New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-02-18
The Pope and Antonelli.

The Paris correspondent of the London
Times writes on January %: "A rumor was
circulated yesterday that the Pope was Sc
riously i'll, and that Cardinal Antonelll was
at the last extremity. l have ascertaneu
that the Cardinal is really ill, but not TO
such degree as to occasion uneasiness. AS
to the Pope, although much enfeebled, he
has not discontinued holding receptions.
These rumors were probably Bourse gossip,
and there was . considerable fall yesterday
in Italian stocks; but some attribute this to
difficulties having arisen as to the govern
ment purchase of the upper Italian rail-
ways, which difficulties have arrested the
defnitive arrangement, on the point OF
being negotiated. 1t is announced, indeed,
that the directors of these railways, who
have come to Paris to attend the general
meeting to which the treaty is to be sub
mitted, have had long conference today
with Chevalier Nigra. the Italian am0 g.
sador, and that at the end Of the interview
he sent long telegram to his government.
believe the fall in Italian securities Is due
to this railway question, rather than to the
rumor respecting the Pope and the Car
dinal; not that the importance of anything
bearing on their health is to be moderated,
but because every body is now aware that
the Italian government is resolved before
hand, whenever the present Pope dies, to
protect to the utmost of its ability the
liberty of the Conclave against all the pres
sure from within or without.
Undoubtedly, the death of Plus lA 8.
whose personality stands for so much IN the
relations between Italy and the Vatican,
and, it may be said, in the anxiety OF the
world. would make profound sensation;
but. beyOnd what this sensation would bOr-
row from the personal disappearance OF
Plus TX any alarm as to the future indie
pendence of the COnclave is, to say the
least. premature. The Italian government
has always protested its determination to
insure the entire liberty of the cOuclave.
Its we'll known policy consists in rendering
detinitively possible the present position OF
the spiritual and temporal power, and there
in this respect.
This profound idea. worthy of the politi-
cal spirit of the Italian people, seems,
moreover, to be understood by the whole
nation; and. setting aside the most extreme
among the IIalians, there is every ground
for thinking that in such a contingency all
moderate Italy would rally round the gov
eminent aud strengthen it's determination
to protect the liberty of the Conclave
The only trouble which could then arse
would be if the Sacred College, not con-
fding in the declarations Of the govern
ment, or resolved not to c"ntide in them,
were to assemble voluntarily and epOntan-
eOusly elsewhere than at Rome and outside
of Italian territory. Tkis, however, can not
at present be spprehended if thOse are to
be believed who have been able to form an
idea on the subject 1t is known, indeed,
that in consequence of certain rumors, men
anxious as to the eventual liberty of choice
Of the Popes successor, have sOuaded the
Italian government. and that it has given
them thu fullest assurances on the
point, affirming that NO recent external
events have altered its policy or
resolutions, and that it is still
DESTROYS OF conserving to Rome and Italy
the advantages and strength they derive
from the presence of the spiritual power
and irs Representative. Tne same persons
were uneasy at the elevation of Signor de
Laupay to The rank of ambassador in Ger
many, but they we're told that the Italian
government considered the elevation of the
Italian diploma io mission in Germany to
the rank of an embassy only as begin
ming, that the preeant position of Italy justi
fed it's wish to be repre- seuted abroad by
AMBASSADORS ana that successive pegotia-
tions would be directed TO the establish.
ment of embassies wherever the other Euro
peau powers are accustomed to keep am
bassadOrs.
All this shows that at the present mo
ment the questions connected with the
health OF the Pope in no way justify the
immediate alarm or the contingent anxiety
"a to the results of the Popes death. lmay
add that. in spite OF the Intention Of Italy to
raise it's ENJOYS to the great powers to the
rank OF ambassadOre, no direct negotiation
has been - vet entered upon on this SUBJ
iect between Italy and France"