The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1870-10-28
ROME THE CAPITAL OF ITALY.

The occupation of Rome by the Ital-
ian troops would seem to put an end to
the temporal power of Papacy, and
marks an era in the history of the Cath
Ole Church. This is not because the
Holy See is to be discontinued or abol-
ished-for the Catholic powers of Eu-
rope have already signitied their readl-
ness to contribute to its maintenance
but because it means that the Pope will
in future probably rest contented in the
exercise of his infallible sway over
spiritual kingdom, for henceforth his
temporal possessions will be reduced to
a very small extent, if he is not shorn
of them altogether. The Papal Legion,
whose arms gave him support, is to be
disbanded, the natives OF Italy being
for the present retained at the various
depots without arms, while the foreign
ers are furnished with transportation to
their respective homes. Only few
weeks have passed since the Gcumenl-
cal Council pronounced the DEGREES OF
the supreme Pontiff infallible, and many
who are hostile to such claims will as
sumo to see in this diminution of his
power providential retribution for the
assumption of inerrancy. There is no
need, however, to search so far for an
explanation of this curtailment of papal
authority. AS the Germans have long
been struggling for united Germany,
so the Italians have been longing and
striving for the uniffcation of Italy I'M
der one sovereign, with Rome as his
capital. Rome was the capital of
Italy before the Holy See was located
there, and at one time she was the ac-
knowledged mistress of the world.
Within her walls, from the reign of the
Tarquins to that of the Caesars, the con-
suls bore sway, and now that the ten
dency of Italy, as of all the world, is to-
ward freer institutions and more hber-
al government, it seems eminently fit
ting that Rome should again become
the residence of the ruler of Italy. For
tunateIy, the transfer of authority was
accomplished without bloodshed, the
Holy Father himself commanding his
followers to put up their swords, and
to permit the Italian forces to enter the
Holy City. The rights of his Holiness,
however, have been respected, and for
eign diplomats accredited to the Vati-
can declare themselves satisfied with
the precautions which have been taken
for his safety.
1t will perhaps be unpleasant for the
Pope to see a once communicated son
of the Church installed in Rome as mon
arch of all Italy, but it is not probable
that the deprivation of his temporal
sway will work any real INJURY TO the
head of the Catholic Church. Many
within the pale of that body, and not
few high in position, maintain that there
should be no attempt to combine tenn
poral command with the spiritual do
minion of the world. 1t remains to be
seen whether any power friendly to the
Papacy will so far disapprove of the
progress of events in Italy as to be will
ing to go to war for the purpose of re-
storing its temporarily.
The occupation of Rome, however, is
but one scene in the drama now being
enacted in Italy. The people of that
country have long painted to be free
from even a constituted monarch. Gar
ibaldi has communicated many of his
free ideas to his countrymen, who now
wish for a republican as we'll as unit
ed Italy. Rome is now the italian cap
ital, and may ere long be again the seat
of a fOurishin9 republic.