The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1870-10-09
T1'hs Paqppacy.


to the anti Catholic world, which has been
ENJOYING, by anticipation, the downfall and
probable flight of the Holy Father. Inc
italian King respects his title as Sovereign
and agrees that he shall retain a portion
of Rome, known as the Leonine City,
completely independent of all princes anu
powers. This would be compromise by
which Rome could be, in one sense, at tne
same time Capital of Italy and OF the
Christian world. The italian frenzy for
Rome as Capital would be gratified, while
the independence and dignity of the. Papacy
would be secured. This is probably the
best that Victor Emmanuel can do without
compromising himself with the radical
element in Italy, and is proof of truth In
the assertion, so often made OF late, tha1
there has been great change for the better
in the spiritual condition of that monarch.
His constitution and health are such that
death might strike him at any instant
without creating surprise, and it is reason
able to suppose that he grows more anxious
to secure o heavenly kingdom as the earthly
one seems more ready to pass from his
hands.
But the arrangement offered, though the
most favorable, perhaps, that can be made
under the circumstances, is at best but
lame one. 1t confers or recognizes rights
which may be swept away in a moment at
the caprice Of one government. The inten-
tions of the present king may be good, but
his successor may be actuated by very diff
ferent sentiments. In that case there
would be nothing to prevent him from an
ducing the Pope to the absolute condition
of q subject. The status of his Holiness,
under the proposed system, would be at
best externally restricted and powerless,
but the worst feature would be its want OF
guarantees for permanence. 1t would be
far better that such guarantees should be
given by those great nations, whose sover-
eigns originally conferred temporal power
on the Papacy, and if they should hereafter
interfere to that effect, it is not probable
that they would stop with that. They
would, in all probability, re-establish the
Papal States, with some regard to their
former boundaries.
Such action on their part would not be
at all in conflict with the principles of true
Republicanism, aud could consistently be
had, even though France and other Ca
tholic powers should be Republics at that
time. We know that great stress is laid
upon the fact that the popular tendency of
the day is towards self-government, in
stead of the disposal of populations by an
agreement among crowned heads, and that
the existence Of Papal sovereignty ought
to be left to the free choice of the people
embraced within the proposed States.
This principle is general rule of Republics
anism, which, like other general rules, has
it's exceptions. The district of Columbia
is a standing and noted instance of these
exceptions. Notifications and government
properties of all kinds are other exceptions.
The general government must have places
sacred to its peculiar operations and works,
independent Of the whims and caprice of
the local population. Suppose the people
of the District of Columbia should vote that
Congress must not meet in Washington
and that they will not consent to give up
their inherent right to self-government, or
suppose the citizens within a fortified place
should vote for the removal of the walls,
it is evident that the principle of self
government would have to yield to pnblic
necessity in these and similar particulars.
In the same way the nations might agree
that a certain territory should be set apart
for the sessions of a general congress of ma
tons and they could guarantee its consecra-
ton to that purpose under all circumstan
ces of peace or war aud Independently of the
wishes of the people who might chance to
live within it's limits.
Why, then, may not the Christian world
set apart certain territory for the tempo
raj government of the Holy Sect The
general necessity of Christendom cannot
be postponed to the views of local popu-
lation. Otherwise, perhaps, in no place of
the world could the necessary independ
ence of the Papacy be secured. No gov
eminent hesitates to appropriate lands for
the construction of its own works or any
of public importance. If necessary the
land of the proposed States could be ex-
propriated and paid for, the inhabitants
remaining there if they chose, as tenants,
or going elsewhere if dissatisfied with the
government. This, however, could not be
necessary, since the title of those States
oiven tn tho Hn1v Inv fhooa h.