The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-12-06
The Republic, in Spain.

Spain that the question may soon pIeeeno
itself, Is a republic possible in that coun-
tryP In other words, has the Christi an
world entered upon the era OF Repuoics \
There is no doubt that the warfare OF the
church with evil is of all shapes; not oniy
spiritual, but ply steal not merely moral
but social and political. In the same way
it's progress and its triumphs have not
alone been in extending the Faith, but IN
developing every interest Of man, his COM
fort. his intelligence, his liberty. This
movement is not always visible, but 1t Is
always onward. The current Is sometimes
strewn with wreck and ruin and Its sur
face driven in retrograde waves by an op-
posing storm, but its impetus is not stayed.
Is the Republic progressf The Jews
were the chosen people of Faith, and they
decided in favor of Monarchy, but the Al
mighty was not pleased with this choice'
thou 9Th he acq uiesced in it as punishment
of their pusillanimity. In its own organi-
cation the Church has given no place TO
Aristocracy, and it is the birthplace OF
genuine Democracy, yet 1t does not prefer
one form of legitimate government to an
other. 1t has set the example of perfection
in all things while accepting and protecting
institutions which it found existing, and
which were better borne with In their I'M
perfection for time than supplanted by
more perfect sy stems for which society was
not prepared. 1t is better, indeed, to run
than to walk with crutches, but not for a
man with broken leg.
+ Will Christian society generally ever be
sufficiently intelligent and virtuous to imi-
tate with safety the institutions OF tie
Church, in its political government Can
it ever dispense with the sacred character
which tradition throws around hereditary
| royalty, the veneration attracted by an IL
lustrious ancestry, and, like the ecciesias-
| teal body, confer its honors and Its respect
| upon individual merit alonef
Upon this question the Church only says
that each form of government is best where
| in it is most in accordance with the genius
of the people. 1t accepts all, and prefers
none. The tendency of this age is evil
IDENTIFY towards Repubiicanism, and all that
Catholic Republicans must claim for 1t Is
that it is one of the family oflegitimate goSss
ernments, neither an outcast of the Church
nor q special favorite
The theory has been advanced by the
abiest Catholic lay writer Of France, and
under the very baton of imperial censor
ship, that the Royal Era of Christendom
. has virtually reached its term and must
soon crumble away. Monarchy, he says,
has been tried and found wanting. 1t has
from the beginning been a contumacious
son. and has now. finally allied itself fully
and universally with infidelity and religious
oppression.
/ These studies of q profound thinker seem
to be fortified by the course of recent events.
England is drifting calmly and majesticai-
" towards popular rule and the abrogation
of hereditary power. Spain is in the throes
of a revolution which already stretches one
hand towards Republicanism, and now we
are told that Germany is heaving with the
universal surge which appears to GENE from
the very foundations of social existence
Thrones are rocking.
If the theory is correct if the Era OF
Royalty is passing while that of Republi-
canism dawns if the human heart is kim
died with the spark of n new social life, anc
the current of humanity has commenced
to move towards self government, the
movement will be irresistible and univer
sal 1t will be unnecessary to discus
s whether this or that people is prepared TO
5 it. If seed is scattered abroad, it viii
j, spring up in due season in greater or les
i perfection as the soil is better or wors'
). prepared for it. The only question is, Ina
: the season comet
T But not being prophets, we can oni.
: speculate on these things Hereditar.
: rank and power may continue to sway TIL