The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1873-08-21
The Condition of Continental Europe.

The present position of matters in Europe
is not such as To give much hope Of peace
full future. The questions at issue, both
political and religious, become daily more
complicated, and their solution more difficult
Old parties are breaking up, and there is
everywhere that confusion that marks pc
riod of transition.
Yet, amidst all the turmoil and tumalt,
certain great lines Of division begin to be
distinctly seen. Slowly but steadily all Eu-
rope is gathering into two camps,-that of
the Ultramontanes, and that of the Radicals.
1t is not that between Church aud State there
is any necessary antagonism. Both may ex-
ercise their true functions in perfect har-
monp. But usurpation on one side has been
met BY usurpation on the other; claims to be
supreme authority by counter claims, till
peace is no more possible. The Ultramon-
tanes have taken position from which they
cannot reeede; and the Radicals will stick at
nothing if they can thereby overthrow the
papacy. 1t is a war to the death; and this
the leaders on both sides well know.
Between the two extremes, there are now
many small parties, not yet ready to rank
themselves with either, but inclining this
way or that, according to their prejudices
or opinions or fears. To the Church party
naturally turn the monarchist. the consttu-
tionally timid and conservative, the rich: who
fear the communists and their theories about
property, the religious who dread their in
fidelity, and all who cling to existing institu-
tions, or are bound by the associations of
the past. Many Of them are not Ultramon-
taues, nor even Roman Catholics, but they
uphold the Church of Rome because they
see it in the leading representative of law
and order, and of Christianity, and the chief
bulwark against the democratic spirit To
the State party turn as naturally ali Of re-
publican tendencies, the defenders Of free
Thought and speech, the young and ardent,
who believe the golden age is yet to come, all
wlo hate the Jesuits, the in6dels, who see
in Rome their chief enemy, the opponents of
all spiritual despotism, and Protestants in
general, who think anything more tolerable
than papal domination.
It isnot to be supposed that all Of these
several classes have any clear conception of
their own position. They probably hope to
hold an intermediate place, and successfully
to oppose both extremes They think to
uphold the Church, and yet preserve civil
liberty. and to uphold the State, ard yet
leave the Church free. But the lea1,rs Of
the two extremes have clearer understand
ing Of the real condition of affairs. They
know that In such strife it is the bold, the
determined, those who enunciate principle
without limitation or compromise, that draw
the masses of men after them. The COM
mon mind does not appreciate nice distinc-
tions; It does not like qualifications and re-
fnements. In popular leader, at great
crises, moderation Is weakness. The wise
chiefs of the Church well understand this;
and they have taken ground in regard to the
relations of Chuach and State which are in
telligible to the dullest intellect. The pope,
as the head of the spiritual order, aud in
fallible in faith and morals, is the head Of all
kings and rulers In all cases of disputed
authority, they must be obedient to him.
The supremacy Of the Church-that is, of
the pope-must be recognized as first prin.
clple By all Christian nations.
On the other side, the Radical chiefs
snunciate their principles with equal bold
ness, simplicity, and decision The State is
supreme; it knows no power above ITSELF
Ifthere be a God, the State is His true
representative. Religion, as matter affect
ing the public well-being, is wholly under
its control. 1t is to determine what shall
be the rites of worship, and what doctrines
may be tsught, and who shall be the teach.
ers. Claims to Divine authority are essen
tally reasonable, since they conflict with
the civil sovereignty.
These are plain and Ineligible principles;
no man can mistake them. If received and
acted upon, thoy cut up the Church of Rome,
and every Christian Church, root and branch
No religion can exist which is not divested
of its supernatural character, and made sub
servient to political ends.
Such, in principle, are the lines Of diyi-
sion. Every year they become more clearly
drawn. No one can fail to see what progress
the Ultramontanes have made in the last de-
oade, and how they are forcing all to come
into their camp. Their cry Is Romon Cath
olicism or atheism; the supremacy of the
nope or communism and anarchy. TO multi
tudes this seems 10 be the only alternative ;
and the fear Of one extreme drives them to
the other. The same Is the case with the
Radicals. Their numbers are augmen'ing,
not 40 much through rational conviction, as
through hatred of ecclesiastical tyranny
Many are not atheists, but if compelled to
choose between the slavish submission de-
mauded by Rome and no religion at all, they
prefer the latter. They choose the absolu-
tism Of the State rather than that Of the
Church
As regards numbers and organization, the