The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-05-30
THE NEW POPE'S CHARACTER AND
POLICY

THE NEW POPE'S CHARACTER AND
POLICY
Richard Whiteing, the Paris cores
pondent of the World, had a very in
teresting interview with Cardinal Nc
Closkey, the substance Of which he sends
to his paper. Referring to the election
of Leo XIII the Cardinal said that it
was mo surprise to those in the Coun-
ellis of the Church." The policy of the
new Pope was touched upon, and refer
ence was made to the protest against the
spoliation of the Holy See, recently made
by the Pope.
"On this point" returned the Cardi-
nal, 81 am at liberty to say only that
the protest was no surprise to those who
elected Leo XIII, whatever it may
be to others who are wholly outside the
movement of tn 1ught in the Catholic
world"
"Does Your Eminence consider that
the prospects of the Church in its con-
Aict with the civil power are less gloomy
than they were-say at the death of
Plus IXT
"There may perhaps be some slight
change for the better, faint brighten
ing of the sky; but distinguishing
the Church's momentary hopes from
her eternal assurance) cannot say that
there is much improvement in the out
look"
"In France, for instance, does your
Eminence see any likelihood of better
understanding between the Church and
the Liberal majority? l have always
thought that the example of the
United States proves that there is no
necessary antagonism between Catholic
ism and the freest Republican institu-
tions."
"It does prove it," said the Cardinal /;
"but then there is natural con-
servatism in the American people. This
must always be taken into account in
forming an opinion on either our political
or religious questions. There is strong
restraining force among us-I may say
natural moderation which is safe.
guard against excess. If many of oul
] fellow citizens, for instance, do moi
think and believe with the Church on al
points, they are willing to stop far short
cf total and absolute negation and in
fidelity, and to say to her, We go thu.
far together at least ON the same road.
America is Christian and America il
) therefore conservative use the wore
in no party sense. The people are op
posed to extremes, root and branch an
tagonism to any established order O
} things, though it may not happen to b.
one of which they wholly approve. Thi
moderation is not only in their reason, i
is in their character; but, unfortunately
, it is often wanting to both character ant
reason in the French. For the French
man the whole edifice of an unacceptabl
, belief or conviction must fall; though
a bring world about its ears, he canno
. be content to take exception to one Q
:, it's parts. Now if I have fear in m
q country it is lest this despotism shoul
A obtain a certain prevalence there as
6 foreign importation. Our French an
> German refugees have openly proclaime
= it, both now and in the past, and hay
4 professed to see no difference betwee
!, the free republic which has given thel
- shelter and the worst of the Cover,
}. ments by which they were expelled
Ours is not the Republic of their likin,
of their ideal-the Republic, in shor
which is but another name for social SUI
'e version, and therefore they will ha,
a none of it. 1t would be an evil day fl
u the United States were this spirit of il
y tolerance to become the spirit of the pc
is pie, but have no fear of that, becau
IL l have the frmest faith in the CO..
es servatism of the national characte
~ France can never be at peace with he
. self while such spirit is shown in tt
Us national dealings with the Church. Y
. L desire to speak with all respect of th
u country. The French are truly wo
rs derful people, and we ought not to jud,
ne them without rejecting that if our ter
~ perament and good sense have spared
u; from some of the worst evils of freque
W and violent change, circumstances alol
no have spared us from others. From Il
first the Republican foundation of O
society and Government has left lit
an room for the growth of deep-seated a
no tagonisms between class and class"