The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-26
THE POPE AND ITALY.
RoME, March 81, 1874.

home. MARCH Oh 1914
1t is Offering no discourtesy to the young King
dom OF Italy to suppose that its relations to the
Church and the Apostolic Court are the most In
terestng features of It's present situation to the
great world beyond the Alpine barrier. Whatever
may be our individual sympathies and afinitles it
is impossible to deny that Roma la Eterna" has
owed its eternity to the Catholic Church, and that
the special pre-eminence which made the Italians
feel mistakenly, as take leave 10 thlnk) that it
was out OF the question to think OF recognizing
any other Of their famous cities as the capital of
Italy, and is due wholly to the Papacy and to the
special characteristics which make the Papacy not
a national, not European, but . cosmopolite IN
stltution. The Italians cannot be accused or hav-
ing failed to recognize the bgness OF the job they
took in hand when they determined not without
much fear and trembling, as those will remember
VINO watched the proceedings OF the Italian
government and Parliament at that time, to
establish Victor Emmanuel and the Italian gov
eminent, Parliament and capital, in the
Pope's city. 1t Is true that 1t was not due
to their own hesitation that they had not taken
this step long before. The Catholic conscience and
piety OF the Eldest Son OF the Church" could not
tolerate the removal OF the last impeachment
which stood in the way OF sister nation OF the
Latin stock becoming dangerous rival In civil
izatlon and power. All the world knows that
story and understands the truth OF the matter
more correctly perhaps than most national trans
actions are understood at date SO nearly con-
temporary. But the mIsf0rtunes of France were
Italy's opportunity. Fortune-or what we NOR
tails call so-once again, in an almost miraculous
manner. did for Italy what she could not have &C
complished for herself. Ali Of sudden she saw
the wav open, and, with an immense Joy and trl-
umph in her heart, but hestatingly, timidly, with
many misgivlngs, and many glances cast fearfully
all around the horizon to see II any power, In
heaven above or on the earth beneath, were
minded to forbid the deed, she marched, hardly
less wonderingy than trtumphantly, across that
sad and solemn Campagna to the enchanted city,
and with bated breath and scarce believing that
the thing could be true, installed herself on the
Seven Hills.
THE LOGIC OF EVENTS.
For Americans or Englishmen or Germans OF the
North TO scofr at these hesitatons and misgivings
and terrors would be unfair, and would only indi-
cate an imperfect conception OF the circumstances
OF the case and the conditions which the history
OF eighteen centuries has made for Italy. 1t was
very big oeed that Italy did on that 10Th OF Sep.
TENDER, 1870; perhaps, II regarded with far.see.
ing eye to all its consequences, the biggest deed
that has been done in the world Tor many year.
Aud, truth to tell, Italy has not quite got over
the sense OF 1t. The days grow into months and
the months into years, and no thunderD0ts fall,
and no chasms yawn in the earth beneath her feet,
and gradually she Is breathing more freely, taking
courage and realizing her position. The falling or
the thunderbolts and the yawning OF chasms
seem. indeed, thus far to have been managed by
Providence which has declared entirely
in her favor. Yet who knows2 II Proyi-
dence should have all along intended
legitimlst restoration in France, might It
cradle quantity OF fat in the fire And Italy can.
not rid herself OF uneasy thoughts OF ali that might
happen under such circumstances. And that old
man, whose passive resistance is so baffIing a
weapon to fence against, still sits there in his
awful seat behind veil, very terrible to more
Italian hearts than would care to confess as much
When the invaders from the North burst into Rome
some fifteen centuries ago, the unresisring out
awful Senators were found by them sitting in their
curule chairs In stony passive majesty And
the barbarians feared to strikel The Pontif and
his friends and adherents declare loudly thar Italy
has unhappily not feared to strike; that she has
struck but too many deepy-wounding blows at the
Papacy since she has made herself mistress In the
Eternal City. But she has not smitten by great
deal as hard o. she nightmare done; neither has
she done what she mas done without lear
THE ASPIRATION FOR UNITY AND IT'S REALIZATION.
When the disasters OF France made 1t apparent
that nothing stood between Italy and the accom-.
plishment OF her long and ardently cherished long.
ing 10 complete her independent nationality by
making Rome not only an integral part OF the
kingdom, but the crown, head and capital OF it,
save her own fears OF the possible consequences OF
such q step, she stood while wavering between
~ dare notv aud IL would" And II il probable
that, II the decision had rested solely with those
whose ofrlcai position made them responsible to
the nation and to the world for the step, the step
would not have been taken. SO great was the lear