New-York tribune., 1874-12-15
RELIGION IN EUROPEAN POLITICS.


1t is singular to observe how the entire as
pect of religious controversy in Europe seems
of late years to have changed. There is
scarcely any violent pOlemic going on in re-
gard to creeds and texts. Even where
demonstration is made, like that momentous
one of TyndalI, according to matter the prom
ise and potency of every form of life, the
challenge excitcs no response at all cOmmen-
surate with its significance and Importance.
1t does not seem to be possible to arouse any
great public interest in any mere question OF
religious belief, either among opposing theo-
lOgians or between them and the representa-
tiyes of materialistic science. But the instant
the relations between the Church and the State
as organized powers are touched by practical
politicians, the cOmmOtiOn and effervescence
are like that produced by dropping crumb
of bread into glass Of champagne. The
Archbishops of Canterbury and Westmn-
ster might have debated the question OF
transubstantiation for q year together without
producing more than languid interest among
their respective churches. But the instant Mr..
Gladstone began to expOstulate with his Ro-
man Catholic fclOw-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 splr-
itual sovereign, it is not too much to say that
the attention OF every thinking person in the
British Empire was at once arrested. The dis
cussiOn thus aroused has only just begun, but
it is reasonably certain that it cannot close
without throwing needed light upon the
hitherto obscure question of the conflict OF
in Epfr nd
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 infalliblity
set on foot the present profound agitation 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 ecclesiastic
and the civil authorities in regard to such ex-
ternal 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 is
never asserted or apparently cared for on
either side, that their respective doctrines are
essential to the salvation Of souls; but the
whole quarrel is that the Catholics think the
Government brutally tyrannical, and the Gov
ernment accuse the Catholics of being rebellous
and seditiOus. 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 preseut. The deputies who adhere
to the clerical party not only attack the in
ternal policy of the Government, but bitterly
accuse it of feeble and unpatriOtic manage
ment of it's foreign policy. Herr JOerg ac-
cused Prince Bismarck of failure in Spain and
cOwardice towards Russia, and Herr Windhorst
taxed him with endeavOring to incite the
country to civil war. On his part, the Chan
celor was not backward in the defensive
" with offensive return" He declared that
Kullmann was one of the clerical party; that
his crime was committed in their interest
and added that tho assassin told him
at Kissengen that he belonged to the
d" Center or UltramOntane party"
defniteness which was evil
dently received with great increduity by
the opposition. 1t is a little hard to believe
chat Prince Bismarck imagines this madman's
act was the result of political plot against
him. But the fact that he is willing to make
an insinuation so wounding and so improbable,
in a legislative assembly, shows what virulence
has entered into the contest which he is now
waging against the clerical party in Germany.
The day after this extraordinary scene, the
Chancellor provoked another of the same kind
by declaring in his speech justifying the dis
continuance of diplomatic relations with the
Vatican that the Pope desired the defeat of
Germany in the late war, and that this could
be proved This is not impossible, but it be-
longs to class of facts which European
statesmen have been in the habit OF treating
with extreme reserve
Scarcely less significant In its violence WAS
the demonstration made only few days ago
in the French Assembly by SO learned and able
a man as MOnseigneur DupanlOup. In the course
Of q debate OH the proposition to free the Uni
versity from Government control, the Bishop
of Orleans needlessly envenOmed the discus
sion by denOuncing the Republican Left as
dangerous to society, and as being in some
way accessory after the fact to the murder of
the Archbishop Of Paris. OF course such Ian
guage was followed by tumultuOus interrup-
TONS and the passionate prelate was properly
and severely rebuked by NJ. Challemel- -Lacour.
1t is deplorabe, in the interests of religion
as well as good government, that
men cannot differ upon matters of pub
lie concern without accusing each other
Of being assassins. So far as we can Judge
from the present aspect of things in the three
most enlightened countries of Europe, there is
no question which so excites the worst passions
Of men as that of ecclesiastical administration.
Every debate, every conflict, every tumult
which arises out Of these discussions, seems to
bring out into clearer light the wisdom of the
system, psacticed by us not 20 much through