The New York herald., 1875-07-18
THE CHURCH IN BELGIUM.
The War Between the Clerical Party and
The Liberals Becoming Intensified.
Monasticism Asserting Its Hold Over the
Mind Of the Rural Population
What a Reformer Experienced
in Flanders.
A Great Battle Between
Thought and Dogma.
ALI Europe Likely To Be Moved from the
Little Kingdom.

CLIENT, July 8, 1875.
The Senate has passed without discussion the
bill rendering the proposal 10 commit certain
crimes penal. AS the pressure or the German
government had rendered the adoption of the
new law foregone conclusion, perhaps that
august BODY acted with discretion, II not dignity
in dispensing with the solemn comedy OF o de-
bate.
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE POLITICIANS.
In this town. where liberalism is 30 strong, It
might be diflcult for superficial observer to
unnerstand at first sight how the Catholic Church
can be seriously object OF alarm to politicians.
Every educated man you meet with is strongly
opposed to the pretensions OF the priesthood, ana
the majority appear to regard the doctrine ana
ceremonial OF the Church Of Rome With feelings
or intense aversion. Where then, 1t may be
asked, can be the danger In q country consltu.
should ever be enabled TO tyrannize over che re-
mainder OF their fellow citizens?
THE RURAL POPULATION.
The truth is that in Belgium as In France the
rural population weighs heavily ON the inhasi-
rants OF the great towns. Between the skilled
artisan OF Gnens and the farm laborer VINO may
be toiling at q distance OF only TWO or three miles
from him there is wide gulf. In cities, tho
Club the cafe, the liberal Journal only too spiciy
written, prove more attractive to the working
man than church services or religious process
sions. Moreover, the clergy cannot exercise the
same vigilance over their aocks in large centres
ofpopulation as they can in little villages OF which
they know every inhabitant, and can daily watch
the gong out and the coming in OF each. In
deed. II
THE STATEMENTS OF LIBERALS
are TO be relied on, the clergy administer kind
Of Caude rule over some OF thc rural communities
in which they are supreme The dwelers In one
parish are obliged TO go TO bed at nine O'Clock,
alter which hour no light is permitted even on
the darkest nights gentleman who passed
some time IN Flemish hamlet declared that
life was made insupportable to HIM. He
was suspected Of the hateful CRIME OF
entertaining liberal opinions and stunned as q
dangerous wild beast or leper. Having occasion
to undertake journey he dared not leave his
wife and children behind him for fear that violence
or insult should be offered them. No servant
would stay with MIN, one would let him
house, children followed him through the streets
with execrations, women made the sign OF the
cross as he passed. At length he alleges that he
only obtained dwelling place by promising to be
converted, to 20 to confession and burn taper TO
the Virgin Mary.
CATHOLICS ANSWER THIS CHARGE
by a nat denial or the narrator's veracity. But
LhAJ bnc pTieStuOOu uOeS e1eTClbe an Unparalleled
despotsm over the minds OF men in this country
there can be NO sort OF doubt In Bruges it is I'm
possible to OBTAIN novel at the circulating
library, as the clergy dlsapprovo OF works OF nc
ton and proprieters OF libraries DO not venture to
run counter 10 their wishes. The device on the
seal with which all the books are marked In the
principal library Is q representation OF the Immac-
ulate Conception.
THE ATTACKS ON THE PILGRIMS.
In view Of such grave facts the recent attacks
on pilgrims, though they cannot be justified, are
In a large degree explained. Liberals see In pill
grmages Q revival OF religious lervor; and rellg-
Ious iervor, even when based on the most cher
ished truths Of the Christian faith is fraught
with elements OF danger TO society. We see In the
early history Of the Church how the generous en-
thusiasm OF the nrst disciples displayed itself In
the establishments OF
A COMMUNITY OF GOODS
among the brethren, and the sacred writings
afford q glimpse OF the abuses which followed
as d natura consequence from the system. Faith,
teo, except IN the strongest minds, is hostile to
liberty; and zeal for the interests OF the Church
has lent to the gen tlest spir1ts--to Mary Tudor
or O Francis OF Sales-a gloomy tinge OF fanati-
eism. SANITY men and women have too often
been the most cruel OF prosecutors; and
In time ana country where rellg-
Ious zeal Is almost invariably accompanied
by an acceptance OF the worst propositions OF the
encyclical-that is, with an svowed dislike OF
federation and OF the independence OF the secular
government from the control OF ecclesiastical au-
thorlty-the signs OF Catholic revival may well be
regarded with uncasiness. AS In Protestant
England the preaching OF Messrs. Moody and
sankey is looked upon with feelings OF profound
distrust by cultivated persons. though nine out Of
every ten profess belief scarcely disunguishabie
from that OF
THE AMERICAN EvANGEIIsrs.
so In Catholic Belgium the most respectable and
orthodox citizens view with lmpatence and
alarm the organization OF eeremonials which are
intended TO lash an already bigoted multitude
into paroxysms OF religious mania. Such are
especially the sentiments OF the younger genera
tion, VINO have been nourlshed on dinerent intel
lectual pabulum, TO the legends OF La Salette or
the rhapsodies Of Marie slacoque. and who have
proper appreciation OF the history Of their coun-
try and a sympathy with the best Of modern
ideas. Nor can the Catholics pretend that
they have been uniformly the victims Of aggres-
sion. Only the other day two bands OF clerical
holyday makers excited the mirth OF the profane
by falling foul OF another in the twilight and
coming to vigorous blows; nor could they be
separated but By the Intervention OF tAe police.
Quite recently, TOO, few tourists frem Brussels
VINO paid Visit 10 st. Nicholas, were shocKingy
handled by the rabble, as It now turns out. on a
mere rumor tnat they were liberals The burgo-
master and aldermen OF st. Nicholas put forIA in
deed
cIRcUMsTANTIAL STATEMENT
to the efTecs that in the nrst place the strangers
were armed with sticks, aud that loaded one
had fallen into the hands OF the police second
that they had paraded the streets brandishing
their canes ana singing the "Marseillase - taird
that they had hissed and hooted at a religious
procession.
THE OFFICIAL REPORT.
1t is painful TO be obliged 10 add that this on
clal report has been proved 10 be utterly erro-
neous, the magistrate charged to inquire into the
case having come 10 the conclusion that thero is
absolutely no evidence whatever against the
tourists from Brussels, and 1t Is dinlcut TO acqut
the municipal authorities OF 81. Nicholas OF having
deliberately put forth assertions they had nos
takon the trouble to prove.