Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-02-17
TOCATROLlC FRANCE
Pope Leo's Declaration to
 the Republic.
IN WHICH HE BREACHES PEACE.
Church and State Have separat Missions
 and Should Net Clash.

France Shall Rise Again, But the Govern ment Should Keep From Vatm and Irri- tating Persecution of Her Citizens and Catholics Should Cease Fighting the Republic-The United States the Model that France Should Take.
 PARIS, Feb. 17.-The Pope has written the following declaration. It is published by the "Petit Journal.''
 My desire and the wish of the Church is that France should be happy.
 ''She is 8 nation whose pious mind and generous character, though they may not always keep her fast in the straight path which is best suit d to her interests, soon repair all faults and show her the clear truth.
 1T pray (and act in accordance with my prayer) that, despite all resistance, there may come an end to the dissen- sions and the sterile quarrels which weaken her.
 "All her citizens should meet upon the ground of legality. Each individual may cherish his own preferences. But when ill the domain of action nothing else ex- ists but the government which France has chosen.
 ''The Republic is as legitimate form of government as any other. ''I have just received a communication from the president of the committee o | the Chicago Worlds Fair asking the | Holy See to take part in that great American undertaking. And the United | States which constitute a republic, grow | greater every day despite the drawbacks incidental to their boundless liberty | There, too, the Catholic Church develops without clashing with the the State | The two Powers act in perfect harmony l as they should in all lands when neither infringes upon the rights of the other.
 Liberty is indeed the base and tht foundation of relations between the civi power and religious conscience.
 l. "The Church aspires before all to | liberty. May my voice, which speak with authority, be heard, and may my aims and attitude no longer be distorted by unfounded attacks
 ''What suits the United States is stil more suited to republican France. T' all Frenchmen who visit me l speak tn same language. I wish that language t. be known by all. l regret that certail persons in high places should not dare t. proclaim publicly, as they should, tn efforts that I make for the peace and tlf prosperity of your noble nation, which regard ever as the eldest daughter of tn Church.
 '"In this course I persist, and I encou, age all who enter on it steadfastly hel me in my task.
 "The Church should keep to it's tru mission. It should reform souls, incul cate the spirit of self-sacrifice and devc tion. The Church should take al interest in the condition of the weak My assertion of the rights of workingme should facilitate and hasten the restora tion of internal peace and diminish tn insignificant minority which strives disturb the public mind and proven union ill your country-a union indis pensible to the fulfilment of it's hg dcstinies.
 ''Thanks to her strong constitution France will rise to her old greatness spite of her foes.
 II learn with joy that, though sll boasts such abundant military resource and such valiant sons, France has nc . faltered in her prudence and patience
 If she will but free herself from tn dssentions that check her development and paralyze her influence; if she wi but abstain from vain harassing an prosecuting, she will soon regain tn conspicuous place and glorious rank i the world which of right belong to her.
 This language of the Pope will mak a great impression in France, where tn adhesion of His Holiness to the Republi will cause widespread satisfaction.
 Europe will now understand that tn Holy See is for Faance and against til Triple Alliance.
 It will no doubt be gratifying to tn United States to find that the Sovereig Pontiff takes them as a model. Libert of conscience is nowadays the highes title to glory a country can produce.
 JACQUES ST CERE