The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-07-14
GERMANY.

The Standpoint of Luther's Defiance to the
POpe-WOrms City-Its Changes and
Modern Glory-Tbe Catholic Burgomastcr in
Toast of the Monument-Eniivenins Scene
Foreign Visitors to the Jewish Synagogue.
FRANKFORT, June 81, 1868.
The old town OF Worms has been the scene of a
glorious festival. About hundred thousand people
OF all parts OF the world had assembled there to wit
the inauguration OF the monument to Luther,
on the same spot where In 1921, he threw down the
gauntlet to the omnipotence Of the Pope, with the
ever memorable words:-"Here I am; have
not been refuted; j cannot retract; may God
assist me.r Since that time the old town
had much TO suffer- Under Louis XIV, Melac,
one OF the lieutenants OF Turenne, burned and
sacked it, and what remained OF the inhabitants were
compelled to return to the Catholic creed. Three
quarters OF the town have thus disappeared and
never rebuilt. 1t then on the bank
OF the Rhine from which IL is now
at a distance OF an English mile. The majority OF
the population being now Catholic, the concord
aud sympathy which prevailed at this festival are
striking proof Of the deep root liberty OF conscience
has taken in this country.
Besides the Kings of Prussia and Nuremberg the
Duke OF Hesse and other German Princes, more
than 1900 Protestant cergymen had arrived from
all parts. Conspicuous among them were those from
England and America. clergyman from Chicago
arrived first and brought to the committee the hand
some gift OF 5000, which, Of course was not ex-
pected. Some OF the English guests inveighed
loudly against the attempts now made In England to
bring Catholicism back by side way. The Bishop
OF oxford was particularly mentioned q traitor to
Professionalism who tried 10 injure the cause his duty
was support.
or the festivities there Is little to say OF course
there were the usual sermons and speeches, dinners
and toasts. The Burgomaster OF Worms, himself q
Catholic, praised In high terms the immortal services
Luther had rendered to the liberty OF conscience and
70 the cause Of civilization by the translation of the
Bible into German, by which reading came In gen.
eral use schools sprung up and the learning OF Ger
many dates from that time. In this way. he said,
Luther has been benefactor to Catholics as WELL
The monument il q success. II shows Luther on a
pedestal, ten feet high before the Diet his protect
ors-the Elecor OF saxony and the Landgrave OF
Hesse--at his side; his friends Melanchthon and
keuchn at ms back; his predecessors in the cause
the TWO martyrs, Hugo and Savonarola, and
WiCkllie and Wadus on his left, and sit
ting before him the statues OF the three towns
whose historical acts az the time Of the Reforma-
ton are recorded. There is Splre, where the pro-
test made which has given Professionalism is
name: Augsburg. where the FIRST temporary settle.
ment was made. AMI Magieburg, the last depora.
be victim Of TIE saatlcism or the League. IN the
evening q complimentary telegram came from Queen
Victoria, which was answered ID ihc choral societies
with the English national anthem SplCnidr exc.
cuted ny tne best singers oi sue choral societies OF
the neighborlnr towns
There were neither soldiers nor police on the spot
still the festivities passed off without the smallest
disorder.
Many of the guests paid visit to the Jewish syna.
gogue, the Oldest In the world 10 Is old rs Chris
iianity: still as the Jews have neither pictures nor
relics, only such antiquities 10 be have
been used for religious service In oden times There
are some OF the eleventh century the genuineness OF
which can be proved.
The King OF Prussia and the Crown Prince came
through here where they held a review and left for
Berlin. The King was most liberal In promises to-
wards the Burgomaster and, should they be fulfilled
settlement OF the differences yet pending between
this town and his government might be expected
In fact. The good intentions OF the King were never
matter Of doubt: but his ministers are hard 10 dea
with. The Crown Prince visited the picture gale
ries and then went to the swimming school, where
he mixed with the boys who resort there. He proved
consummae swimmer.
There IL nothing to report about the Bourse
Americans are 1rm; but the price cannot much vary
a. long a. gold Is at lao. Auetrians are dull. The
corn markets rm, In consequence OF unsatisfac-
tory reports from France, where the drought has
done much harm,