The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-11
The Serpent of snpieuxu.

Rome, city which has undergone so many
changes in modern as well as in ancient
times, affords an opportunity for the study of
progress by the students of history. It's fiuc-
tuations numerous, changes many, its mis-
fortunes great at one time the imperial
city of the Caesars; again, the seat of learn
ing, the emporium Of all that was great in art,
science and literature, the resort of men Of
cultivation and refinement, the cradle almost
wings all over the face of the habitable globe.
The grand WORKS of art which for ages have
accumulated within the magnificent structures
which mans genius conceived and human
energy executed still find q resting place in
the eternal city. For ages Rome has been
the grand religious centre to which the eyes
of the civilized world have been directed,
and yet this city, once again, is about to
undergo changes which frequently in its his
tory mark the march Of time. The changes
which have taken place in Europe within
the last year almost foreshadowed those
which now threaten the Papacy in Rome.
France fell from her high estate, and while
that nation was engaged II its struggle with
the young giant Of Germany the soldiers Of
Victor Emmanuel moved on Rome. The City
of the Popes was entered and forciby taken
possession of in the name Of the King. Tho
soldiers of his Majesty paraded the Streets
and outrages were committed even within
the precincts of churches dedicated to
Al 80 kl, FL
did not rest here. To breed dissensions in the
Church itself was the next aim. An oppor-
tune moment arrived The protest of DR..
Dolinger against infallbility afforded an excel
lent opportunity for those who were hos
tile to the Papacy to attack the Holy
See. The occasion was taken advantage
Of, and DR.. DolIinger, in tho minds of some,
became a hero. With the Roman University
he became particular favorite. Some of its
professors conceded with the views of the
German divine and babe defiance to the Pope.
An incident related in the Roman corre-
to-day, informs US that but short time back
IAN ugly, ray-skinned serpent has made its
appearance in the walls Of the Roman Uni
versity." 1t invaded the Sapienza in rugged
and hypocriical exterior, and after having
found home there cast its skin and
shone forth in its new colors. Some, in
deed, argue that this incident is typical of
the course pursued by those professors who,
Catholics if they be, have remained quiet
until the opportunity was presented to cast
aside their hypocrisy and assume their real
character. Salaried by the Italian govern
ment, bound by no allegiance to the Papaoy,
the Roman professors appeared before the
world as Catholic professors of Catholic
university, in the very heart of Catholic
Rome itself, protesting, or sustaining, rather,
a protest against dogma Of the Catholic
Church. II these professors appeared in
their own characters boldly as D5llingcr
did in denunciation of a proceeding which
they affect not to believe in, they knew full
we'll that as little heed would be paid to their
utterances as to the remarks of thousands of
never-heard-of clergymen who always make
Pic Mono very conspicuous character in
their attacks on the abused Papacy. The
Roman University, as university, may have
the right to chime in with dssenters and pro-
test against infallbility and any other Of the
dogmas of the Catholic Church, bnt we hardly
think that it is the mission of Catholic insti-
tuition to teach disobedience and nsubordina-
ton to the Church in the interest of which it
processes to teach. To many, no doubt, it
plays the part of the serpent in pretending to
be Catholic while it aims to injure Catholicity.