The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1870-10-09
The Robbers March on Rome.

lu0 nODDGrS mdrCn on Rome.
Such is a fitting heading to what would
represent the present attitude of the ruler
of Italy. Notwithstanding that he has
tilched whatever he could lay his hands ON
though nothing was sacred from his
sacrilegious grasp; though his tyrannical
prerogative has been stretched to it's ut
most tension-though all this and more has
been done to satisfy an Unsuitable aud dis
honest craving for dominion, Victor EN-
manuel is Observation-Disclosures in honor,
credit aud pocket. He is in possession of
Rome. He has intrigued for il. He has
falsifed his pledges to accomplish it. He
has forsworn his obligations to God to gain
his nefarioas ends. He is in possession of
Rome-and the surrounding nations have
not word of apprehension. Two numbers
ago we gave some thoughts on this subject
taken from contemporary in London. In a
similar strain, but much more eloquent and
pointed, we find the Dublin Nation dwell
on the same theme, particularly that aspect
of it which strips the mask from the Eng
lish mind when it pretends to be shocked
posed to dream of annexing Holland or Bel
GUM! How execrable the design was de-
clared to be! How grand was the virtuous
indignation against the "lawlessness," the
"covetousness," The "rapacity" of those who
would for their own ACKNOWLEDGEMENT in
| wade and annex small neighboring States !!
Yet, if we hearken just now we shall hear
k1,oo l. x,1,< b. L.,
deeply concerned for public morality, so
vfrtuously averse to invasion and annexa-
ton, SO nobly anxious for tho protection of
the weak against the strong, applaud an
invasion and annexation the most unpro-
voked, the most lawless, the most iniquit-
GUS perpetrated in Europe since the dis
memberment of Poland Victor Emmanuel
of the empty exchequer, like every other
swindler running the swift career of guilt
and crime, finds he must have "more." So
he will go to Rome" AS thief has al
ways a genteel eupheism for stealing, King
Victor would net-for sthe world use the
vulgar phrase "invasion." He will only
ego" to Rome, as gentlemanly highway
man would ego" for purse, or as a pick
pocket would Ego" for a watch. After the
iniquitous revelations in the Persano cor
respondence, specimens of which we pub
lisled in the MORNING STAR some time
ago-as to how demonstrations" cad
dresses" and Instructions were got up
to order in the Papal States, according as
the invasion schemes of the Turin Govern
ment required them, so the mockery of a
ptebescitum will now now play it's part-a
part too trivial, and which the invaders
might have dispensed with. That kind of
thing is too well understood now. In for
mer robberies these tricks deceived very
few just now they can deceive no one.
But Italy would any day prefer robbery,
with even tho barren forms of cunning,
lying and hypocrisy, rather than robbery
without them. So, forcibly observes the
Nation, the robber hand may grasp the
most ancient and rightful throne in Europe,
and successfully" despoil the venerable
Father of Christendom. His faithful guards
may be overpowered or slain. Traitors,
hired by Piedmontese gold, may play the
part of their model and master, Judas
Iscariot. The sainted Plus the Ninth may
be prisoner or an exile, or he may fall a
martyr to the bullet or the dagger of an
assassin. But Popes have been martyred
ere now, and Gods Church was but the
more firmly cemented and strengthened
by their blood. Popes have been prisoners
and exiles ere now, for many a weary year,
and the world saw their chains melt, as it
were, while the power of their captors
crumbled into dust. And as it was it will
be. Never was invasion allowed to clutch
the gift of Christendom to the Church OF
! God that Europe did not subsequently pay
bitter penalty for the crime. Short lived
and disastrous have been those triumphs,
and the world is fated to see fulfilled to-
day, as ever, in all their terrible import,
the truth of the words, "They who fall
upon this Rock shall be broken; but upon
whomsoever it shall fall, it shall grind them
l