Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-07-04
THE DAYS Of Kings Are over. /"

That was remarkable declaration which
Bishop KEAsE made few days ago to re-
porter for the New York World, stating 1t
10 be the Pope's opinion that " the days OK
Kings are over" His Holiness is undoubt-
edly Of that opinion if Bishop kEAsE said
he was; and we have no reason for doubt
ing the substantial accuracy of the state
ment made by the Worlds reporter. Yes,
the days Of Kings are over II we read
Alright the signs Of tho times. The king
ship in England is mere name. We zee
proof Of that fact every dav. A republic
is the established government in France,
which has weathered the storms that once
threatened to wreck her hopes OF "a gov
eminent OF the people. by the people, Tor
the people," And recent events IN
Germany show that the people OF
that country are really free and
may be considered as living I'M
DER constitutional monarchy. Her
people are now standing upon higher
plane than ever before, and have so de-
meaned themselves under the trying cir
cumstances which have recently surround
ed them as TO command the respect OF the
civilized world. England. France, and
Germany-there are no three other coun-
tFles 10 be mentioned which have as much
right as they TO claim to be able to con-
duet their governments upon sound prln-
ciples. Austris-Hungary and Russia tor
well-known reasons must wait while
with patience for an opening through
which they can enter into 1.-The parlia-
ment Of nations, tho federation OF the
world" We donot forget Spain and Italy,
for which countries we have the brightest
of homes. The world certainly moves in
the direction in which the Pope says II ls
moving. But it is most remarkable
fact that he should be willing to be re-
ported TO all mankind as entertaining the
opinion first above quoted. He has made
il apparent that his foresight 10 far-reach-
ing and that the political sagacity OK him.
self aud his advisers is thing that cannot
be questioned. Statesmanship is not out OF
place in the Vatican.
Bishop KEAEE is reported TO have made
a statement concerning the public schools
in this country which, unexplained, might
subject the Pope 10 unmented censure.
We quote the Pope's remark as Bishop
KEANE stated it. It is in the words follow
ing, 60 VIII
"Wheu schools cannot be built according 10
the mind Of tho council, then instead OF re-
rnainiog In enforced idienoss pastors must exert
themselves for tho religious training OF the
children In the public schools
We should not be surprised If some
sensitive persons were 10 find this Ian
Ruage very Objectionable, not TO say
offensive. seeing that there IS nothing else
in tins country of which the people are so
Jealous as Of the way in which their pub
lie schools are conducted. If the Pope
had used these unqualified sentences in
the sense TO which we have referred be
would not be the wise man he has the
credit of being. What he ought to have
been reported as saving is that when pa
rochial schools cannot be built according
TO the mind of the council then instead of
remaining IN enforced idleness Catholic
pastors must exert themselves for the re-
hgious training Of the Catholic children
in the public schools. Just as all the Pro-
tcstant clergvmen in this country have to
exert themselves for the religious training
winch our laws do not permit to be done
in the public schools themselves.