The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-03-19
TIE DkMocRAr POPE.
Lee KILL Openisg New Era-Repabiieas.
10. the True Political Form or Modern LIE.


Lee xrIl openiss New Era-Repabiies.-
10. the True Foiit'ca, Form OF Modern LIE.
ROM. Feb. 27.-The encycllcal letter Of Pope
Leo XIII. to the French nation marks con-
siderable progress in the evolution OF Rome
toward democracy. This historic and philo-
sophical document has a general reach.
especially in the sense that It constitutes q
triumph for American ideas and institutions.
From the very beginning OF his Pontincate the
synthetic mind and far-seeing eye OF the Holy
Rather perceived the necessity OF new orien-
tation on the part OF the Papacy in It's dealings
with peoples and With States. The appoint
ment OF Monsignor Czacki to Pars was intend
cd to inaugurate the process OF adapting
the Roman Curia to the new conditions Of the
century. But this FIRST initiation was rather
tfmid. The Holy See whether doctrinaly or
automatically. confined itself from 1873 to
1881. to affirming tho coin patibility OF Catholic
tradition with the republican form. 1t was
profession OF indifrerentism in political
questions. The attempt did not succeed.
Notwithstanding the serenity OF tho Pom
ttfcal afflrmations and the consummate
tact OF the Nuncio. the old parties.
camped upon the cadaver Of monarchy. with
an insolent asperity disputed the future with
the PontiR OF Rome It was in the days OF
dent management Of affairs by the Duo de
Broglie. and the bitter struggle OF the deposed
dynsstic parties for preponderance and DOM
ination. The wise voice OF Rome was
drowned In war cries and shouts for VEN
geance. The republic. for a moment threat
ened. wished to take its revenge and strike the
Church. which monarchism had attemp pied to
make use OF In the electoral arena. Defeated.
but not conquered. the royalists linked their
designs more strongly than ever to religious
influences. Their final stand. their last plank
for safety. waa the consolidation Of the clergy
and Of the Catholic masses with the old worn
out and fallen regimes.
The Holy See was obliged to wait From
1882 to 1885 Rome pursued waiting policy
The Nuncio watched calmly the course Of
events. because Leo KILL had foreseen the
fatal consequences OF the double attitude OF
the struggling republic and OF the monarchi-
cal parties eager to scale the heights Of power.
The moral and intellectual schism OF the ma
ton. the insecurity OF its institutions. the low
ering OF the national influence abroad, confu-
sion within. the periodical overthrow OF min.
istries. the growing depression OF the people,
whose sickened souls sadly contem plated the
spectacle Of political decadence: the almost
universal aspiration In the social depths for
peace and repose: all these things and this
state Of the public mind. the logical result Of
the reputation OF the pacific programme Of
the Holy See. were bound at a given nom ent
to furnish the Pope with an opportunity for
Intervention. As Leo XIII. himself said.
Time is the great reiormer:" and may add
that 1t is also an incompatible soother
From 1885 he hoped ~ be able to knot again
the line that was broken in 1882. He sent his
near and dear friend Mgr Roteli to Paris as a
pledge Of conciliation and a prelude to moro
active cooperation. American questions and
the overflow OF ideas active in the United
States contributed powerfully to determine
the Pontiflcal designs. This was the time
when Cardinal Gibbons. Mgr. Keane. and Mgr.
Ireland were pleading in Rome the cause Of
the Knights Of Labor. Upon the shore Of the
Atlantic Ocean the image OF American democ-
racy appeared to unbalanced Europe. The ex-
ample OF American prosperity. the regular and
prolific development Of its republicanism. over
flowing with youth and vitality. the virility OF
its Catholicism emancipated from the old
forms. the founding OF the Washington Uni
versity. that browning intellectual work OF
q whole century OF labors and OF progress:
all this entire situation operated like MAIN
spring upon the Continent. Leo KILL. like
Cantu. De Vogue. Manning. and
all far-resching minds. felt that the future
Of civilization was there: that the United
States. the late corners. we're bringing to the
world rejuvenated type and o more healthy
ideal for imitation.
In 1885 Leo XIII. became convinced that in
order to succeed 1t was necessary to 20 to tho
bottom. He began the study Of the French
and Democratic question In all its aspects.
From Brussels he called Mgr. Ferrata, the
man who was one day to translate into
diplomatic fact his inner thought. He labored
with him. initiating him into all the shades
Of his ideas. all the metamorphoses Of his
sentiments. Books. reviews. journals. his
tory documents. memoirs. letters. secret re-
ports made by members Of different parties.
all were run through and consulted. The moro
the mind OF Leo XIII. studied this new world.
the more he became convinced Of the fructify-
ing conditions Of an evolution In the spplica-
ton Of the evangelical ideal.
But Leo XIII. advanced with the slowness OF
Fabius Cunctator. Precipitation might ruin
tho whole plan. When. finally. Boulangism
disclosed with wild and disordered eloquence
tho need Of paciAcation and tho discomfort
ment OF the people in face Of the dis
persion OF minds and the contests Of parties.
Leo KILL, in the month Of October follow
ing the downfall OF the General gave
tho floor to Cardinal Lavigerie. tho bril-
liant organizer OF Christian civilization In
Africa. The time was propitious. The young
generation. tired OF constant divisions and
corrupt parliarhentarisn. rushed into the
study Of social questions. On the heights. the
intellectual elite felt vaguely the need OF God
and firm faith for the resuscitation OF the
country. Tho clergy were disappointed. The
most brilliant hopes had faded out one by
one. like the colorless pages OF q book
tossed into the waste basket. There
was all around n breeze OF revival. an as
piration toward peace and stability. Leo
XIII. interviewed. l will not touch upon the
hating places Of this advance. will confne
myself to the study OF tho encycllcal. the
faithful and immovable expression Of the evo-
luton OF Leo XIII. Never before has Pope
spoken with such an accent 1t Is st. Paul
giving to the Old World new faith. the faith
Of democracy. Tho encyclical is not only an
implicit homage to the young spirit OF the
American ideal: 1t is not only the acceptance
OF tho republican form as the political SYM
boil Of Catholics: 1t is moro and better than
that: 1t ia tho oodifcation OF democratic
Ideas. the indication OF the now policy
to be followed Leo XIII. goes further
than 1879 He does not conhne himself to q
of indifference In regard to DO
litical matters: he places himself resolutely.
rs In the United States. Just as he admitted