New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-04-27

SlDl6 tUdU tuc CubhC ouiiShNNA "
other Of the hostile powers.
1t seems probable, from hints which some OF
the Paris journals let fall, that the clergy mas
for some time past-at least in certain pro-
vinces of France-fallen into the habit OF
electioneering for its favorite candidates. 10
what extent, or how openly, this was prac-
ticed, we are not yet informed; but the TACT
has been brought out by the Committee OF the
Chamber of Deputies appointed to investigate
the contested elections. The case OF DE Nun
of Pontivy, who was charged with owing his
election entirely to the illegal interference OF
the clergy, provoked the UltramOntane journals
into very impOlitic excitement: the lnvestl-
cation was pronounced ga blasphemy." About
the same time Minister Waddington presented
the project of a law restoring to the State the
sole power of comforting University degrees.
This step greatly increased the excitement OF
the Church party. On the 3Oth OF March thlrty
bishops assembled as founders" of the Uni
versty of Paris under the presidency of Car
dinal Guibert, decreed two new chairs OF Jurls-
prudence, and adopted protest against Wad-
dington's project. The liberal journals de-
nOunce their action as violation OF existing
laws, while the Ultramontane Unipers and
Monde declare that Bossuet's Declaration of
1852 and the so-called "Gallicn Constitu-
ton of the Catholic Church in France arc
superseded forever.
About the same time the Committee of the
Chamber of Deputies summoned the Cardinal
Archbishop of Paris and the Bishop of Vannes
before them. The latter accepted the sum-
mons the former waited until the 9Th inst,
when he declined to appear, adding: Among
"the struggles of the parties which now lace
crate our country, consider that the minis
"ters of religion will act wisely in avoiding
everything which may compromise the sacred
"minstry with which they are invested, Tor
"the good of ALL" On the following day, Du-
faure, Minister of Justice, was asked by the
Committee whether the Declaration OF 1862 Is
still taught in the episcopal seminalles. lie
answered that he would cause inquiry to be
made whereupon the Unirers bluntly declared
that an inquiry was unnecessary, the articles
of Bossuet not being taught anywhere. These
articles, which, in spite of more than one Papal
ban, have had validity in France for nearly
two hundred years. were read by B0ssuet to
the assembled body of the clergy and are
known as "The Declaration of the Clergy OF
- France" Inc HfSI anu nlOsL lHlpoI tiH1 di
Gle is as follows: "Jesus Christ gave to SAINT
"Peter and his Successors rule over spiritual
/" things; but he did not give them the power,
"either directly or indirectly, to dcpose kings
cor to release subjects from their oath OF al
"legiance." The laws of France relating to
ecclesiastical authority are based on Bossucts
"Declaration !" therefore, to conform to the
present attitude of the Church. they must he
remodeled on the basis of the Syllabus of Plus
TX. Although many of the clergy still refrain
from making this demand, it is the logical
outgrowth of their position.
The ground covered by the conflict is thus
clearly marked ont. The Church in France
continues to affirm, III eff Ct what the Gpdfd
Cat0Hca declared, on the 18th of March,
1871 "The Pope is the sovereign judge oil
"civil laws The State is bound to the en-
forcemcnt of existing enactments: 1t must
uphold these until superseded by new ones.
For the present, it can only preserve its chal-
lenged authority by digniied resistance.
The majority, undoubtedly, is fearful of pro-
voking an extreme struggle but the struggle
itself lies in the anomalous relation of the two
interests, and there can be no attempt to
reconcile them without renewing it, The FUR
ther development OF this new trouble III
France will be awaited with the keencst in
terest by every one who comprehends the far
reaching scope Of the question, and its I'M
menso influence upon the future oil "a large
portion of the civilized world.