
including a few Persians. The recent arrival
of the first batch OF Canadian volunteers
numbering $50 men, brought with them the OF
200, 600 francs for their maintenance The next COM
pany OF $50 are to bring further sum OF 800, 900
francs. Immediately upon arriving in Rome the Ca.
madam volunteers marched, with colors flying and
music playing TO the Piazza San Piero where they
dehed before the Pope, who had stationed himself at
one OF the windows OF the Vatican. Their smart,
bust appearance and the perfection OF their equip
ments elected admiration from all, except, OF course,
those OF the Romans who would rid themselves of
the PontIfca government and bitterly hate the for
eigners who come 10 keep the yoke upon their neck.
After marching past his Holiness the volunteers en-
tered the Cathedral OF ST. Peter pray at the Apos-
ties tomb The Canadians, as / have already in
formed YOU, will form u distinct battalion OF about
1900 men, when they have all reached Rome. When
the present detachment arrived they had with them
q very handsome white silk fiag embroidered with
gold and precious stones bearing the triple crown
and cross keys on one side and the Canadian arms
the other, with the motto, Love God and 90 for
ward" They received an intimation, however that
the Ponthca colors were white and yellow, and
that they could not, therefore, carry nag entirely
white Orders were Immediately given for the man.
uacture OF a new standard of the right coors, OF
equally rich materials the one condemned by
the papal authorities, and equally gorgeous orna-
mentation.
While recruits are thus arriving desertions are
thinning the French portion OF his Holiness defend
ers The Antibes legion, consisting wholly Of French
men and still held TO belong to the French army has
ever since its formation been distinguished by an in
Veierae tenuency 10 ucsertion SO serious did the
evil become IA TO necessitate the mission OF General
Dumont TO Rome, at which Italy was much aggrieved
at the time, llttle anticipating then the renewal Of
French intervention. General Dumont reorpanized
the legion and made strong appeal TO the honor of
the corps az French soldiers. Severe punishmeuts
were also decreed against future deserters one of
which was relegation to the French stpinary
companies or condemned regiments In Africa. Lat
tcrly, however, dcsertiOD has become more frequent
than ever DESPITE the increasing severity with which
any delinquents caught are treated. IL must
be remembered that the men OF this legion
are either time-expred French soldiers or
volunteers from French regiments I'm SER
vice. Increased pay, change OF scene and light duty
temptations which attract many to the Papal
service, but the French soldier very speedily weary
or Rome. lie is devoured by ennui and has little
taste for the police work TO which lie Is condemned
In Rome or the brigand hunting in the provinces.
Another source OF disgust is. the frequency
tend mass. TO Frenchmen, on whom religious
duty sits very lightly, this enforced devotion s pecu
ary rksome; and when II is further taken into ac.
count that the Eternal City furnishes no diversion
for the mems leisure hours, u NAV be Imagined with
what entclng colors return to Ia belle France pre-
sens Itself, despite the risk OF arrest and punish
mont. Desertions now occur OF the rate OF thirty
week on an average and the PoDtGcal military au-
thofitNs are increasing the rgor OF punishment,
although hitherto without effect In checking the evil
Among the Zouavc corps, consisting for the most
part Of gentlemen volunteers deseriion is almost
Ton thopsand Reminoton breoch ioa,,,u x,aos