New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-06-24
AUCTION SALES THIS DAY.
Local Intelligence.

kELIGIOUs DEMONSTRATION. The ad
mirers of Pope Plus TX and the doctrine
OF the infallibility of the Pope met on Sun
day last, in large numbers, in Exposition
Hall. to celebrate the twenty-eighth an.
niversary Of the reign of his holiness. The
Archbishop OF this diocese was there, sur
rounded by the brightest lights of the
Catholic faith in our city. Thomas j.
Semmes, Esq, a gentleman distinguished
for his legal attachments and powers OF
oratory, delivered an interesting address,
setting forth the virtues and trials OF Pope
Plus TX. in strong and eloquent language.
Mr.. Semmes said:
WHO can contemplate the royal prisoner
of the Vatican, now entering upon the
twenty ninth year Of his reign, bowed down
in years, despOiled Of territories acquired
by gift and cOnsecrated by the prescription
OF thousand years, weak in physical
power. strong in the love and obedience of
two hundred million spiritual subjects, sur
rounded by the bayonets of revolution,
pointed at his breast by Cesarism to extort
concessions to the State inconsistent with
his duty to Christ, and hear him with the
mild voice of humility, but with the resolu.
with the simple words, mon possumus,
without feeling in his inmost soul that ne is
indeed the vicar of Christ on earth ?"
This is strong Involvement. If the Pope
had succeeded in uniting all Christians
under one religious banner there would
have been ground for calling him the vicar
of Christ on earth. But as he has not done
this. and is only the head of the Catholic
Church-and that not q unit on the infalla-
biiity questiop-other religious denomina.
tions will doubtless be disposed to dispute
the proposition SO teelingly made by Mr..
Semmes to the effect that the great and
good man who stands at the head of the
Catholic Church only, be considered the
substitute of Christ. the son of God, and
the Saviour Of mankind, and as such the
head of all Christian churches.
Mr. Semmes says:
Revolution and Casarism have Joined
hands in hostility to the church, both
actuated by the same motive-the over.
throw Of Christianity by the establishment
of the anti Christian doctrine that the
State is God, that all power resides in the
State. absolute, unlimited. and therefore
the commands of the State in all things are
supreme"
by European States have undoubtedly led
Mr.. Semmes to these conclusions, but that
fact does not prove that the partial over
throw of the power of the Catholic Church
means the overthrow OF Christianity. Nor
does it prove that the States of Europe
have attempted to set up the doctrine that
"the State is Cod" unless their attempt to
confne the Catholic Church to its religious
duties is considered in that light; and this
would hardly be fair, as the States that
have been foremost in combating the in
dependent civil authority of the Pope have
long since denied the doctrine of the divine
right of kings.
The REPUBLICAN Is of the opinion that
both Church and State have erred in not
conceding to the people of Europe freedom
of religion. This would strengthen tie
people and gradually teach both Church
and State that "the voice Of the people il
the voice of God"