The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-11-26
The Pope's Attitude in tho Late Italian
Elections.

1t was reported during the canvass which
preceded the recent general election in
Italy that the Vienna Government had
20 to the ballot box The motive actuating
Austria, and that which prompted the Pom
tiff's refusal. are for the first time set forth
with clearness in the letter OF our Roman
correspondent. published on Sunday.
The adhesion OF Italy to the Triple ALI
ance depends upon the maintenance Of the
Savoyard dynasty. for the substitution Of
arepublic for the monarchy in the Italian
peninsula would inevitably involve COM
munity Of interest and sympathy with re-
publican France. Events have shown that SO
powerful are the friends and disciples Of
NAzzlNI and GAR1BALD1 that the house OF Sa-
\ voy can DO rendered absolutely secure only
Through the support OF tho Catholic voters.
Who constitute nearly one-half Of the regis
Nrsd electors. but who have persistently
setained from the ballot box ever since the
obstruction OF the Italian monarchy. By
thansre act Of participating in q general
eleSon they would recognize tho existing
statApf things as lawful and their natural
amliatons would make them conservative
uphol9rs OF the altar and he throne. 1t was
oecausAthis was thoroughly understood by
PIus lAIthat he vigorously forbade Italian
Catholiss to vote or allow themselves to
be votedhr at elections for the Chamber
OF Deputds. The political significance Of
the injuncbn was equally patent at Ber-
lin and Vielte, and. as Ia pointed out by our
Roman correspondent. BISMARCK for some
years endeaNosed to get the order rescinded
by LEO XIII. tn Is said to have assured tho
Pope that In retSrn for concession in this
fundamental natter OF participation in
elections. Germ,hy and Austria would per-
suade tho reimbursement to propose O
Haodus pipendi acceptable to the Vatican. II
LEO XII. Tor tineseemed to regard Bis
MARoks overturcs 's made In good faith,
his confidence was rleparably shaken by
the blunt words and rsde behavior OF the
young kntser WILLrAIII during his men,
orablo visit to Rome.
Not long afterward octNrIed BISMARCK
downfall. and since then TIE role OF media
tor between tho Quirlnal and tho Vatican
has boon undertaken " tho Emperor
FRANCIS JOSEPH. At first sight the change
OF Intermediates seemed favorable to tho
prospect Of Cancellation. for tho house of
HAPsBURG has always been Catholic, and in
times past has figured as theaurdlest up
holder Of the Papacy. Hitherto however, all
attempts at compromise have braken down
over the primary question whether the
Quirinal or the Vatican should nuke tho
first concession. The Vienna Government
has contendod that a resembling OF the in
Junction issued by PIUs IX. and thcrcsult-
ant participation OF Italian Catholics in
general elections should be eondi-
tlon precedent to the establishment Of
. friendly understanding between tho
Italian monarchy aud tho head of tho
Church. The Pope on the other hand has
insisted. and with good reason. that the
order OF proceeding should be reversed for
ny permitting Catholic electors to go to the
ballot box he would take an irrcvocabe
step. and acknowledge once for all the le-
gitimacy OF the status quo. No such ac-
acknowledgement could BIO made by tho Pom
tilt In accordance with his duty to the
Church until the terms OF the proposed
compromise had been precisely defined and
deliberately accepted. Thus differing on
the Initial point whether the participation
OF Catholics In elections should precede or
follow the attainment OF modus rirendi.
the two opposing parties found ncgotia-
lions blocked. As our correspondent puts
II. they stopped. and stood gazing at each
other like china images.
Another subject OF interest dealt with in
our letter from Rome was the marked di-
vergence OF sympathy exhibited by the
Catholic and conservative section OF the
italian people on the one hand and by the
progressive. radical. and republican cle-
ment on the other. The distinction drawn
by our correspondent 10 Enthusiastically con-
'hrmed by history. During the wars OF the
french revolution aud Of the first French