The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-10

hardly be expected or the CHIEFS OF the Church,
who, with the Pope, dread the progress Of
democratic ideas, and regard the restoration
of the temporal power of the Papacy as
dependent mainly upon monarchical suprem-
acy. 1t was no doubt the impression on the
minds of the Commune that the heads of the
Church were an obstacle to the establishment
of the republic which led to the murder of the
excellent Archbishop of Paris and the other
priests. But should M. Theirs succeed in
showing that republican liberty is compatible
with order and progress the hierarchy of
the Church in France may see the futility of
opposition.
Ofcourse the crowned heads and aristocra-
cies of Europe cannot regard the French
republic with any favor, and will use all the
moral influence of which they are capable to
damage it; but if France maintains peace at
home and abroad none will interfere with her
internal political arrangements There will
be no more Holy Alliances to check democratic
progress. The people everywhere would
rejoice to see republican freedom with order
they would demand similar institutions. The
French republic would become to Europe
what the American republic has been and is
to the world-the example for and instructor
of nations in the way of liberty and
progress. 1t would be political electric bat
terry vibrating from one end of Europe to the
other to change the old order of society. Our
republic has been doing this work effectively,
though silently. All eyes are turned TO watch
the working of our institutions, and the people
abroad are DESTROYS of following the example
we have given. The republican aspirations of
France spring from this cause, as well as most
of the liberal movements in other countries Of
Europe. Should not we Americans, then, say
God speed to the French republic, and hail
with pleasure such powerful ally in the way
Of progress?
And why should not N. Theirs, the histo-
rian of the consulate and empire, who knows
so well the many struggles and changes that
France has gone through, earnestly desire
republic? He is aware that monarchy and
Imperialism under almost every phase have
been tried and have only had Pickering ex-
istence. Why try any of them again? Why
subject the nation to more and inevitable revo-
lutions? Why not have the republic? There
is more vigor and more material and intellec-
tual development under republican institutions.
Our own history and the history of all repub-
lies show this. The French, with their indus
try, taste, inventiveness, economy, activity
and splendid country would soon recover from
their disasters and become, mighty people
again under such government. Then
why should not the Church become
the friend and ally of the masses to
instruct and guide them? Father Hyacinthe
said the nineteenth century belongs to the
working classes. He sees that the great move
ment of the age is from below and upward,
and is irresistible. If the priests would CON-
prehend this and march with democratic pro-
gress, what evils, what commissions might be
avoided! This one thing they and the rulers
of nations may be sure Of: that with the
enlightenment of the age and daily increasing
knowledge diffused through the press and by
means Of the other modern agents of civiliza-
ton the world cannot 60 back or stand still.
1t must advance, and the people everywhere
will never be satisfied till they have repre-
sentative self-government, and this, if we mis-
take not, can only mean the republic.