The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-17


Chicago Tribune.
The controversy between Bismarck and the
Vatican dates from the formation of the Ger
pire was established it became necessary to take
decisive measures in dealing with the Vatican.
If the nfallibility of the Pope was accepted the
independence of the Empire must be forfeited
Catholic bishops and other clergy were subsi-
died by the government; the question then
arose: Should they be amenable to it, or to the
Roman Curiaq Should the Church or should the
Empire control the schools7 The answer was
first given July 8. 1871, when the Roman Catho-
lie department of the Cultus ministry was abol-
ished, soon followed by q law intrustlng educa-
ton to the State The emissaries of Plus TX
called Ultramontanes because they came from
beyond the mountains that is from
Rome-strusgled to retain their influence; but a
law prohibiting ultramontane agitation. The
Pope was not long in retaliating. May 2, 1872,
he refused to receive Cardinal Hohenlohe as
German Ambassador. thereby openly severing
diplomatic relations between himself and Kaiser
Wilhelm. Twelve days later Prince Bismarck
openly declared in the Reichstag; "Of this you
may be sure: we will not 60 to Canossa
either in our ecclesiastical or politi.
cal relations" Nothing could be more
explicit than this allusion to that famous episode
in the Middle Ages when the Emperor Henry
Nv. after years OF stubborn warfare, went peni-
tent and barefoot to Canossa to ask pardon Of
naughty Hildebrand. Bismarck boasted that
such humiliation should never come to him. He
rocked not Of Pope Plus, for at that time he did
not need Pope Pius's help. On the contrary. he
could best serve his own ends, and he could bind
more firmly the imperial fetters upon the not al
together willing German States by openly war
ring with the Vatican. In order to put his VIC
tory to a practical test, laws were introduced
into the Prussian Parliament in which specific
measures were proposed for counteracting the
past influence of the Roman clergy and for cut
ting of its opportunities for work in the future
These laws known by the name of DR.. Falk-
Bismarck's Minister of Public Worship and Edu-
cation-were four in number. The first forbade
making of punishment incurred for religious
offense civil and social stigma; the second at
tackled the clergy in their stronghold by obliging
all candidates to ecclesiastical Offices to be gradu
ates of State gymnasium and university;
the third prescribed the steps to be taken
by person wishing to leave the Roman Catholic
Church. and the fourth established royal court
for the settlement Of clerical difficulties. These
laws were passed in the month of May, 1873
whence they are frequently called the "May
laws"-and their promulgation at once widened
the chasm between Berlin and Rome. A further
| statute which was accepted by the Reichstag in
the following year achieved the supremacy of
the state. The clergy were forbidden to dis
charge their functions without civil permission
and the imperial government assumed the power
Of imprisoning those ecclesiastics who. having
been removed from any Office. persisted in per-
forming its functions. On Jan. %, 1875 another
law was passed making civil marriage obligatory
| and binding, and giving permission to the Romish
clergy to marry civilly. The arrest of numerous
clergynen who transgressed the May laws. and
the stringent enforce ement of those laws warned
the Pope that he had nothing to hope from
Prince Bismarck. Plus was consistent in de-
nouncing this anti-clerical legislation, and
he was consistent in refusing to reopen
any tentative diplomatic negotiations, be-
to contradict his favorite belief in his own in
faibility. For Eve or six years there were no
official relations between the Vatican and Ber-
lin. In the interval, Plus TX died. being succeed
ed by Leo XIII. The situation in Prussia
changed. AS che empire grew more cohesive the
| enemies of Prince Bismarck became bcldsr, and
| the Chancellor, who had laughed at q papal al
| lance, began to find that even that might be
necessary for him. In 1883. to curb the power
OF clericals had been purely question OF prin-
ciple; in 1882 there was no talk of principle 1t
| was expedient; and with Bismarck expedience is
the sole motive Justice and truth he uses just
as he uses injustice and tricks when he believes
that they will serve his purpose Therefore.
| during the last two three years gradual
reconciliation has been going on between him
and the Vatican. At first, In 1881, modus
vivendi was established, and since thar time the
| cordality has grown, causing negotiations to-
ward the resumption of diplomatic relations in
| 1882 the introduction. in 1883, of new Prus-
sian Church bill materially modifying the regu-
lations imposed upon the Catholic clergy: the
selection of the Pope last year the mediator
| in the Spanish German dispute over the Caro-
| lines; and in the last few weeks by the decora