New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-08-15
THE GERMAN CHURCH MOVEMENE

Nothing exhibits more strongly the quiet
persistence which the Germans apply to the
solution of great questions than their recent
treatment of matters bearing upon the rela-
tons of Church and State. The doctrine OF
Papai Infallibility was opposed by large
number of the German Bishops in the Gcu-
mencal Council, and its adoption was gen.
orally deprecated throughout the country !;
but no violent demonstration was made
against it, and this very moderation
and reserve may have deceived the par
tisans of Rome into the belief that
the dogma promulgated with such arrogant
authority and opposed with such apparent
languor would in time be accepted, and thus
the bands of ecclesiastical thralldom would be
riveted anew on the most enlightened people
of Europe. But the year which has passed
since the new doctrine was sent forth from
the Vatican has shown steady progress In
the other direction, evidently stimulated by
the pretensions of Rome, but free from any
appearance of impulse or excitement.
The story of two morning journals OF
Franco Russian alliance against Germany, and
the consequent meeting of the German En-
perors at Ischl to concert measures OF de-
Tense, is, of course, mere midsummer folly.
In the conference held by the veteran En-
peror William and his nephew, the Emperor
Francis Joseph, it is highly probable that the
most important subject of conversation be-
tween them, and what is of more moment, be-
tween their attendants Bismarck and Beust,
will prove to have been the relations of the
spiritual to the temporal power in
II and fhn
to be adopted to free Germany from its di-
vided allegiance to Rome Although the
Emperor of Austria belongs to family always
distinguished for its devotion TO the Church,
it has been evident for some time that the
spirit of revolt against ecclesiastical dictatiOn
which has inspired the recent legislation of
the Vienna Parliament, has begun to reach
even the serene attitudes of the Hofburg. At
first, the Court fought fiercely against the So
called Confessional laws, upon civil marriage
and public instruction, which were supposed
to infringe the provisions of the COncordat.
The mother of the Emperor, the venerable
Archduchess Sophia, was the leader of this
palace cabal against the plain ten
dency of the popular desire, and the
consequent legal action of the Reichs-
rath But this aristOcrahc rebellion
against the Parliament seems to have greatly
died away under the increased dissatisfaction
with the Ultramontane pretensions as formu
lated in the doctrine of Infallibility. Count
Won Beust is a Protestant, and this circum-
stance is of course enough to make him very
circumspect in any measures which might
bring him into collision with the German
Catholics; but most of his colleagues in the
Government are liberal Catholics rational
lists, and all Church questions are likely to be
regarded by them in future in the light
of the public welfare solely.
The Emperor OF Germany, before setting out
for his Summer journey, gave striking ex-
qualification of his intentions in regard to these
vexed questions of conflicting allegiance.
Since 1871 the Department of Worship in the
Prussian Government has been divided into
two sections, one entirely Catholic in its Or
ganization and personnel, and the other entire
ly Protestant. In this way the priesthood had
power oyer the people in their relations to
the Government almost as absolute as that
which they enjoyed in Spain. On the very day
on which Kaiser William set out for Ems, the
9th of July, he signed an orderapproved by every
member of the Cabinet, uniting these two
sections in one, and thus breaking up these
powerful sources of influence formerly en-
joyed by the Catholic Church authorities.
The recent change of Ministry in Bavaria is
also significant symptom of the general
movement of emancipation; the late Ultra
montana Premier having given way to Cab-
net more in harmony with the plans and pur-
poses OF Berlin. These are further indicated
in the recent dispatches announcing the action
of Prince Bismarck in Alsace, in entirely
secuarizing the administration of public in
struction in the conquered Provinces.