The New York herald., 1874-08-02
AN AMERICAN POPE.
A Radical and Equitable Settlement OF
the Roman Question.

10 exist on the 2Oth OF september, 1870 When VIC
tor Emmanuel's army took possession OF the Eter-
nal City, l do not believe 1t to be possible for
keen and Impartial observer to deny the fact that,
far from being dead and buried the Roman ques-
ton is together with the Eastern problem, and TO
an equal II not superior degree, the very black
point which threatens Europe with general con-
fagration at moments notice.
The Papacy, as 1t existed since the times OF Char
lemagne, with a temporal sovereignty not power
ful enough TO ever become to any one,
but yet sufficient to secure the perfect ndepen-
dence OF the Holy See, was, it should not be for
gotten, the key stone of that European politico-
social building which neither the Reformation nor
the French observation-disclosures two solemn thunder
storms-succeeded in pulling down. SO wonderful
was the vitality impressed to 1t by the genius OF
Roman Catholicism.
1t IS easy to understand, then why notwith-
standing the present total obiteraion OF his tenn
poral power, Plus TX. remains the prominent dg-
ure OF the world, not simply because he s the head
OF Catholicity but also, and much more because, |
though deprived Of his States, he still is the highest
personacation OF that principle OF authority. the
very basis OF European governments-either mon
archica or republican, the ticket does not matter.
II an illustration OF my allegation were needed
I would only refer to the snuddertng OF anxiety
which Is universally felt from end to the other
of the earth, but more especially In Europe, every
time the teegraphic spark brings the news of an
indispOsition OF the Holy Father.
Were Queen Victoria, or the Gar or the En-
peror Wilnelm--Or Bismarck himself-to die to-
morrow the Impression resented at large would
be sound, no doubt especially on the dismissal OF
the German Chancellor, who Is the deadly antag-
onist OF the Vatican. But even the death OF the
Teutonic Mephisto would not by far cause fright
full commotion like the one sure to follow the
worldwide spreading of those four words,
'.THE POPE Is DEAD"
and this tremendous shock will not result solely
out OF the noble character OF Plus *, whose stub
bornness In what he believes his right has reached
the limits OF subnmity. MOI But the present
Pope having maintained unrestricted his non
pOssunatls against the spirit OF the nture and
never missed an occasion OF revendicat1ng the
ST. Peters dOminionS as as integrant part
OF the traditions OF the Church, his death will, OF
course. be the signal Tor the reOpening or that
deadly struggle between the declining ana the
rising politco-socal order of things, each one of
which is earnestly advocated by powerful nations.
armed to the teeth and ready to take the field for
the triumph Of their scheme. Already and Tor
years past the great impending contest RACES in
the diplomatic spheres, and no one Is ignorant OF
the numperess eXertions, combinations and in
trigues to which both partisans and enemies of the
temporal power have had recourse in order to pre-.
pare the ground and secure the election OF Pope
favorable TO their exclusive views on that ques-
tion.
1t may be thus asserted that the future Concave
Will have to fulfil the most difficult and delicate
task which was ever imposed upon an electoral
| body it being placed between two adverse par
| ties, equally strong and imperious IN their de-
mands which do not admit OF the least concia-
| ton. on one side, the Jesuitc or utramontane
| ArnaO n fha
pora power, and has for its supporters France
(her government. ut leastI, Spain Portugal.
Austria Belgium and the south OF Gel many. On
the other side the so-called liberal and anti-pa-
pist Europe represented by England Italy, Hol-
land, Russia and, above ALL Prussia, which leads
that implacable crusade against the Vatican
not so much on account OF the emancipation OF
mankind from the clerical yoke as lOr the sake of
that most to be dreaded form OF despotlsm-a
State religion, on the model OF Russian ortho-
doxy-the Kaiser becoming then o two-headed
despot, like his good brother, the Gar, at the
same tine Emperor and Pontin holding In his
right hand the keys Of siberia and IN his left one
those of Paradise. In fact, the highest political
interests are involved in this question-Who will
be the future POpeS
Suppose that the COnclave should elect to the Su-
preme Pontincate OF the Catholic Church red man
entirely devoted to the ultramontane Interpretation
of the apostolic sacerdoce including Popish in fall
b,lIty and temporal sovereignty that IL to say
member Of the overwhelming majority among
cardinals), it Is but too evident that schism OF
an unheard Of magnitude, closely followed by the
most horrible politico-religiOus war, would burst
ont and cover the old Continent with streams OF
blood and heaps OF wrecks.
Suppose, on the contrary (which is very I'M
probable), that the haughty Chancellor and his
| ouio oho In inN MOI no Iavn
so as to the return to the Holy See Of OF
the Jew Cardinals lether Italian or Germany more
or less openly adverse to Antoneln's policy, and
| whose drst act as a Pope would be TO give up the
antique claims Of the Papacy undauntedly de-
| tended by Plus TX. in short, Pope willing to
| make his peace with Victor Emmanuel and ac
! knowledge the Old Catholics, headed by Father
Hyacinthe and Canon D6llinger, as genuine sheep
| OF the Christian nocS. Well an equally disastrous
connagration would salute the election OF such q
! liberal Pope, which election would be with reason
considered as an invaluable triumph for Bis
marck's policy and decisive step towards Ger
man dictatorship all over Europe.
Moreover, 1t may be said that politics and religion
! are unfortunately SO much mixed at the present
day In Europe, owing to the state OF confusion and
! decompostiOn into which that Continent Is
/ plunged, that, apart from the utramontane ten
dcncles Of the wnole French and Austrian episc0-
pates the appointment to the chair OF 81. Peter OF
an Austrian or French Cardinal especially II q
French one) would not-and, let US say, could not
be tolerated by Prince Bismarck, and would arouse
anew the International hatred from the Danube to
the Loire.
However Plus ks death is An event which can
not Iong be delayed, If we consider the old age and
! irlhrmties Of the venerable Pontin, whose dis
! fnissal Will be the signal for the meeting OF the
( Conc!ave and the election Of another Pope.
How, then, are we to avoid the tremendous hur
ricane which, 1t seems, must fatally burst out a
that time
simply by the election OF prince OF the Church
altogether exempt by both his nationality and h'
education OF the traditional influences and secula
prejudices characteristic OF the European Catholic
uho could moi be suS