Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1894-04-12
A New Era in France.

oldIe question with vengeance. Ihe
recent action of the Chamber of Depu-
ties in relation to it was truly epoch
making. Nothing comparable with it
in Importance has occurred, so far as
that subject is concerned, for many
years. For parallel we must go back
to the time when Gambetta exclaimed,
''Clericalism, that is the enemy or at
least to NJ. Ferry's ruthless campaign
against the religious orders. Coming,
as it did, unexpectedly, it had all the
dramatic force of a great surprise. Yet
it was not impulsive nor spasmodic
The Ministers seriously but unhesita-
tingly declared their policy; the Chamber
by handsome majority sustained them
in it; and the people of France add
thereto their approval. We have, there
fore. the inspiring picture of strong
and stable Government that knows its
own mind, and has the courage of it.
convictions, and commands the conf
del ce of the Nation.
Not long ago the Mayor of st. Denis
issued an order forbidding the use OF
religious emblems in funeral professions
Thus mother could not carry crucifil
after the bier of her son, nor place g
cross of immortelles upon his coffin; mol
could the priest clad in his robes accom-
pany the body from the church to the
grave. This the Radicals applauded as
secularism, or anti clericalism. To most
reasonable men it savored strongly OF
bigotry. intolerance and persecution.
When it was reported to NJ. Spuller, the
Minister of Public Worship, he annulled
the Mayors order, and was supported by
his colleagues in so doing. Then the
matter was brought up in the Chamber
of Deputies. Being asked what he had
done concerning the Mayors order
NJ. Spuller frankly replied that he had
annulled it. Forthwith NJ. Brisson. NJ
Goblet and other Radicals attacked him
violently, charging him with having
sacrificed the State to the Church, and
with having made compact with the
Pope. NJ. Spuller's answer was COM
plete declaration of principles, going faI
beyong the simple requirements of reply
The times had changed, he said and a
new spirit of federation and liberty had
arisen. France had Outgrown the angry
passions of a dozen years ago. 1t would
be absurd to keep up those old quarrels.
The Church had accepted the Republic,
and the Republic could afford to tolerate
the Church. 81 have" he said, mo re-
luctance in acknowledging that regard
the present Pope as a man worthy the
deepest respect, although 1 am not a
member of any sect, religious or irrelig-
ious. The Republic must no longer lay
itself open to the charge of frivolously
and vexatiously interfering with freedom
of conscience. The new spirit that must
guide us is that of humanity, charity and
toleration." At this the Radicals ragged
and almost foamed at the mouth with
fury. But when, on a motion made by
NJ. Brisson, vote was taken, the Gov
ernment was sustained by 302 to 119.
Not the least remarkable feature of
this historic incident was the personality
of the chief figure in it. M. Spuller was
the closest friend of Gambetta, and the
man upon whom, more than upon any
other, the mantle of that great prophet
and tribune of the Republic fell. He
shared Gambetta's anti-Clerical princi-
Piles to the full when to be Republican
it was necessary to be anti Clerical. For
the last thirty-fve years he has ranked
among the leaders of free thought. Yet
to-day he stands as the champion of the
Church against the tyranny of the "laic
State" Starting as this is, it is not
illogical nor inconsistent. 1t merely
shows that M. Spuller, M. Casimer Perier
and their colleagues are sincerely de-
voted to freedom of thought and con-
science, and are as ready to accord it to
others as to claim it for themselves. NJ.
Brisson, NJ. Goblet and the rest of the
hand, have put themselves on record as
in favor of freedom for themselves anu
All VINO agree with them, but for no one
else. In the name of secularism they
advocate bigoted tyranny as bad as
any bigoted sectarianism ever invented.
There will be further warfare on this
ground, but the result of the first en-
gagement is happy omen of what the
end will be. The Governments march
is not reactiouary. 1t is more truly one
of progress than were the repressive
measures of ten or twelve years ago. 1t
is movement toward the only satisfac-
tory and lasting settlement of the Church
and State question: free Church in a
free State" To such policy the French
by and with the consent
of theFrench people, is definitely com
mitted.