Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-02-09
ROME AND BERLIN.
A Common Sense View of the Contest
Between Bismarck and the Pope.


From the New York Tribune.l
The contest between the German govern
ment and the Roman Catholic church is rap
cnowski afIer the coufiscation of all his prop
erty by repeated fines, has been imprisoned
for appointing parish priests without the con-
sent OF the civil authorities, and for threaten
ing one of his priests with excommunication.
Pastors who derive their appointment from
him have been warned that they will be pun
ished if they attempt to execute any ecclesi-
astical functions. One or the official newspa-
pers of Germany has aroused general excite
ment and alarm by h1ntlng that something
must be done to restrain the violence of the
ITltramontane press, not only within the en-
pire, but in France and Belgium. The houses
OF the Jesuits have been broken up, and the
members OF the society are compelled 10
choose between quitting the country Gnd
abandoning their religious character. In
short, the imperial government makes no Sc
cret of its belief that Ultramonsnli that is to
say the religious opinion OF nearly ali Catholic
Germany, is subversive of the established pO-
litical order, and does not conceal its inten-
ton to assume the control of all ecclesiastical
appointments and OF all religious education,
not to speak of more violent measures against
/ the most conspicuous of the papal champions.
The result of years contest in this matter
is beginning TO appear. The gOvernmenthas
got one archbishop in prison, and has encour-
aged the formation of congregations of the Old
Catholics-of which congregations there were
about one hundred in the empire, according
to the statement Of Bishop Reinkens last sep
tember. But on the other hand an extraordi-
nary impulse has been given to the church
party and the recent elections have enor-
Ipously increased the strength Of the Ultra
montane opposition in the German parlia-
ment This, of course, was to have been ex-
pected. The surest way to encourage the
Roman Catholics was TO martyr an OBSTINATE
archbishop or two, and as Prince Bismarck is
likely TO 20 on nom one hostile measure to
another, II is plain that the danger OF serl-
Gus conflict becomes greater and greater
avery daL While the civil power continues
on its present course, we do not see
where IL can stop short OF asserting
the absolute right of the state 10 SET up o! put
SoTs of free speech and free thought preten-
sion of that kind would be iaLal 70 any parry
that should put it forth. The doctrines OF tne
Roman Catholic church are just InS same
here that they are in Germany ana Ihere Is
no part of the world in which the pope mas
more devoted and uncomprlslng a~aheIens ~
than in the United States. American
bishops exercise freely the authority Whicn
the archbishop of PoSen is sent 10 Jall
for assuming, and priests may preach, say
mass, teach anything they please, or e4com-
municate, with bell, book and candle, anu OUT
government, will never trouble It's mead ABOUT
derive from the free consent OF their
parishioners Their commands are Dindlng
/ only on the consciences of their people. II
gets on comfortably enough without
only taking caIe that all denominations have
I iair play and keep the peace. IL seems to us
/ that the simplest solution of the difficulty in
{ Germany would be to adopt the American
( principle of a free church in q free State
I Whatever Americans may think about the
I doctrines OF Rome and the assertions of the
I syllabus, the German method OF refutlng
them Is repugnant TO all our notions CT liber-
/ " and equality.
The cable announces that Mrs. Faw-
cett has been thrown from er horse and dan.
gerously injured. Mrs. Fawcett is the wife OF
! Professor Henry Fawcett, NJ. p, and professor
/ Of political economy at Cambridge. She was
born in 1857 at Aldborough, suffolk, and is a
I sisfer of DR.. Elizabeth Garrett Anderson the
/ ,1onnlar lady phN 81 clan and memb Der of the
school board for Marylebone. Mrs. Fawcett
p p noSt knovvn as a prominent member OF the
Eemale Suffrage society and an able and ear
,esf advocate of the extension of the fran
! nbsse 20 female taxpayers She is also the
! .,,t1,or ~ a. Political Economy for Beginners,
aud has since been al able assistant OF her
husband In his political ana sclehtlc lahors
/ she ii one OF the most popular women IN Ed g
l land and IS admired alike for her eleVerness
amiabiIity and personal attractions.