The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-08-09

tigued and fastened away, intending to
accomplish the descent from the mountain
in litter. This operation, however, proved
even more fruitful of discomfort than the
celebration of mass in the camp chapel. as
the cover of the litter cramped the knees
of the Holy Father that he insisted on
alighting: but he found it equally painful
to Ealk. as the ground was sodde,, with
rain, and the mud ankle deep, and he could
only succeed by catching at the rifles of the
soldiers wholined TIE way. Finally, the
fitgued Pontiff reached his carriage and
was conveyed to Grotto Ferrata.
ROME AND AUsrRIA.-We are no: at all
surprised by the irritation of the Austrian
Government at the recent Alteration Of the
Holy Father. 1t is not pleasant, even for
an emperor, to have his conduct denounced
by the Vicar of Christ as hostile to religion.
prejudicial to faith and morals, snbversive
of order, and inconsistent with good faith.
Such is the POpe's complaint against the
| recent lave made in Austria with reference
to public education and marriage, and the
complaint. unfortunately. is only too we'll
founded. Baron Beust may assume lofty,
airs in his dispatch to the diplomatic repre-,
sentative of Austria at Rome, and protest
| loudly as he can against foreign iuteTfer-,
ence in the inSernal administration Of the
empire. But this is idle wind. The Pope
does not interfere as foreign sovereign in
the domestic affairs of Austria. 1t is as
Head of the Church on earth that tive Holy
Father demonstrates against laws passed in
Catholic State, and with the sanction OF q
Catholic sovereign, against the discipline,
the laws, and the ancient rites Secured by
modern treaty. of the Church in Austria.
And when the Protestant head of the Aus
TRAN cabinet protests against the POpe's
reclamation against laws passed in fragrant
contrayention of the Concordat, we would
remind him that he was himself the loudest |
clamorer III Germany again the infraction !
t,f q QSfa in j. ENr
can Baron Beust OF his master expect that |
even the Treaty of Prague will be respected
by the cOnqueror of SadOwa. when they |
themselves are not deferred, by honor or
shame, from openly violating the treaty
freely entered into by the wlilom Kaiser
with the Pope as Vicar of Jesus Christ? We
don't wish to prophecy evil for Austria or
The House OF Hapsburg, because we don't
wish EVIL to either, but as sure rs right is
lght, and guilt is guilt, heavy Affections
ire III store for Francis Joseph if he persist
II the policy involved in the legislation
'ighteously condemned by the pope, and
permit his Saxon Minister to indulge in
protestant impertinences when addressing
he Holy See. The first downward step
aiken by the unfortunate Maximilian in
1eXlco was his breach of faith with Rome,
md his attempt to introduce into Mexico
nhdel ancestor, Joseph II, with regard to
'hurch government. The eldest brother of
laximiian should not lightly overlook the
esson. His grandfather. the son of Joseph,
vas Emperor of Germany, but twas stripped
# shat exalted rank, and he was himself the
rst sovereign i'll Germany as we'll as in
tally Now he is exiled from Italy and Ger
lany-drlven out of the former by France,
nd thrust cat of the other by the head of
family who were once, and that not so
,ng ago, vassals of his ancestors. 1t is a
reat descent in the scale of potentates, a
uge falling off in greatness, an immense
umiliation, but as there is a God above,
ould the impous reign of Joseph produce
ruit less bitter? Francis Joseph should
,ok to it. The history of the last seventy
ears teens with terrible warnings to his
ouse.