The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-10-11
SEATTLE. FRIDAY, OCT. IL.
THE popE,s TEMPORAL POWER.

Whatever immunity the pope. as head
OF the Catholic church. may now enjoy
from interference on the part of the gov
srnment of Italy. 1T is not at all likely
that his independence will be extensive
ly enlarged by the writing of letters such
as that which he recently sent TO cardi-
nal Rampolla, papal secretary of state.
This communication is in the nature Of
rebuke to those who celebrated the TWEEN
ty-ffth anniversary OF Italian unity. and
nll through IL there Is a manifest suEges-
ton of disloyalty 10 the present Italian
government. Such letters are certain TO
bring about dissensions among the Italian
people. and will inevitably create disre-
spect for the government. Under such
circumstances. Il would not cause sur
prise II his holiness was informed that he
must dealst from doing that which tends
20 cause public unrest and that IN the
event OF his not doing II. some sort Of
summary action will be taken.
Leo Nil. is a poor reader of the signs
Of the times II he imaRincs for moment
that the temporal power of the papacy
en- Italy will ever be restored 10 What II
once was. Unity and Independence were
too dearly bought 10 allow of tho thought
Of a return 20 the conditions which exist
Ell prior TO lss0 For centuries the people
Of Italy had been divided into petty
states. oppressed by home tyrants and
despolled hy foreign invaders. The masses
were kept in ignorance and poverty. and
through Il all the church of Rome looked
on without once lifting It's finger 60 bring
the relief that was SO much needed.
What nss gained by the herculesn ef-
forts OF Mazzini. Cavour. Garihaldi and
Victor Emmanuel viii not at yhis late
day he thrown away In order 20 crafty
the wishes OF an earnest bat impractical
rontiff. SO long as the pope rad tenn
poral power. ruled in the states OF tie
church and had representative in the
councils of nations. he Was constantly a
disturbing element. and italy was in a
never-cessing uprosr through the med
ding 81 the holy sce In affairs which
ought to have hecn left alone. After TWEEN
ty-nvc years Of comparative peace and
quiet il Is not unnatural that the Italians
should look with dtsfavor upon the Idea
Of restoring 20 tie p0pary any ~ the
temporal Jurisdiction which Il once en-
;oyed with 80 little political advantage 20
the people under e.
As matter 81 fact this feslr~ fer terri
roral Sovereignty IS largely the outsrowth
~ sentiment That such sovereignty Is
necessary TO independent acton Is mere
theory History shows Few Instances
where there has been any real oapAg ia-
dependence, During the last 100 years
Huch an expression as applied % papaI
influence is m,Nnoncr The .ulepena-
epre of the pope .sn3er tno trst Napoleon
amounted 60 little ana the Austrisn ~
ruence ia Italy up to i>a made 30 an idls
and empty claim After that date his
holiness Was largely under t0> sway q
Napoleon the n'tle, and whaf Is an IN
dependence which depends for It's exist
eaee upon tie support Of a cheap up-
start aud which vantshrs into thin ar
the moment that support = withdrawn
Possibly TIE temporal rover 90 che
church would have been retained I0nser
had thar power been wisely us~s. Tea
often q was mtsnsed. See holy Wears
frequently givips up thelr religious t,'-
ties 90 turn airlomstlsts AMI boundary
changers or suffering themselves 20 Ne
used as cats PAWS ~ aeslEaing irtnces,
Who AyPocyftica1'y travelled i'm tAo IS
Elise az pillars - Jhs church
The Italian government has taken care
not 20 present the appearance % restvtrt-
ing the rights ~ the Pcpe a. ruler 81 the
Roman Catholic church. aad his liberty
as an ecclesiastical monarla - ample.
Certain 81 Is that European politics ant
diplomacy are purer. better aat less
tainted With cunning. Deceit ana dur5icf;y
than they we're when she nm@ Italian
hands q the Keenan, cardinals ~sre baey