Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-12-14

DJrrhe occupation Of the city Of Rome by
Italian troops is regarded as little less than
sacrilege by many of the Catholics Of other
countries, and efforts will be made to get up
modern crusade for the purpose of restor-
ing to the Pope the temporal power recently
wrested from him. Some of the leading
Catholic cergymen of this country have al
ready denounced the King of Italy and the
Italians, aud it is evident that the end is not
yet.
The Pope himself refuses to make terms
with the Italian government, and some of the
newspapers there arc speaking Of him in "A
manner anything but respectful. The King
has not yet visited the capital Of his kingdom,
and there is some reason to doubt whether he
will 20 there. If he does, the Pope declares
that he will not grant him an interview either
in public or private, and the present occupant
of the pontifcal chair is so firm believer
in his own infallibiiiy that he is not apt to
change his mind. 1t is intimated that he is
restrained by force from leaving the city.
A correspondent of the Boston Pilot, writ
ing from Rome thus speaks Of the present
condition of affairs in that city, and of the
remedy proposed
TnE PopE Is PRISONER That is the be-
ginning and the end of all the sorrow that
now saddens the heart Of Catholics through
out the world. That is the cause Of the sim
ful and debased condition in which this Holy
City is now found. Time after time the jour
mails Of Italy attempt 10 make their yotaries
believe that the Pope is free All who are
here in Rome, all who think Of the state
of affairs here. know how diaboically false
ia teaching, how given to lying, the Italian
journals are. The infdel journals Of Ger
many, and the almost intdel journals Of Eng
land re.echo the ialsehoods Of Italy, until
over half the world a network Of lies spreads
its dangerous Ineshes For US there Is no
higher earthly authority than the Holy Fa-
Their himself Had the Italian journals the
slightest modicum Of common sense they
would see the futility Of their opposition.
Do one million Of Catholics accept their die
tum as true On the other baud there are
two hundred millions-and over-who accept
She word Of the Pope, and who believe him
rather than these nameless scribes. The forces
are unequaly matched, as il is to be hoped
Italy may learn to her cost
There is one thing only in which, after
God, we Catholics can place our trust, in the
presence Of the tremendous outrage that has
been done to us in the person of our Father,
and in the Holy City-the home and posses
sion Of Catholics throughout the world
There is no possible appeal to be made to
Italy through the justice of her generosity.
These are, in her ears, but the signing Of the
wind that has no meaning. Our bishops
may protest, and the congregations may APP
peal to governments, and still Italy may hold
her prisoner captive, aud spoil the property
of Catholics beyond redemption. The sug.
+. gestion that Italy will make terms with the
European governments for the independence
of the Sovereign Pontif is only means OF
bathing our hopes as Catholics. If we press
our government to act in the matter, it must
be done with the Interchangeable condition that
the Pope shall be re-instaied that Italy shall
undo her work, and give pledges for her
future good behavior. Nothing short Of that
will be effective. In any other circumstance
the Pope will be the slave Of Italy, aud in
deed in most cases IL will be the King who
will be the actual ruler Of the Christian
world. We must have all, or nothing. If
the government do not act, then the last re-
source, the most effective Of all, on account
of the Interests TO which 1t appeals, must be
tried-a and that is FORCE There is no other
means which can be tried that Italy will
listen 10; and that appeal is just, as the past
has ssiown and with the immense resources
OF numbers aud wealth that Catholics possess,
there is little fear for its success
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