New-York tribune., 1873-01-01
GERMANY and kOME.

The resentment of the German Government
at the recent Papal Allocution, denouncing the
interference of the State Authorities with the
doctrlnal decisions and discipline of the Roman
Catholic Ch urch, is consistent with the policy
pursued by the new empire ever since the
definition of infalllbility. United Germany
had given so many indications of enlighten-
ment and liberality, that we might have ex-
pected of her in this juneture q course more
in accordance with the progressive spirit of the
age, which demands that Church and State
shall restrict themselves, each to its legiti-
mate functions. Prince Bismarck has deter
mined, however, upon what not only the
Catholics! but the majority of PrOtestants will
declare to be persecution. The expulsion Of
the Jesuits has been enforced with extreme
rigOr, and as a natural consequence cases
of individual hardship have awakened in
certain localities strong popular sympathy
with the dispossessed order. In the province
of Posen. short time ago, an invitation
was circulated for the faithful to join on
certain Sunday in prayers for the
protection of the Sacred Heart of
jesus The Government interpreted this as
contempt of the laws of the State" and all
the churches which had accepted the invitation,
as well as the schools connected with them,
were summarily closed. Mr.. Jerry Cruncher,
conscious of his own evil courses, was always
displeased when he found his wife on her
knees, and used to throw his boots at her for
/" Topping agin him.n But we we're not pre-
pared to learn that Prince Bismarck shares the
same prejudice against prayer
We have already explained the bearing of
the bill submitted to the Diet some weeks ago
for controlling the rights of ecclesiastical
bodies OverthrOwing the authority of the
bishops, and making every pastor practically
independent of all higher church dignitaries.
The ulterior design of this measure was to
oppose the introduction of the doctrine OF in
fallibility; but its result, if the penalties be
enforced, will be to stimulate ultramOntansm
with just enough persecution to increase its
vigor and activity. So, too, the interference
with the liberty of the press, the threat to
suppress journals which publish the Papal AL
locutiOn, while it can have no permanent ef-
feet in checking what are called the encroach-
ments of the Roman party, is likely to create
strong sympathy with the prescribed, and to
place them in the attitude of martyrs-the
most formidable attitude which they can ever
assume. To us in America. who have expert
enced the advantages of such diff
ferent system of government, the pol
icy of Prince Bismarck seems incredibly
short-sighted. We know no difference be-
tween Jesuit and Atheist, Jew and Christian,
ultramontane Roman Catholic and Liberal
Protestant. The State gives them equal pro-
lection, and nothing more. The Pope may
write what he likes about Gen. Grant, and
no Americans journal need be afraid to pub
lish it. His bishops may excommunicate every
priest under their jurisdiction, and the Ad-
ministration will feel no concern. If the
Catholics of America resolve to unite in
prayer some day, for any boon whatever, the
United States Government, if it give any
thought to the movement at all, will probably
satisfy itself with the reflection that they are
not likely 10 get what they ask for unless the
purpose is good one. If the Government of
Germany would be at peace, iett il follow our
example. Leave the Church alone; the
Kaiser has no rights over mems consciences.