The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-04-07
HOPE OF TEMPORAL rowEg.

~. 4ASA 49, SA<Rh ~ IL .# EE
People WHO are in a position to know
a good deal have told me that
the hope OF ever regaining temporal
power has virtually been abandoned
at the Vatican; not openly, 81
course, but nevertheless abandoned.
The very recent manifestation OF some
thing like entente cordiala on the
par: OF the pope towards the French
goyernmcnt-tEe first thing o. the
kind since the overthrow OF the empire
is regarded here as significant OF "a
com prehens!ve change-one that will
recognize the popular will not only III
France but in Italy. Certainly this is
a desideratum all around, for the pres.
ent situation here is strained and IN
natural, and does not advance, in Italy
at least, those important interests that
the pope has under his charge. II is
the best judgment here, as far as / can
understand il. that the pope would be
materially stronger among the Italian
masses il he would cut loose forever
from the fgment OF temporal power.
The argument to this end proceeds on
tho following line, and it is a very in.
teresting M 10 both Catholics and
Pedestrians:
Christianity arose and made its first
great Roadway in the Roman empire,
not only without, but in despite OF lem
poral power. 1t has also made its Head,
way all over the world OH the same line,
outside OF politics. Italy is DESTROYS to
be a united nation-one OF the powers
OF tho world-and it comba;s and re-
sents all attempts to thwart its will.
Hence the church loses ground in hold
ing or to tho idea OF temporal powcri in
the so-called papal states. Once elm
mate this friction and there is. no longer
q grievance, but good feeling in place, oil
ii. To this complexion things must
como at last in Italy, for France will
never again interfere. Germany and
Austria are in alliance with Italy against
anything OF the sort, even il this was
not also the mind Of Trance. England
also you'd be deeply hostile to it, and
Russia, rs the head OF the Greek church,
does not and never has sy~mpathized
with it. So that the temporal power
has no alliance anywhere, present or
prospective, that could reinstato it.
This is the argument here in brief, as
l have caught on 10 it, and it certainly.
looks very strong. 1t is believed to
have finally had great and determining
weight at the Vatican. Those who arc
not influenced byit are called oppor-
%tunists, that is, those who are expect
ing or hoping for q great European war,
or social disturbance, that will eyentu-
ate in an entire change OF mind among
the powers on this whole subject.
Strange as it may seem, the late Cnrdi-
nal Manning (tho distinguished Eng
lish prelate with whom Mr.. Frew and
myself conrersed last August in Lon
dom was an Opportunist, even q leader
in that so.called party OF reaction.
Speaking on this subject lie said:
"Do not think me fanatical or blind il
l affirm that tho temporal power is
not ended yet, but that the Roman.
question is only once more begun. I
have had to repeat oven to weariness
that some five and forty popes have.
before now either never; set foot in.
Rome or been driven out Of 1t. Nine
times they have been driven out.by
Roman factions; times without number
byinyaders. . Q . Twice Rome has
been nearly destroyed, and once SO
utterly desolate that for forty days, We
are told, nothing human breathed III it.,
and no, cry was heard but OF the foxes
on tho Aventine. Warfare, suffering,
wandering, weakness, with inperishable
vitality and invincible power, is the lot
and the history OF the pontilrs, and
Rome shares their dcstiny.p
But this is enough and p~erhaps,a
good deal moro than enough onfthis
particular question, however interest
ing, and also upon all other topics
Roman or Italian, 0 rthis letter. lean
only beg pardon Of your readers for,per-
mlttingi 1t togrow to such length. awe.
UNCERTAINTY may attend business
ventures and enterprises; but it never