The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-08-11
The Austrian Rcd Book.

on the Irish Church, spoke of Austria as one
oil the countries in which the Papal power
mad vislbly declined. Count Beust, in some
ol the dispatches published in the Red Book
ehdeavors to convey the same lesson to the
unwilling ear of the Roman Court. If per
sonal reference had been consistent with
diplomatic propriety, the Chancellor of the
Austro-Hungarian monarchy might have
urged as an additional argument the remark
able fact that he is himself a Protestant 1t
seems, indeed, that the Roman government
finds paradoxical consolation in a circum-
stance which might well have been thought
fatal to its hopes; for Count Trauttmansdorf.
ambassador at Rome, has been unable
to convince Cardinal Antonelli that some
future Ministry may not reverse the
recent policy of Austria. 1t is doubtful
whether sagacious ecclesiastics really feel the
confidence which they deem it prudent to
profess. AS long as the Austrian bishops
unanimously prefer their foreign superior to
their country, the Pope and his advisers can
scarcely refuse to encourage their contuma-
cious loyalty to Rome. The majority of the
imperial family and a large part of the aris-
tocracy are opposed to the liberal designs of
the Minister and the conversion of the EN-
peror himself from bigotry and despotism is
still recent, though it is probably sincere; but
the Concordat has been renounced, not III
accordance with either theory or caprice, but
the administration of the empire. The ad-
vocates of Utramontane doctrines tacitly ad-
init that their system is incompatible with con-
sttutional government; would democratic
revolution in any way favor their pretensiOns.
AS Count Beust observes, the objects of the
Court of Rome could only be attained by
restoration of absolute monarchy; and 1t is
not even certain that a judicious despot would
repeat the error of the Emperors early ad-
vlsers by identifying his cause with the pre-
dominance of the clergy. There is no use in
br1bing willing supporters by eXtravagant
bounties. The extinct Concordat only secured
the adhesion of the classes which would in
any case have been devoted to absolute
royalty; and it was negotiated by dishonest
fanatics who were willing to barter the ma
tlonal interests for supposed advantages to
themselves to be enjoyed here or here
after. There was Parliament in
the days Of Joseph II, vino first
threw off the supremacy of Rome; and the
religious independence of Austria now rests
on broader foundation. Ministerial respon-
sibility, representing Parliamentary sove-
reignty, is the most effective conductor of
spiritual lightning. When the Austrian
bishops requested the Emperor to disregard
the vote of the Council of the Empire the
answer that he must be guided by the advice
of his ministers was entirely conclusive. 1t
might have been possible to play upon the
be neither utility nor satisfaction in cursing
hereto minister. The Pope himself was
driven in one of his Allocutions to
assert that the Austrian Constitution
was null and void; or, in other
words, that it was essentially incompatible
with claims which can scarcely prevail with
collective bodies. Long ago there were ex-
ceptional cases in which popular assemblies
allowed themselves to be directed by the
agents of the Church; but the alliance with
Rome of the French League, or of the rebel
Parliament of Ireland in the days of Charles
/, was temporary, and ultimately fatal to the
clerical faction. Ireland is at present the only
country in the world in which the majority of
constituencies is controlled by the Roman Ca
tholic priesthood. 1t is obvious that, if the
religious convictions of the people were really
disregarded by the constitutional Government
of Austria, the remedy for the grievances of
the Church would be, not the restoration of
despotism, but an appeal to the suffrage of the
electors.
1t is perhaps impossible that the Govern
ment of Roman Catholic State should re-
gard the approaching Gcumenical Council
with the indifference which prevails in non
conforming countries. In the estimation o
Englishmen, of Americans, or of North Ger
mans, the council furnishes the same kind of
excitement which might be caused by the an
nouncement of an exhibition at Paris, or of a
ton Count Beust, having a somewhat closer
relation to the affairs of Rome, instructs his
envoy in substance to say that the council
NAV do what it likes, but that it will not be
allowed to interfere with Austrian institu
tions. Perhaps but little courage is required
to exercise a phosphorus ghost The dangers
which threaten Austria have nothing t.
do with the friendship or enmity of Rome
The Pope cannot ALLEVIATE Hungary from tn
reigning dynasty, nor stimulate Revolutionary
movements in the German provinces, nor cal
he ally himself with heretical Prussia or wit
Is Russian schism. Italy is even more rebel
hous than Austria against Papal supremacy
and in Eastern as in German questions Aus
tria and France have a friendly understand
ing. 1t appears not yet to have occurred
the promoters of the council that the unan
nifty of the assembled prelates will be that {
a sect The nominal members of the Churc
may still be counted by tens of millions, bl
the laity is no longer either represented
governed by the clergy. The proposed excl
sion of Catholic princes from the place whiC
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. occupied in former coul
ellis is in itself confession of political dec
dence. 1t was only when governments wei
prepared to recognize the authorit
of councils that they were COZ
cerned to watch the shaping of the decree
bv which themselves or their subjects were
r. be bound. 1t is for the clergy and their Leaf
ers to consider whether their power will
increased as the reins of discipline a
n tiphtened, and the limits of permitted FIRE
dom of thought successiyely contracted
Austria, France, and Spain will watch Il
proceedings of the council with curiosit
and perhaps with faint anxiety as far