The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-09-02

Italy is yearning and struggling for nationa
unity; but the Pope stands In the way. Tn
Slavonlc and Greek populations of Turkey ar,
struggling for position among the Christian
nations of the earth. Western Europe, or a
least the governments, affects to believe that the
rule of the "sick man" is wise dispensatior
| of Providence.
| Everywhere we find the traditions and in
situations of ages of conquest and violence
coming in conflict with the legitimate aspira-
lions and tendencies of the people. The
struggle may be long, but its issue cannot be
doubtful On every side we find the question
of nationalities to be the question taken up
by the people, and as such destined to con-
quer. No efforts of diplomacy, no tricks Of
cabinets, can prevent the union of populations
Of the same race, language and tendencies.
There are few better examples of the
vitality of a great idea than that
afforded by the history of the move
ment begun in Bohemia in the fifteenth GEN.
fury. The question of nationalities, supposed
to have been set at rest forever by force of
arms, has become the leading idea of Europe,
and its realization is of prime necessity. With
a united Italy and Germany, with constitu-
tional France, satisfied with the rank which
her natural genius and her geographical posi-
ton may enable her to maintain, and not in
spired by the vain belief that she is and
must be of necessity the first Of nations,
Europe might follow the example of America
by disbanding her armies and paying her
debts She might then educate her ignorant
populations, instead of overburdening them
with taxes and military service.
The religious movement in Bohemia was
very different from Professionalism of century
later. The object of the struggle was to
retain certain amount of local independence
in the churches of different countries without
separating from communion with Rome-an
endeavor to reconcile liberty with unity.
A similar attempt was made in France, but
without success. If the Bohemian and CALI
can movements had succeeded constitution
alism might have become the form of govern
ment In the Catholic Church and reform made
possible without revolt.
Since 1t was announced that an Ecumenical
Council was to be held at Rome during the pre-
sent year we have taken deep interest in It's
probable issue. Many persons, judging from
the encyclicals, the syllabus and different
allocutions pronounced in the Vatican, suppose
that decided stand will be taken against the
most cherished tendencies Of the age, and that
Pins TX will anathematiZe modern civilization
as unholy and unchristian. IT. however, Rome
has retained even a portion of that wisdom
which so distinguished her in other times, we
may venture to think that this course will not
be taken. She will perceive that the main
question Is one government. By the introduce
ton Of a rigid system of Imperialism into the
administration of the Church the Papal power
puts itself in opposition to every modern de-
velopment If the Pope but reads Alright the
signs Of the times he will be able to provide
for himself surer support than can be OBJ
tanned by opposing reforms in Austria and en-
listing zouaves in France and Canada. This
support will not be obtained by struggling
against whatever Is most valued by the present
age, but by bidding Godspeed to all the legiti.
mate strivings of the people. By liberalizing
the internal administration of the Church and
by making himself the senior Bishop OF
Christendom-the position of the Pope would
be such as to need neither zouaves nor Chasse-
pots, of which, as temporal sovereign and abso-
Lutte Chief of the Church, he seems to be in
need