The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-16

The Pope's Latest Uttcrancc.
When we mark the time Of its publication,
we can hardly miss the significance OF LEO
| NILS last Encyclical. Alike in Italy and
Germany, its tone and purport will be
scanned with the kccncst interest, and Cath
olics everywhere will be prompted to trace
its bearing on the grave political and social
crisis existing in those countries.
Under circumstances somewhat analo-
gous, allocutions and cncyclicals were put
forth by the Pontirrs predecessors but they
brcathcd distinct spirit and implied n very
| different attitude On such occasions the
stern, sad uttorancc Of Plus TX. seemed to
recall rather the voice Of JEREMIAH de-
nouncing rctrbuton. than the voice Of EZRA
invoking hopeful cooperation and forecast
ing the speedy rehabilitation OF his people.
In tho words OF rcproof and lamentation
which then issued from tho Vatican there
was no intmation OF compromise, no trace
of cOnciliatOry temper, OF n willingness
to accept accomplished facts. But no
close observer can have failed to
discern different disposition on the part OF
the present head OF the Church. From the
first speech delivered In Consistory 10 the
letter now before us. all his expressions bear
but one construction-they reveal q stead
fast purpose, on the ono hand, to surrender
none Of the lawful claims OF the Papacy, but
on the other to abandon the futile policy OF
isolation. And here, in their latest form.
they are almost tantamount TO prolfcr OF
copartnership with the Conservative forces
OF society, n partnership to which the
Church might undoubtedly contribute much,
and from which she would assuredly exacl
an equivalent return.
Certainly the time /. not III chosen for a
renewal Of the age-long league between the
Governments of Europe and the spiritual
authority Of the Vatican. In Germany and
in Italy the head Of the State has but mar
rowly escaped the hand OF an assassin and
the inability Of the civil power TO cope with
the elements OF social dissolution without
infringing the principles OF Parliamentary
rule, Is proclaimed by Continental COnscrva-
tivcs generally AT this moment no ministry
can command n majority OF the Italian
Parliament because the Liberal leaders
cannot agree about the method Of dealing
with the disturbers OF order. Nor from a
Conservative point OF view could a change
for the better be- expected from new cleo
tions, which will summon TO the polls a
much larger body Of voters qualified by the
late extension Of the suffrage. This is only
true however, provided the policy OF total
abstention from politics shall be maintained
by the Vatican. But the case might bc re-
versed, If basis Of agreement could be ar
ranged between the Papacy and the Govern
ment Of HUMBEBT l.. and II, in pursuance OF
such compact, the ranks Of Conservatives
were swollen by the whole clerical party Of
the Peninsula. When we consider the ur-
gent necessities Of the State, we cannot
wonder that Italian newspapers should in
tcrprct this wcl-timcd letter rs distinct
suggestion that Catholics might bc per-
mitted, under certain conditions, to partc-
pate in political elections.
The relation Of this Encyclical to the dinl-
culties raised in Germany by BIsMABCK's
new project, is equally striking. 1t is oby-
Gus that the bill - be presented at the COM
ing session Of the Reichstag, and which pro-
poses To trammcl the freedom OF debate, is
primarily and overtly aimed at the Social
lists. Besides the small body Of members
specially contemplated, the party OF Prog
ress and more or less considerable frac-
tion of the Liberals will certainly oppose
this measure II they can count on the sup
port, a. they could in their recent struggle
against the Socialist bill, Of the
hundred Ultramontane members, they can
probably defeat the will of BISMARCK; but
how, in the face OF LEO NILS new letter
can German Catholics consent to array
themselves any longer, or for any purpose
on the side Of principles which the Pope has
pOlntcdly denounced as the most sinister
agencies u social disintegration? On what
pretext can Herr WISDHoRsT rally his fol-
lowers, in or out OF the Rclchstag, TO the
defence Of his quOndam Socialist allies after
such an outspokcn and peromptory man
date from the head Of the Church?
The present Eneycllcal Is only the natural
corOlary Of Pope LEO's preceding utter
anc"s. Each successive revelation OF his
policy fortilies our opinion that the i'm
mcuso influence OF the Papacy will be
turned TO practical account in the field
Of current politics under the now Pontin-
cate. just what terms will be insisted
on and what concessions may be
vouchsafcd by the Vatican in the event
Of an understanding being reached
with the Italian aud German Governments
We can hardly expect to know, until the at
titudc Of the Roman Cura now controlled
by the appointecs OF his predecessor, shall
have been brought into better accord with
the intentions Of LEO XIII. And for that
reason we look forward with peculiar in
torc7t to the creation OF twelve new Cardi-
mails, which Is announced for an early date
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Coming Changes in the Senate.