National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-03-18
BISMARCK AND THE CHURCH.
Another Reply to "Veritas."

To the Editor of the National Republican.
SIR: Your correspondent "Yeritas," In his
structures upon "Lex Scripta;" who denounces the
prosecuting policy Of Prince Bismarck, has Ad-
vanced the following propositions, which appear
10 NE altogether inadmissible:
l. "rLex ScriDta' should examine the charge
Of Bismarck" that the Franco German war was
caused by the influence Of the Vatican"
2. at is Q Wellkncwn fact that the head Of the
contrary to the laws Of the German empire"
3. The German premier has "the right to ask
the Italian Government to prevent power re-
siding within its limits from interfering in the
affairs Of the German people,"
Now, sir, i contend that these propositions are
false and untenable. As to the FIRST Lex Scripta"
Is not bound to examine the pretended charge OF
Bismarck against the Vatican 1t is an axiom Of
law, that an accused party is to be considered in
nocent until he has been proved guilty. Bat that
German war has never been proved, and not the
shadow Of proof can be alleged TO establish such
q charge. When the accusers Of the Vatican Will
condescend to produce their evidence It will be
time enough to examine it.
As to the second proposition, nothing could BE-
1t Implies. Suppose the Congress Of the United
States would pass laws which would forbid the
Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist and other
or conferences, to conduct their schools in their
own way, to appoint their own ministers; and,
upon a refusal to comply with these laws, suppose
Congress would abolish the whole religious
organization of those different sects, under the
pretence that they were acting against the laws
OF the United States-Would not these different
religious bodies rise up, with one accord and
with Just Indignation, against such tyrannieal
legislation? Would they not at once protest
against this interference Of the civil power with
matters that do not. belong to its Jurisdiction?
Now, this is precisely the case between Bismarck
and the Catholic Church. The German Premier
has been called upon over and over again to show
when, where and in what way the catholics Of
Germany have resisted the laws of the Empire.
But the challenge has never been met, and never
will be. The German Catholics resist no laws Of
the temporal power, aud the loyalty which they
have uniformly manifested, and the willingness
with which thousands Of them sacrificed their
lives in the late for the benefit Of the State,
are sufficient proof Of what we attest. But,
when the civil power arrogate to itself spiritual
authority which It does not possess, when II IN.
dertakes TO govern the Church, when II enacts
laws subversive Of the whole Christian organiza-
ton, the Catholic people, with their priests and
bishops do not feel authorized 70 obey such legs-
lation, simply because It is null and void.
The laws SO enacted are not civil, but ecele-
slastieai lass, and the state has no right ether
10 make them or 10 enforce them. Those are mot
civil laws which lay down rules for the apPoidt.
ment OF clerHymen In tho holy ministry. Tho5o
are mot civil laws which would control the eduea:
ttol Of the clergy or the religious Instruction OF
youth. Those are not civil laws which presume