New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-08-27
THE POPE AND TIE FRENCH ELECTIONS

Tho Iatest Paris papers at hand publish the full
text Of the document in which Pope Leo XIII dis
PLAYED his sentiments toward the French Republic
and which was not without influence upon the
recent electoral campaign in France Thls docu-
ment dated Rome. August 3. assumes the form OF
a private letter written by the Pontif In answer
IN a communication addressed to him on July 20
be Cardinal lccot. Archbishop of Bordeaux. me
Pontincal letter was. with the approval OF the
Vatican sent by the recipient 70 the clerical paper
lie Monde" for publication. Pope Leo NIL says
in IT, on the eve of the French elections. while re-
ferrtne n former communications Of his:
"A prolonged experience has clearly shown TO All
that the situation dn France has been so THOR
oughly modified that it does not appear possible 10
,evert TO the ancient form of government without
passing through grave perturbations we
could not tolerate. therefore, that some men, IN
cited by party spirit should use apparently re-
Icious motives as a shield in order to oppose more
surev tho nubc power established long time
ago From such an attempt at opposition no use
fl result in fact could be expected; but only con-
sequences extremely unfayorable to the church'
This is why appealed TO all French citiZenS'
men Of heart and equity. asking them to maintain
LOYALTY the constitution of the country, as 1t Is es-
tablished 1t is both unfortunate and absurd
that some men might have been found who, boast
ing OF having the Churchs interests more at heart
than ourselves should assume the right to speak
in its name against the instructions and teaching
OF the one who IL both the protector ana
the chief of the church. We believe, indeed,
that these men, whose conduct is so bold
and unworthy. cannot find among the true
children of the Church anybody sharing their
views and initiating their example. We consider as
the Churchs true children those who readily sacr-
flee to the superior welfare of religion and OF the
country their sentiments and private interests
The influence of such a Pontitcal letter upon the
Catholics in France cannot be over-estmated IL
was a direct appeal to them TO vote for the Re-
public and to distrust the monarchical candidates
who insisted that they alone were in accord with
the religious traditions OF the country. STILL some
ultramontane and royalist prelates attempted 10
weaken the force of the papal instructions by IN
sinuating that Pope Leo XIII. though favoring the
Republic might not be supporting its present gov
eminent; and that good Catholics were free to vote
against the candidates Of that Government let
them be Imperialists Monarchists. For instance,
the Bishop of Vannes said distinctly, in an episco-
pal letter that the political convictions OF tue can
dldaes were be considered; but that IL Wouli
he 'incxcusabc to vote Tor anybody VINO Wouiu not
have taken the engagement To protect me Religion
and To facilitate its free exercise. these "oIus
Of intransgent prclates amounted TO tellng tne
CatholIcs not to vote for those Republican caidl-
dates approving the DEGREES by which the Repuo-
liz. compels. for instance. religious students to un,
drrpo the military service like other citizens and
maintains the expulsion OF some religious cohsre-