The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-12-10
The Vatican and France.

by LEO XIII. toward the Italian monarchy
and his conciiatory, not to say indulgent,
treatment Of the French republic. Some of
the motives of this inconsistent behavior are
obvious enough, but others OF more subtle
and far-reGching character are suggested in
a recent number OF the Revue des Deur
MOndes. The writer's views are the more
remarkable because they coincide with opin-
ions put forth some ten years ago by Mr.. ST.
GEORGE MTvART, who, we scarcely need to
say, is at once distinguished scientist and
sincere Catholic.
1t Is hardly possible to exaggerate the
contrast presented by the conduct Of the
Vatican toward France on the one hand and
Italy on the other. Notwithstanding the So
called March DEGREES, which were vigorously
enforced against the quiet Trappist and the
liberal Dominican, rs well as against the
busy Jesuit; notwithstanding the Catholic
establishment in France has seen itself sue
cessiyely threatened in its schools, in the
means Of recruiting the priesthood, and in
the mcagre stipends contributed by the State
for its support-the Zealot6 OF the Ultra
montana faction have called In vain upon the
Pontiff to launch the thunders of eXcom-
muncation against the French prosecutors
Of the Church. Leo XIII. would not even
yield to them SO far Us to withdraw
from Paris his diplomatic representative.
While the Italian kingdom left untitled the
post of Ambassador to France, the Vicar OF
CHRIST still remainedin official relations with
the French republic; and the Papal Nuncio,
as the dean OF the diplomatic body, con-
tinues every year to offer President GREvY
the good wishes Of the European powers.
But while the Pope has given France such
proofs OF long-suffering and placable dis
position, he has maintained toward the Ital-
ian Government an austere reserve, accept
ing nothing, proposing nothing showing
himself, in fact. with little more self-re-
straint OF demeanor, no less inflexible OF pur
pose than was his predecessor. And this, too,
toward a country In which policy OF COM
promise and reconciliation would be most
cordially welcomed on the part OF the civil
authorities and the mass Of the citizens.
Why Is it that LEO XIII. shows himself SO
genial and SO tractable outside OF the Italian
peninsula and so intractable at home One
reason is obvious enough, because, namely,
the consolidated monarchy Of Italy was con-
structed at the expense OF the States OF the
Church, and, therefore, the Pope, who man
ages to live at peace with republics the most
opposed to clericalism, cannot bring himself
to accept any kind OF compromise with
the spoliative dynasty installed in the
palace of the Quirinal The plan
OF LEO XIII. seems to have been
to make as many friends or allies as posi-
BILE among the other European Governments
in order to press on Italy with the whole
weight OF Christendom. Among all the diff
culties in which the Roman Church finds
itself involved, the vital question for the
| Vatican is that which Is concerned with its
| dwelling place and its domestic life. In
| Germany, in France, in Switzerland, in Bel
GUM, or in Poland, 1t Is only section or
member of the Church which is attacked. In
Rome, on the contrary, is the Papacy itself,
the head and heart OF Christendom, whose
existence is imperilled
There is, however, according to the Rerte
DIES Delr Mondes, another reason for the
| specially indulgent treatment OF France by
| the Vatican The patience and long suffer-
ing exhibited by LEO XIII. In his dealings
with the French republic is not attributed by
the French writer to hypocritical tactics
| inspired by the necessities OF the moment.
He would explain 1t rather on this ground,
that before the swiftly rising tide Of de-
mocracy the Papacy Is unwilling to connect
| its cause indissolubly with that of monarchy.
Since 1870, at all events, the Holy See Is much
less interested than it once was in the main
tenance OF thrones. Since the loss Of its tenn
poral power, there is some reason to suspect
that the Vatican views the advent Of republic
can institutions with much less CONSERVATION
than is usually ascribed to it, In the pros
poets which terrify conservative politicians,
1t may not improEably recognize chances OF
a new role and opportunities OF rehabilita-
tion for the Church. II thus far the Holy See
has refrained from publicly expressing any
wish for the downfall OF the monarchical
| principle, this may be applicable by the
fact that the Papacy has not yet quite
| dcspaired OF resuming its place among
| the kings OF this world. 1t still reckons
on them to aid it sooner or later in
the restoration OF it's temporal dominion.
But when it shall lose all faith in the support
once looked for from crowned heads, the
Papacy, according to the Rerue, will not long
hesitate to detach its cause from theirs and
to enter upon other paths Of policy. Let the
Vatican be once persuaded that monarchical
power can never be resuscitatcd for the sue
| CtSSpi VI pl' l FL EN- anu ~ Saoiiy II
itself to see 1t collapse all over the world, and
especially in its immediate vicinity. A day,
in short, may come when tho Papacy will
say, If the Vicar Of CHRIST is to he king no
longer, away with kings altogether.
These IDEAS which we find expressed in the
Rerue DIES DeiLr Mondes are almost identical,
as we have said, with the arguments for Il
new departure in the policy Of the Vatican
published by Mr.. ST GEORGE MlvART not long
after LEO XIII. assumed the tiara. Nor can
1t be said that the programme here advo-
Gated is untried and visionary. The relations
which the Papacy maintains with the United
States, with the Spanish American countries,
and with France, notwithstanding the bitter
hostility to clericalism eyinced by the
majority OF French politicians, demon
strate that its existence, and even
its prosperity, may easily be reconcied with
republican institutions. So much, at all
events Is certain, that the Papacy will long
survive the collapse OF monarchy. Neither
Is 1t doubtful that at present the Church Is
one Of the main surviving buttresses Of the