Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-10-16

termination of the Pope's temporal
power BY the Italian occupation Of Rome
is probably the most wonderful and most
important event. After millennium OF
political sovereignty, the Pontif of the
Roman Catholic Church must submit
without an attempt at effectual resistance
So Judaism has outlived also this phase
in the worlds history and the inmates OF
the Roman Ghetto have suddenly acquired
the rights and privileges of Italian citi-
zeLs.
Next In importance is the position OF
German prelates and professors of theology
expressed in two different meetings
against the doctrine of infallibility, which
includes the notorious papal syllabus, the
declaration of implscable hostility against
modern science, constitutional govern
ment, against the entire fabric of modern
civilization. German prelates and profess
scrs must be aware that Catholicism as
construed by Plus TX and his Ecumenical
Council leaves no alternative to thinking
men, to be either Catholic altogether
and in perpetual hostility with socl,ty or
q damned hereto. Wherever reason and
practical life are in such an inevitable
conflict with the church, the latter must
be naturally the loser The Catholicism
of Plus TX cannot long exist in Germany,
Italy, France, England, America, or in
any other enlightened countries. IT the
Pope insists upon his constitution, he will
be the last of the chief pontiffs and ma
tionsl churches viii spring up.
The Republic of France is, in our
opinion, the great masterstroke of the
Genius of History. 1t matters not, in
the main, whether the Republic will be
upheld OF another monarch will sway the
sceptef of France hereafter. Every
French Republic has pushed Europe on
ward and forward, and so will this be-
yond the shadow of doubt. The first
French Republic has broken asunder the
chains of peasants and Jews in half of
Europe, and the French revolution of
1648 is the mother of all the liberty
which Germany, Austria and Italy now
enjoy. Only since 1S4S there exists such
thing as constitutional government in
those three countries. So will the present
French Republic, also, if destined to pass
away, leave deep imprint in the destiny
and fate of nations. We do not predict
the failure of the French Republic after
the nation has seen the entire failure of
their Imperial Government We. expect
the frame of 1870 is wiser than that of
1850. We have not stopped to inquire
how many Jews are members of the
Provisional Government; it sufices us to
know, for the sake of principle, that
Adolf Cremieux is one of them, while we
know that no Jew ever held an Office in
the Prussian Cabinet, although the Prus-
sian Jews are famous for the large num-
Der of distinguished intellects in their
midst ~ s-s--s uz-- -. -r7 -.
Next in importance is the voice of the
people, not only in England with her ire
mendous demonstration; in Baden and
Brunswick, where those foolish socialists
q 10 are sent to German prisons by the
grace of German princes, but also in Spain
and Italy. The King of Italy, by the
occupation of Rome, has turned the table
for a short time, and Mr.. Prim keeps the
Spsniards under his heel as best he can.
But the Democratic element of Europe is
so strong that one victory of the French
over the Prussians, in the field or in diplo-
macy, will shake all Europe to her very
center. The people all over the civilized
world begin to feel that human prosperity
and happiness in this sublime worlc de-
pend on peace, justice and freedom, which
can be permanently secured In the Repub,
lie only. Republics have no dynastical,
no feudal and no aristocratic privileges
and interest to protect, hence need nc
standing armies, no wars and no conquests.
The Republic is not afraid of the people
and needs no geradGrnaeS, no public spies,
no police, except to protect the communi-
ty against rogues and scoundrels; hence,
it can guarantee personal liberty to every
body. The universal Republic is the aim
of the nineteenth century. The main
pillars of the thrones, the nobility and he
clergy, as political powers are nearly de-
funct, and besides the sword and popular
folly no consolation is left to potentates.
They also are giving way to right and en-
lightenment. What was formerly called
the common people is now the most i'm
portsnt element in politics. That is too
important to escape anybOdy's attention.
1t is certainly wonderful sign of the
time that the American flag and American
representatives abroad are lauded and
cheered by the friends of liberty, and that
the intercessions of our Government are
looked upon in Europe as very important.
Armies, it appears, are not everything !;
the moral influence of public opinion and
the sympsthies or apathies of enlightened
nations count something in the sum total
of history. So, brutal force, the main
prop of thrones, appears to be subject to
the worlds moral feeling This is de-
cided progress. 1t is public opinion which
now overrides the POpe's temporal power,
and go it must. That same public opinion
may in q few years override the mon
archial institutions, and go they must as
sure as fate. We, here on this continent,
make good deal of that public opinion
by our very existence, by our power, our
wealth, our commerce, and chiefly by our
private letters, tons of which are sent
weekly to all parts of Europe and all
classes of people. The decided and unani
nous hostility of our people against any
government might damage it more seri-
ously than one would suppose. 1t ap-
pears somebody in Europe understands
this matter.
We cannot close our remarks on pass
ing events without referring to the re-
joicing in Protestant circles over the de-
cline of the Pspal power. "When thy
enemy falls rejoice thou not; when he
stumbles let not thy heart be glad, lest
the Lord see it and it might appear evil in
His sight" Those jubilant gentlemen
suppose it is Catholicism which is on the
decline, but this is not true; it is Christi
snity, it is Orthodoxy, is is positive re-
ligion as the dark ages of the past have
shaped it; it is the whole fabric all around
which shakes, which, like Papacy, is
destined to fall and to give way TO the
rising creed of humanity. The reform
ers in politics are the natural allies of the
reformers in religion. The Democratic
masses of Europe are as antagonistic to
churches and priests as to castles and
kings. II is new world, which rises
from the ruins of the old. This chapter
of history with this Church, this form of
government, and this structure of exist
ence closes now before our eyes, andlso a
new one with entirely new institutions
and new relations opens. So the dial
marks the time, however many may close
their eyes upon il. Eighteen hundred
and seventy closes marked cycle in the
worlds history A new era begins. 7.f
We clip the following from the Hunt
ingdon Courier of the 18th inst. On
Wednesday evening of last week, as the
Nashville bound passenger train was pull
ing out from Hollow Rock, in this county,
Mr.. James Chambers had hold of the ex-
press car, and while walking along talk
ing to the messenger, his foot struck a
bundle of shingles, precipitating him TO
the ground, and striking his breast across
a cross tie that was living by the side of
the track, which was all the injury be re-
ceived, as the train did not touch him.
When he arose the train wasgone, and he
went into his store, sat down before the
fire, and in few minutes complained OF