New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-12-22
ReiigiOn In Kurepean HOlieScs.

Religion In kuf9pe0n Politics.
The discussion between Gladstone ant
Archbishop Manning upon the pzobabl,
political effect Of the recent dosnae o
pap;L infallibility has aroased unive,sa
interest and widespread exsninaticn intt
thi. important subject. TIE following
well-considered article, from the New
York 7riJauae, touching upon the agita.
tions which have sprung from the FRO
mitigation Of this dogma in continental
Europe, is so thorough and able tAat we
republish it entire
1t is singular to observe how the entire
aspect Of religious controversy in Europe
seems of late years to have changed. There
is scarcely any violent polemic going on IN
regard to creeds and texts. Even where =
one of Tyndall, according to matter the
promise and potency of every form Of life,
the challenge excites no response at all COM
mensurate with its significance and import
anco. 1t does not seem to be possible to
arouse any great public interest in any
mere question of religious belief, either
among opposing theologians or between
them and the representative Of material
istic science. But the instant the relations
between the Church and the State as organ
lied powers are touched by practical poll
are like that produced by dropping crumb
of bread into q glass OF champagne. The
ArchbishOps Of Canterbury and Westmin.
ster might have debated the question of
transubstantiation for year together with
out producing more than a languid interest
among their respective churches. But the
instant Mr.. Gladstone began to expOstulate
with his Roman Catholic fellow citizens. on
the ground that they were bound by the
Vatican DEGREES, if they obeyed them, to
subordinate their civil allegiance TO the
pleasure OF foreign spiritual sovereign. it
is not too much to say that the attention of
every thinking person in the British empire
was at once arrested. The discussion thus
aroused has only just begun, bu. it is rea-
sOnably certain thstit can not close without
throwing needed light upon the hitherto
obscure question of the conflict of civil and
sacerdotal authority in England.
On the continent the discussions bearing
upon ecclesiastical matters have the same
secular character: 1t Is true that the pro-
mitigation Of the dogma Of papal linfallibility
in Germany. But it was not as question
of faith that this dogma was able to trouble
the peace and quiet of the country. 1t was
the conflict which grew up between the
ecclesias:ic and the civil authorities in re-
gard to such external matters as the control
of churches and the installation Of priests
which led to that attitude of positive and
dangerous hostility which now threatens
the public welfare. 1t il never asserted or
apparently cared tor on either side, that
their respective doctrines arc essential to
the salvation of souls, but the whole quarrel
is that the Catholics think the government
brutally tyrannical, and the government
accuse the Catholics of being rebellious
and seditiOne. 1t is astonishing. in view of
that marvellous unanimity of three or four
years ago. attained by the dazzling prestige
Of military success, to see how widely at
variance are the representatives of the two
parties at present. The deputies who ad-
here to the clerical party not only attack
the internal policy Of the government, but
bitterly accuse it of feeble aud uupatri-
ptic management of its foreign policy. Herr
JOerg accuses Prince Bismarck of failure in
Spain and cOwardice toward Russia, and
Herr Windhorst taxed him with eudeavOr-
ing to incite the country to civil war. On
his part, the Chancellor was not backward
N the defensive with offensive return. He !
declared that Kullman was one of the cleri- |
sal party; that his crime was committed in !
their Interests and added that the assassin |
old him st Kissengen that he belonged to the |
Centre or Iltramontane party" . con- |
,cientious deiniteness which was evi-
lently received with great incredulity by |
The opposition. 1t is little hard to believe
hat Prince Bismarck imagines this mad |
Ean's act was the result of political plot !
against him. But the fact that he is willing
% make an insinuati0n 60 wounding and so |
mproba BILE in a le egislative assembly, shows |
what virulence has entered into the contest !
which he is now waging against the clerical |
party in Germany. The day after this ex-
scene the Chancellor provoked |
another Of the same kind by declaring. in |
lis speech justifying the discontinuance of |
diplomatic relations with the Vatican, that |
he Pope desired the defeat Of Germany in |
he late war. and that this could be proved. |
This is not impossible, but it belongs to q |
,lass of facts which European statesmen |
lave been in the habit OF treating with ex-
RENE reserve.
Scarcely less significant in its violence |
vas the demonstration made only few |
lays ago in the French Assembly by SO 1
earned and able a man as Monseigneur |
Oupanloup. In the course Of a debate on |
he proposition to free the University from |
control, the Bishop of Orleans
leedlessly envenCmed the discussion by |
the republican left as danger
'us to society, and as being in some way
accessory after the fact to the murder of
he Archbishop of Paris. OF course such
anguage was followed by tumultuous in
and the passionate prelate was
properly and severely rebuked by NJ. Chal.
mel-Lacour. 1t is deplorable in the in.
erests of religion as we'll as good govern
nent, that men can not differ upon matters |
Il public concern without accusing each
ther of being assassins. So far as we can
udge from the present aspect of things in
he three most enlightened countries of
Europe. there 10 no question which so ex-
ties the worst passions of men as that of
administration. Every debate,
very conflict. every tumult which arises
ut OF these discussions, seems to bring out
ntO clearer light tho wisdom of the system,
racticed by us not so much through our
wn wisdom as through the favor of t0rtu-
ate circumstances-an absolute iadepen-
ence OF Church and State.
kmusements.
Mrs y. T. Bowers made her appearance
{ the Varieties Theatre last night as julia
\ fho EJunnhhoNk cu1,1.<od \ - xgv E I