National Republican., 1884-04-01
PROPAGANDA PROPERTY.


1t is not my purpose to discuss the justice
of the conversion" of the property Of tho
propaganda by the Italian government. That
may be an open question. 1t is to be remem-
bered. however, that the act Is far loss
sweeping aud severe than the acts of other
governments in reference to the Roman
Catholic church. Let mo briefly state the
facts as 1 understand them. The Society
De Propaganda Eide is an organization at
Rome, and having for its object the propagation
of tho Roman Catholic system of religion
throughout the world. 1t was started by
Gregory XIII in the latter part of the six
teenth century, and was fully organized by
Gregory XIV In 1922. Since then it has been
gradually accumulating funds by large and
small gifts, amounting now, 1t is said. to over
S3,500,000. In its college pupils are gathered
at an early ago from all countries and edu-
Gated for the works of the Romish church in
their own lands. In the American college,
as it is called, there are said to be now over
fifty lads and young men from this country.
The effect Of this education, as bearing on
their American citizenship and American
sympathies, is not now under discussion.
When their education is finished tho young
men are sent out to their work and sustained if
necessary by the propaganda.
With regard to the property that the
Italian government has Converted there is
no question, believe, that it belonged fully
no other owner whatever, and the claim that
it, or any part of it, belonged to the United
States, or to citizens thereof, would never
have been admitted or heard of had not such
a crisis as the present arisen. That money
has been contributed by Americans to the
purposes of the propaganda no more makes the
property American property than the gift of
Smithson makes the Smithsonian institution
British property. Far less BECAUSE first,
only mere fraction Of the funds ever went
from this country, and, secondly, probably
much more has come back than went.
have not the data, of course. The Soc-
ETY. of the Propaganda does not open its books
for general inspection. But if the Italian
government is to be called to account for
American funds invested in that society, it
may reasonably ask for a showing of the
funds of this Roman society invested in
America.
Now, as to the Conversion" itself. By
the laws Of 1866 and 1867 Italy, struggling
| for its freedom, felt compelled to do what
other governments have douo, though she did
it far moro loniently and generously. She
suppressed the burdeusome religious orders
but, instead of confscating their prop
erty, as other nations had done, she ordered
it TO be converted" into government bonds
tho interest, after the payment of taxes and
| expenses, to 60 still to the service of the
church. The propaganda resisted the ap.
pliCation of the laws to its organization,
and the case went to the courts. Tho su :
preme court of Italy has now decided that
the law does apply to the propaganda, and its
property must follow the law. That is all
And whatever our personal views may be as
to the wisdom or justice of the law, il is not
easy to see on what grounds our government
can be called upon to interfere, except possi-
bly, by an appeal. to the magnanimity of Italy
As we write the news comes that our govern :
ment has interfered, and as a result the
American college Of the propaganda has been
exempted from Conversion" If this is so,
the Italian government has shown a modera-
tion that answers the bitter denunciations
lately heaped upon it among us. On the
merits of the case, 1t might, perhaps. appear
that that government has not acted without
strong reason in its legislation on the "re-
ligious orders" Il. S. CHILDs.
WAsHINGTON, March 80.