The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-07-05
CHURCH AND STATE In GERMANY.
The Great Struggle Between Bis
marck and the Pope.
The Question in South
Germany.
BERLIN. June IL, IS,

BERLIN, June II, 1874
"Qu6s uuN perdere Deus, den,eatat ~ said the
Latin poet and philosopher: and after seventeen
centuries that sentence Is again on the eve of
being verified in the most transcendent manner,
In the person Of Prince Otto Won Bismarck-Sch0n- |
hausen the inustrious Chancellor OF the German |
Empire. SO long the cunning statesman con- |
tented himself with being the greatest and most
powerful incarnation of Pangermansm, securing
the realization OF his dream through every
means-oriving away Austria from Germany ana
dismemberng France after having dismemDered
Denmark-one could disagree with him as TO the
real utility Of the purpose and the honesty Of the
means; but it was impossible not to feel struck
with admiration at the sound science of cOmbna-
tons and the magnitude of the struggle which,
IN less than ten years. raised Prussia at the
head OF Europe and placed the imperial crown
of Charlemagne on the brow OF Hohenzoilern.
Indeed in q certain degree BismarcK's splendid
achievements could be acknowledged as a serious
profit for the sacred cause Of human progress and
emancipation from the shameful Jokes Of the past,
1t being generally conceded that Germany was by
excellence the country of Tree thought popular
instruction and scientific analysis.
True, the mutllatiOn OF poor little Denmark, un-
der q miserable pretext had been Migrant viola
ton of the International right; true. the war OF
1866 on Austria and her ex-confederates had
proved much against Prussla's good faith and
moderation; true, again, the victorious duel with
France, however perfectly legitimate until Sedan,
when the German Fatherland was threatened by
the troublesome Gallo race, had unfortunately
ended by the violent annexation-in plain words,
the conquest-of Asace and Lorraine, besides an
exacting money indemnity, and 1t may be said
that such renewal Of the brutal customs In force
during the Middle Ages was bitterly felt. not only
as shocking anachronism, but also as menace
nv no INN fo1 ohc
and friends of peace in both the old and new con-
tinents.
But az an extenuating circumstance for those
bold and INSCRIPTIONS proceedings, quite in opp0-
sition to the modern tendencies towards the abO.
lition OF frontiers economical at first and alter
wards POLITICAL the great Chancellors apolOglZers
advocated the painful but yet absolute obligation
imposed upon Prince Bismarck OF acting in an APP
parentv harsh manner. 1t being the only one that
could secure the success OF his patriotic task, the
completion of which, they said, should be alto
gether no less profitable to humanity at large than
to Germany itself.
THE WAR AGAINST CONSCIENCE.
How Is 1t, then it may be asked, that such man
as Prince Bismarck so highly gifted with clear
perception OF mind sound Judgment and mas
terly ability In managing the public AFFAIRS OF his
country, was ill-advised enough to undertake
deadly struggle against the most redoubtable
mower of this enlightened century-liberty OF con-
scienceY HOW is 1t that, having to cement and
consolidate the still ul-adjusted stones OF
his colossal structure, the new German Empire,
instead of devOting all his cares, all his genius, to
that most delicate part OF his work, he suddenly
rushed into new and terrible war against prin-
ciple winch, far from standing In MS way, would
have made of him the most glorious and less dis
puted among the benefactors of mankind. had
he soemnly proclaimed it and enforced IT'S radical
consequences wherever Germany's direct or indi-
rect influence was TO be felt In Enrope2 In short,
why, instead OF standing firm on Cavour's plat
! form-a iree Church in Tree State-did Prince
| Bismarck attempt to reverse the criminal preten-
sion of Romish priestcraft in the ancient times
| and submit the Church 10 the State, while the only
! logical solution vi the problem lies In the absolute
| separation OF those two quite distinct elements
! religious and civil powers The German Chancel-
lor, IN prosecuting the Churcn-not only OF the
Catholic creed, but also OF any other Christian or
| extra-C Christian denomination and aith-1as iaien
into the same error as NanO.eon l., when, at the
height OF his power, blinded with vanity and be-
! lievlng that everything was permitted to him, the
! brutal condueror not being great enough TO be
just and moderate, pretended 10 dictate laws 10
Plus VII. in purely religious matters AND made the
submit 10 J9sur's capricious and arbitrary WILL
BlSMARCK'S RESOLUTION.
Without any provocation rom the Cathonc
clergy, that, during the Franco-German war, had
SHOWN as much patriotism and deyotedness 10 tne
cause OF the fatheriand as the aity, Prince BIS
! marck resolved to curb them, together with The
clergy OF the other various creeds under bis iron
! wiii hence the famous Fax law, which regulates
the relations between Church and state IN the
sense OF a complete submission OF the former to
the lattcr's good pleasure. one OF the provisions
OF that monument OF despotism runs as follows -
mo appointment TO any eccleslastlcal Office, at
whatever degree OF the hierarchy, shall take place
in any Church recognized by the state, without
the SAID appointment having been previously ap-