The New York herald., 1871-12-02
TII1 EMlsEEseR WILLIAM AND THE CAFHe-
Lac CaUaCM.

Letter Of the emperor Of Germany TO tho
Archbishop Of Cuioepc-TGe CntaOlic bishops
OF Prussia Rebuked-EgIai Ecligsous Rights
Promised To All.
The Emperor OF Germany has written the follow
ing letter to the Archbishop OF Cologne In reply TO
the Prus3ian bishops OF the Roman Catholic
Church:--
VENERABLE AncuBsHor-In tho petition signed
and aldresse ~ me on the TIN iast by Your Emil
nence and other bishops, measures with regard TO
education WAcn my government mas DeeG obliged
10 adopt IN conformity with existug laws are lesg
mated Us an attack upon the most cherished c0avic-
ions OF the faith and tne Caurch, as re straint
opeaiy imposed upon conscienceS, aad Your Emf
hence, IN consequence, believes yourself boGnd to
make solemn protest against the possible Gu
croacnnlents on the DOMAIN OF the iaith anu the
rights OF tae CaIhOlc Church.
After the fact that IL has hitherto ana In al times
been recognized by the bishops uf the Catholic
the Church has almost IN no other country enjoyed
so favorable = position as IN Prussia, WAS sur.
rrfsed TO and in the pention OF the prussian bishops
merely an echo OF the language by Wncn II has been
attempted by means Of the press. TO shake the just
connaeuce hitherto awarded by my Catholic sub.
jects 10 my governments.
Your hlninence Is aware that no change has been
made 10 the legislation which has hi hefto met with
the appreciation OF me Catholic Episcopale and the
petition d0cs NOT cite any IAN IN particular which
mas not been observed by ny government.
II, Oh the contrary, eyehts have taAel place IN
the Interior ol the Catholic Church. in consequence
OF which the present satisfactory relations OF that
Church VITA 5ic state seem threatened VITA some
to ntUnouncc Judgment ui questions Of dognatic
order ana relative 20 these same events. Tic MS
or my govcrnmen VIII rather con- ist IN ind
ing, by means OF the Legislature, legal solution of
the c0n,llcts recently atlsen betwcel the cvil and
the eccesiastic authortles Ia case tnesc CONNECTS
could not ne avOted Cntil tnat takes place IN the
Constitutional w3y IL 10 for rae 10 MAINTAIN the
cy.stlng ana 10 protect, IN case OF necessity,
every Prussian iu the ul enjoyment o. MS rights.
leave iC 10 my government 10 reply 10 the re-
proaches addressed 10 IL by Nonr Emincnce and the
bishops.
/ had hoped that the powerful elements OF the
Catholic ChIrcn, which III former times opposed tue
natlolal movement led ~ Prussia, would now
arcr the le al UrganlIaiiOu Ot the German empire
ana In the interest OF ne state, lend ~ eir v0lun-
taiy support. The benevolent terms Iii when His
HLiiness the Pypc welcomed ny writing IN ms own
hand the reconstruction OF tne empire MADE me
hone 80. But even IL tnat nope should not DC real.
iZcd no disappointment on tha5 ground would ever
prevent me fronl Watching mat 'lil AMI entire
liberty should be secured, IN the present ana the
future, every religious Daef Ia my states, LII
,ormity with the rights and the eluanty OF all Dc-
for the law.
Certain o. fulfilling conscientiously my royal du-
ties, and being just TO all, snail not allow fhc
confidence nave put IN inv Catholic subjects ~ be
shaken, and am convinced that this confidence Is
reciprocal and durable.
Requesting Your Eminence 10 communicate my
answer to the other signers Of the pcuton, re.
man. &C., WILLIAM.
berlin. Oct 1S ISL.