The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-20

about the Pope, the less so there would he a
fear that Prussia might side with the Italians;
but. on the other hand, Cabinet which tamey
accepted an .ultimatum from Italy would be ex-
posed TO the indignation ana contempt
OF the whole nation Tor having dragged
the honor OF the country into such
diniculLies and would have to resign. But this
resignation would also shatter the whole royalist
party and leave MacMahon bur two choices, either
TO govern by the help Of the republicans, or TO
order plebtscttuns, TO the end that France might
once and Tor all decide her own late and set up II
she pleased,
A THIRD EMPIRE.
MacMahon is not the man to hesitate a day be-
tween two such choices. He has no bellei IN re-
publicanism, and would never assist In establish
ing a regime which must soon or late bring the
radical party into power. Some time ago ne was
royalist and If the Count OF Chambords OBJ
stinacy had not rendered a royalist restoration
impossible he would have gladly helped to en-
throne the chief OF the Bourbons; but, as Henri V.
is now definitely out of the question, MacMahon
would prefer imperialism to the Republic, and he
would take care that the plebtScttum. con-
Quoted under his auspices, should lead to
a Bonapartist victory. Bismarck would much
facilitate that end by threatening plain
terms that if republicanism prevailed Germany
would feel bound to occupy six French depart
ments, to protect herself against those polit
zeal fits and starts which must always be expected
in france when the republicans or radicals are at
the helms and in the result there is not doubt
that France, weaned Of all these crises and excite
ments. which paralyze her trade and keep her con-
tinualy on tenternooks would summon back Ma
poleon ". by u substantial majority.
PEACE TO EUROPE.
This, then, is q summary of the events which
may be shortly Witnessed in France, thanks to
Prince Bismarck's agency; and there Is not a
doubt that II they Dode peace Tor Germany they
also promise peace to Europe for if France and
Germany are Kept, by the restoration OF Napoleon
w.. from going to war again. other nations may go
about Their business in security. To return, how
ever. from my starting point 1t must not be ior-
gotten that the secret OF these impending changes
is that Bismarck feels that he has committed a
blunder In doing battle with the Papacy,
THE CATHOLICS ARE TOO STRONG FOR HIM.
It shows great craftsmanship on his part TO
have made this discovery aud to be SO promptly
de srous OF acting 1t Tor IN his struggle with
the Catholics Bismarck was backed up by two
thirds OF Germany. less astute Minister might
have been stimulated to persevere by the en-
couragements OF public opinion; but Bismarck has
had the shire wdness to that the encourage
ments OF mass OF men processing all sorts Of
heterodox religions but virtually owning no re-
ngious belief at all (for Protestant Germans are in
the bulk sceptics), no counterpoise to the I'M
placable enmity OF l5,0O0,000 Catholics animate
with 4 common purpose and not TO be diverted rom
IL by prosecutions, however strenuous. These
Is 600 Catholics would have ended by dismem-
boring the Empire. Bavaria Is Catholic so are
Wurtemberg and SaXony, 50 is Austria, and SO
also are the populations OF Prussian Poland 1t IS
not to be expected that these States would have
long submitted TO see Prussia pursue her
policy for crushing the religion to which
they are devoted, and one day Bismarck
M ght have found arrayed against him coalition Of
all these Catholic Kingdoms, who would have allied
themselves with France while Denmark started
up and attacked her old enemy in flank. In fact
the new Empire stood In serious danger, and Bis
marcK has been truly wise in detecting the peril
and providing against 1t while 1t was yet time. He
had taken up arms against Power which does
not light with weapons forged by human hands
and, ike many other statesmen before him, he has
found out that
TIE CHURCH Is TERRIBLE FOE
As Cardinal Antoneili Is reported to have said to
a Prussiau envoy. "w hat matters your laws wnen
we have an army OF So 900 priests garrisoned on
your soil and sworn to obey us alone. You know
the value of discipline, and our priests will with.
stand you ike man till they prevail" They
have prevailed, and. once again. 1t is a fortunate
thing Tor Germany that Bismarck should possess
the rare faculty OF knowing when he is beaten.