, 1876-04-02
Eel IBIous LIDE1TY IN SPAIN

Tho question OF ral1pous liberty in Spain
begins to cssumo avery interesting form, nnt
| is already made the post prominent issue
before the Coztes. A!petition in favor Of
"Catholic unity" whiia means prohibition
of every form Of woblip except the Ultra
montane, has been intoduced IN that body,
Ggned by the Papa Nuncio and Spanish
Bishops, and the forzrsr hes also taken occa-
sion to deny that the Iatican has ever grant
ed the present Ministr the least concession
in relation to the Libel OF public Worship
Meanwhile it is assert ID by the Epoca, pub
lished in 11sdrid, IT, the Cortes will ap-
prove the principla II religious tolorAsioa,
and that the Vatican jiu b compelled to ao-
cept it.
Under tho circu1stances attending the
recent election. this ondition Of tho religious
question is little rrnarkable~ Tho Cortes,
as now constituted, !eontains only littls
handful OF Republie ens, who are the princi-
pal opponents Of lltramontanism and de-
Tenders Of rcligiouGolerntion. The Vatican,
through the agencyof tho Papal Nuncio and
the Bishops, took p active part in the c1ec-
e1VA+ AAo AAtICA Aoau1u p1uAuHC4aAutuAoS
threatening pains md penalties against all
membes Of the c ;a1rch who voted against
the interests Of TIL Vatican They prepared
the WY for the mi tnidation Of voters. It
wns with their sdice and approval that in
numerous provinces voters known to be anti
Ultranontane in antiment were deprived of
their voting certificates; that the voting
urns were stuffed, precisely as our bummers
stuff the ballot-bols; thst voters were driven
off by the police ind gems d'arEes, aad in
many cascs were kidnapped and imprisoned
until otter the oletions were over. By such
means the Republican party was almost de-
prived of representation in the Cortes, the
whole number in: hat body being, We believe,
but three and IT, after having carried the
election, the CHI sch party seems unable to
put down the qustion Of religious liberation,
which has suddty risen in the Cortes With
more pertinncitI and probability of success
than ever beforf In point Of fact, We doubt
if the question ~ syer been sa1iously raised
before.
There are tW causes which may help to
account for thisudden de1ance Of the Veti-
can In the dh place, there is large party
of young saen! what may b termed young
spain,-who 10 liberal and progressive in
their relationso education, religion, and the
material progHs of their country. Some Of |
them are Catblics, bat they are sufficiently
ID enlightened to be willing
that other sits should enjoy the right Of !
worship. Otars of them are P1otestants,
aud none ofhcm aro U1tramontana in their
It is large and constantly In
creaa;ng part and ths Radicals, and Irrecon-
cilahles, and;ommunists afiliats with them.
The present forerumont dares not ALLEVIATE
this patty. Without them it would fal to
pieces Like snpe Of sand. It has not strength
enough Of self to retain its power, Ml
IN order to p 50 must conciliota them Il
>'uld gain rthing BY losing them and as1-
Ahng with 10 Church party, sincs the latter
IS impotent|eyond ita spiritual oaiee1- It
'onld not hng man, money, influence, or
power to p Govarnnsnt, and thsss Ars
Iganoina y sh Il nssds nnrs thaa Papal
aa<AzdExs, hls, deszsea bA1l4 sad zadAA