The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-12-24

Prussia. The Reichstag has not a v at
completed its second session., end, already
y mas sSgnalizee it's hostility against the
The anti Catholic press, which is aiso Sn
considerable EXTENT anti Christian, had
been preparing tAhaNublic mind for Cha
measure. The incidence Of the clergy in
prefe5ring to accept the interpretation Of
the dictates OF the Bavarian Ministrv ~
the RUSSIAN Chancery, was the theme of
continual denunciations. The freedom
with which the episcopate maintained tie
right of Catholic children to an education
IN conformity with their faith, evoked the
Germany. Finally, the not ill-grounded
expectation that the inmorality Of the pro-
posed compulsory Secular Marriage Law
wonid ma an incorporating opponent
IN that Church which il the appointed
guardian Of morality, seems to have reused
Catholic Church has been found to stand
between Germany and the abyss of materi-
alism and infidelity into which her blood
snd.iron politicians are precipitating the
country. Her influence over the portions
! OF the population whose faith il sound Anal
whose morals are pure is known and
dreaded by the persistent enemies Of both.
It has been determined, accordingly, to at
tempt anew to control that influence by
terrors Of the penal code.
| germany
is amply provided already with enactments
in support of the powers that be. For the
desired oppression of the Catholic Clergy a
special enactment has been deemed neces-
sary. The notorious Won Luts, the Bava-
rian Minister of Irreligion and Mis-educa-
ton proposed it in The BundesratH. or
Council Of the Confederated Governments.
Prince Bismarck supported the proposal
both in the Upper House and in the Reich.
stag or Chamber of Deputies. The second
| reading was voted by an overwhelming
majority, and it has been read a third time
and passed.
90 Every clergyman or other minister Of
religion" thus runs the billy "who, in the
exercise, or in connection with tie. exercise
OF his calling, shall openly, before any as
sembiage of persons in church or other
place set apart for religious worship, an
nounce or discuss matters connected with
the State in q manner which may appear
to be calculated to lead to q breach of tho
public peace, shall be punished with i'm
prisonment not exceeding two years." The
honestly vague.
When has the influence of the Catholic
Church, for this is what the measure i'm
plies, been excrted against the public
peace-the Catholic Church, which lie the
n 1ha s.s. support , Of good government and
The charge is pitifnl calumny, and it's pro-
moters are aware of it. We used to be
told that the Church was too much on the
side OF Governments, too much opposed to
revolution and disorder. The calumniators
of the faith cannot afford to be consistent.
But the deliberate vagueness of the
wording in which the menace is expressed
is not the least significant feature of the
Bill. Any "matter connected with the
State" which is announced or discussed
to lead to q breach of the public peace" is
to be cause of imprisonment. When the
State claims to interfere with everything,
and to pronounce upon everything, no
matter how foreign to its proper province,
nected with the State :" And no matter
connected with the State is to be announced
or discussed in q manner (Which may ap-
pear to be calculated to lead to a breach of
the peace" (which may appear to be
calculated" there ever such juggling
with words Writers on legislation tell us
that law ought to be precise that moth
ing is more unjust and detrimental than
vagueness or obscurity. But who is to ex-
plain the vagueness and obscurity of this
appearance of q calculation of tendency,
ged from the worry altar and thrust into
the common Jail But the Lutz-Bismarck
policy has deliberately lett the law in such
condition, for it is not q law which has
been made, but trap which has been set.
=" He would be willy priest indeed"
" who could see his way to evading the
terms of this clause; Oh the contrary. the
of the words may appear
opens q wide field for any energetic Ger
man Whalley to indulge in his hobby at
the expense of the priests" 1t is after this
fashion that the new Empire bids for the
loyalty of the Catholics Of Germany.
1t is easy to see how the trick is intend
ed to work. Minister Won Lutz. the nomi-
nal Catholic, who allows his children to be
educated as Professionals, holds that the
Vatican Council is in opposition to the
State. Prince Bismarck, through his ODE
dent mouthpiece the Emperor William has
IF the Vatican Council, the ancient faith of
is. accordingly, matter init
nately connected with che State" and
,ince to support views condemned by the
state and dangerous to the State, is evil
!ppear to be, calculated to lead tor any
hing Government may be pleased to