New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-07-22
WILL THE POPE LEAVE RONEi

A new phase Of petticoat influence in state
affairs is presented in the interesting letter
from Rome to be found On another page. Inc
third wife of the Italian Premier is resentful
woman who has carried her personal gnev-
ances, caused by social alfronts, into the poll
tics of the day. The Roman danes who re-
fused to receive her at their houses or to ac-
cept her hospitality were devout daughters OF
the Church Retaliation the part Of the
Premier's household has naturally taken the
form of hostility to clencalism and the Pope.
The policy of Cancellation which had been car
ried long way was abruptly abandoned. The
dismissal of the Duke Ct Torlonia, whose wife
had incurred the displeasure of Madame Crisp,
from office as Syndic Of Rome in consequence
of his civiliies to the Vatican on the occasion
of the Pope's Jubilee was the first signal for
war. The POntiff, in defiant speech, accepted
the challenge. The Premier at once eXerted
his influence to prevent the circulation OF petit
tons to the King in favor Of a reconciliation
between Church and State Public officials
who had taken part in the movement with the
tacit approval of the Government were warned
that their conduct would subject them to dsci-
pline, and a new code Of civil and criminal law
was hastily converted into drastic species OF
Kulturkampf The Premier's wife thus Sc
cures political revenge for the indignities from
which she has suffered by reversing the Gov
ernments concilatory policy and placing under
the ban of criminal law any movement in favor
Of the restoration of the Popes temporal power.
As the final result Of this singular campaign,
having it's inspiration in the pique Of resent
full woman the Pope's position in Rome is
more insecure than il has been for many years.
Our Rome correspondent even intimates that
it is not impossible that Ministerial threats of
bringing about the Sedan of Clericalism'' may
lead to the Pontiff's abandonment Of the cap
ital. If this result had not been prematurely
predicted so many times since 81 0 there might
be valid grounds for forecasting that mo-
mentous event. since the provisions Of the new
code are of a drastic nature, as the citations
made by our correspondent show. 1t will be
prudent to assume that the departure of Leo
XIII will be deferred in the present crisis as
that of his predecessor was in similar clrcum-
stances Indeed, it is safe to assert that the
Vatican is not disconnected by the new turn OF
affairs II profits in many ways by the hos
tility Of the Government. The Pope, in the
attitude Of a prisoner at Rome seriously con-
templating the necessity Of abandoning the an
cient stronghold and governing centre of the
Church, appeals powerfully to the sy mpathies of
Catholics in every part Of the world The
acceptance Of narrowly restricted form OF
sovereignty over few acres in the vicinity OF
st. Peters would count for less in material and
moral advantage, than the present burden OF
presumptive persecution and intolerance
Something more potent than an angry wom-
ans spite will be required in order to effect the
retirement Of the Pope from Rome. 1t served
the purposes of Plus TX and his Cardinals to
contemplate this contingency, and to warn de-
vout Catholics that transfer Of the seat Of
the Papacy might become necessary. Threats
Of this kind were invariably followed by dem
onstrations Of loyalty and attachment from
Catholics in every country Many times the
collection Of Peters pence has been stimulated
in this way. Leo XIII in like manner may
find consolation in the fact that the hostility
Of the Radical Ministry is not an unmixed evil.
The sympathies of the Catholic world will be
touched; financial support will be added ten
fold. lie may make preparations for resi-
dence in exile but neither he nor his successor