The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-08
An Interview with Cardinal Ant0nelIf-.
Tho Popc's Heaith-l atiOitcisra I'm
Italy and Germany.

Italy and Germany.
We print this morning most interesting
report of an interview with Cardinal Antonelli,
accorded to one OF the correspondents Of the
HERALD by His Eminence. II is worthy of
special remark that this interview was granted
on precisely the same terms as those which
many eminent men have accorded desire TO
be heard by the world through faithful re-
port in the columns of this journal. Cardinal
Antonelli seems to have the most liberal
notions respecting the functions of independ-
ent journalism and he shows no hesitation
in submitting his thoughts and opinions to
the press for publication. In this, as in many
other things, he proves himself wise man,
capable of applying the improvements of civil
ization to the needs and progress of the
Church. The topics touched upon in the con-
versation with the Cardinal were three in num-
berthe state Of the Pope's health, the effect
OF the Religious Corporations bill upon the
orders of the Church in Italy and Prince Bis
marck's policy in driving the Jesuits from
Germany and circumscribing the forms OF re-
| igious worship in the German Empire.
| The physical condition Of the Holy Father
has been for months the subject of many con-
ficting reports. AT one time it was rumored
that the Pope was dying, and at another he
was reported convalescent. There was even
story that the Supreme Pontiff was dead, and
that his death was concealed so as to give time
for the choice of a successor. Nothing ex-
| plicit and ut the same time absolutely trust
worthy could be obtained on the subject. The
HERALD now solves the question, upon the
authority of Cardinal Antonell. While far
from possessing the physical vigor of younger
! men, the Pope is well as a man of his years
and cares and labors can be expected to be.
He has been confined to his bed much Of the
time recently, but his illness was not at any
time so aggravated as to be the cause of serious
alarm. The reports concerning his compli-
Gated maladies are fictitious, and the subjects
OF merrment even to himself At the same
time we cannot conceal the fact that Plus TX.
may not live much longer. He is an
| old man, in his eighty second year
His once vigorous constitution has been
impaired bya lifetime of severe labor The
| loss OF the temporal power was q shock like
that which comes from ''transplanting old
age" Acute iniammatory disease at times
tortures and weakens him. In view of all
these circumstances and conditions, his DEATH
when it comes will not come as surprise
While he lives the prayers of the Christian
world will continue to be offered that his life
may still be spared. But powers and peoples will
not forget to expect his death, for the gravest
consequences may depend upon his demise
consequences greater to the Church and the
world than if he were q temporal instead of
spiritual potentate The venerable years Of
no emperor or king were ever watched with
so much solicitude-regret for the inevitable,
mingled with anxiety aud care for the crit
ical moment, when it shall be known that Plus
TX. is no more the Head of the Church. All
this makes the interesting letter of our cor
respondent all the more interesting; the infor-
nation which is communicated through the
HERALD being so exact that we could know
little more it we stood by the bedside of the
Pope
The solicitude which the Pope feels in re-
gard to the Religious Orders Suppression bill
must also teud 10 weaken the Pontiff
physical condition. II is a measure which
strikes a severe blow at the Church in Italy.
few years ago the widest foes OF the Catho-
lie Church could not have anticipated an act
so paralyzing to Catholicism, least of all at
Rome and in Italy. The world generally had
learned liberation, and Mr.. Disraeli's fears of
the religious orders, as he developed them
in Lothian" were met everywhere with
broad grin. In America we never give to the
subject moments concern preferring as we
do to leave the whole matter to the Church
without any interference whatever. Protes-
tantism no longer has reason to complain of
Catholic persecution. and it is now too late
for any power to begin restrictions upon
Catholicism. King Victor Emmanuel and his
Ministry have more right to control or
endeMor 70 control, the property of the Church
than they have to seize upon and hold the
estates Of any Italian subject Because the
Church and the religious orders have
much valuable property in Italy is
no excuse for its appropriation. We can
illustrate the point at Issue by very familiar
example. Trinity parish in this city is in
effect very rich religious order. II owns
church property and lands and tenements in
the metropolis OF immense value. 1t draws
its revenues regularly. aud Gin the natural
order of thugs willingly or uuwillingly, it
can scarcely fail to be hard landlord. The
poor man. not without reason, perhaps, might
denounce its wealth and cry out against its
extortions as these may be felt at the hands
Of It's agents. But, whatever might be the cir
cumstances OF the case, it has title to its
lands which is sacred. Should the Legisla-
ture attempt to dispossess it, on whatever
plausible pretext, the act would be reprobated
by the whole civilized world. No excuse and
No raaSnn rcould hc snfficiant To iusfify Il