The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-04-22
TWO CAMPS IN ITALY.
Pope Leo Addresses an Enthusiastic
Audience at st. Peters,

ROME E,lApril 2l.-The Pope made a stirring
speech yesterday to 5000 Italian pilgrims In
the hall over the vestibule of ST. Peters.
Twelve cardinals and 20 archbishops and
bishops were present, besides many of the
Roman mobility. AS the Pope, arrayed in
flowing white robes, denounced his enemies,
the building Gang with cheers and shouts of
Long live the Pope-Klng." 1t was an ex-
citing scene. After the pilgrims had laid
their addresses at his feet, Leo XII. stood
up and began his indictment Of the Italian
government as follows:
Among the grave s0lIcitudes Of the apOs-
tolie ministry which we exercise, one OF the
bltterest and most poignant Is that which
concerns the condition Of the church In Ita-
ly and q e Italian people. III we have al
ways to slsnalize the dangers that menaces
US, this time we have motive more Just 10
do so, as for some time now these perils
have become more grave. Besides, facts
speak for themselves. The war that the sa-
tanlc hatred OF parties wages against the
Catholic religion IS openly sustained here by
the authorities, who have declared In favor
of these parties. The laws and the acts
which, directly and indirectly concern the
church and religion are, In Italy.
made under the direct inspiration Of those
parties, which all obey.
There is. in fact, tangible evidence that
the action OF the authorities In ecclesiastical
matters fully responds to their sectarian as
piratlons and to their eulpable designs,
which hencefoTth are no mysteries 10 any
one. 1t Is sufficient to record the articles Of
the new penal code against the clergy, the
standards OF June last, the discourse in Pa
lermO, the proposed law on church affairs,
and others which are In course OF prepara-
tion.
1T is a continuation Of the war which was
commenced by the destruction Of the soVer
eighty Of the pontiffs, and which all along
Its course manifests itself more and more In
the intentions Of the agitat0rs-that Is to
say, In war P0utrance, made without truce
against religion and against the church OF
Jesus Christ.
''In presence Of this state of things the
duty imposes itself on the Italian Catholics
OF showing what they are, with bold front
and uncovered vlsage, in order to preserve
the lnestimable treasure OF faith.
ly defined, the Catholic camp, resolved TO re-
main always united at any price 10 their
bishops and to ths Pope, and the camp OF
the osa.nV. sghn 6ghts against them. Those
who, through eowardice, fear to show them
selves, and who wish to remain between the
Two camps only swell the ranks Of the
Toe, as the Divine word tells US. We cannot
do less, beloved ones, than Congratulate our
selves ON the sincerity Of your open profes-
sion OF falth, and to appreciate your homage
and the protestatlon OF your perfect union
with us. BY this you not only fulfill a
sacred religious duty, but you also give
proofs that you are the most sincere friends
OF your country. We know there are those
who accuse you Of being enemies of your
country, but If one Judges between you and
your aecusers according to the facts, one
must look at the services that they pretend
TO have rendered to Italy, OF which they
claim to be the best friends"