New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-04-18
Cltranaontane Plots.

Lock Box 81.
si1d E Eltramontanc Plots.
Among all the forces which are constantly
at work to arrest the march Of progress and
enlightenment, there is none endowed with
as much vitality, tenacity, energy, and per-
severance as the Catholic Church. Since it can
not reestablish the Inquisition, nor burn here
tics, superficial observers sometimes have err
roneously concluded that its power was COM
pletely broken, and are amazed when they
find themselves all at once confronted by the
old enemy, in full armor. Just now it has
been discovered to be engaged in conspir-
acy, which, if successful, would produce an
entire change in European affairs. The
energy and determination displayed by Bis
marck, in carrying through the Prussian
Chambers the bill which takes the superin-
tendence of schools from the hands of the
clergy, have been a subject of much comment
by the press and all those interested in the
matter, in Europe as well as on this CONT
nent.. 1t was generally understood that
Bismarck, with his political and religious
conservatism, would never have concluded an
alliance with the Liberals and incurred the
deadly hatred of the Conservatives of all
shades, if he had had any other means left to
thwart the hostile Vaccinations of the Ultra
montanes. Further advices from Europe not
only confirm this view, but even disclose the
fact that the measure was imperiously die
tated by the duty of self preservation. There
is not the slightest doubt of gigantic con-
spiracy on the part of the Catholic clergy and
the Ultrsmontranes for the object of under
mining and renting the German Empire, the
greatest Protestant power in the world, for
the benefit of the Catholic Church and the
Catholic powers. The growth of Prussia very
naturally was always viewed with disfavor
by the Church party, and the Poles in the
East, and the Germans in some districts of
Westphalia and on the Rhine in the West,
among whom Catholicism prevails still in its
darkest shade, have frequently been source
of trouble to the Government; yet, while
Austria and France, the strongholds of Ca
tholicism, disputed the supremacy to Prus-
STA, and the Catholic Church held the balance
Of power, the contest between Catholicism
and Professionalism was kept in the back
ground by other absorbing questions. Now,
however, that Prussia through unprecedented
victories, has become the first power in
Europe, that Austria and France defeated,
humbled, and crippled, have been reduced to
the rank of second-rate powers, and that the
Pope, in consequence of the same events
which brought on all these changes, has been
deposed as temporal ruler, the church, de-
prived of the indispensable support of its
secular allies, finds itself completely stripped
of material strength. Chafng and driven to
desperation, it is using all its vast resources
to regain its lost influence. The reinstate-
ment Of the Pope is, Of course, the great prin-
cipal object, which can be accomplished only
by the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of consolidated Italy
and the weakening of the German Empire.
and the plan of battle has been laid &C
cordingly. The larger Catholic powers
are to reestablish the Pope by force
OF arms, and French resentment and
hatred are particularly to be taken adj
vantage OF, by persuading the people that
such Intervention would furnish them an OBJ
portunity to crafty their thirst for revenge
against the Germans. At the same time the
seeds Of religious discord are to be fostered in
Germany, in order to create splits and divi-
'ions, to prevent unity Of action, and induce
the Catholic German Princes to remain neu-
trail when matters come to a crisis. While
Germany is thus to be slowly undermined and
paralyzed by religious conflicts, previous to
the French revenge, the decisive blow is to
be struck in Italy by openly raising the
French banner, under whose protection Plus
TX. is to take once more possession Of "St.
Peters patrimony."
Much of this scheme has been disclosed by
Bismarck himself in the Upper House, when
the school bill was under discussion, in order
TO silence the opposition Of the Conservatives
and Protestant Ultramontanes. In evidence
he produced communications from prominent
Pussian statesmen and diplomatsts. 1t
seems by no means improbable that common
hatred may be successfully used to effect a
temporary fusion in France, between the I'll.
tramontans and the revolutionary elements,
II the clergy should write on its banner as a
motto: Revenge on Germany! Theirs bear
ing towards the Pope, and the clergy tends
to confirm this supposition. He never was a
good Catholic, and is by far too enlightened
a man, too much of politician to form an
alliance with the church in good faith, never.
theless, since his accession to tho Presidency
he has made every possible concession to be
On good terms with it, and has displayed ar
amount Of solicitude, regard, and courtes,
evidently dictated by political considerations
On the other side, the appreciation Of the for
q midable nature Of such combination must
necessarily have led to the firm and strong
alliance formed between Germany and Italy
Formidable elements are thus arraignsl
against each other, and great commotions
may be anticipated, though the final rssul,