New-York tribune., 1901-01-22
CHURCH AND STATE N FRANCE.
DEPUTIES ON THE LAW OF Asso-
CATIONS

Paris, Jan 21-The Chamber Of Deputies to-
day resumed the debate on the Law OF Associa-
tions. There a brilliant assembly, for
Count Albert de Nun, Conserva tive, represent
ing of the Morlaix districts and NJ Wal
ck-Rousseau, the Premier two Of the finest
orators Of the Chamber. were to speak. Count
de Nun reproached VI. Waldeck- Rousseau with
denouncing the milllard OF francs belonging
to the religious congregations as an economic
peril in order to revive the ancient dread OF
monastic wealth and serfdom. which had long
since disappeared Moreover. he said this sum
was grossly exaggerated. In order 10 create
greater impression. He warned the Govern
ment that their policy was irnprudent and i'll
advised. NJ. waldeck- Rousseau. the Count
added may not intend 20 carry out his designs
10 the end OF his anti-clerical passion. Possibly
he only intended TO appease his Collectivist
friends. but the latter might eventually set him
aside and carry out the work themselves.
Count de Nun concluded with declaring the
object Of the Government was to take teaching
out of the hands of the congregations You
have begun religious war he said. turning
to the Government benches, land this will weigh
heavily on you AS to us. we shall continue to
combat you and hope to find in this Chamber a
sufficient number Of friends and lovers OF liberty
TO aid u.s."
The Right and Centre applauded Count de
Nun warmly on the conclusion of his remarks
NJ. Waldeck-ROusseau replied that the bill
would be a test point to whether civil power
or religious authority to have supremacy
The Government, he added, asked the Chamber
TO continue the confidence accorded It during
the last eighteen months by voting this part OF
its programme II they the Ministers) had not
thought the House would do so. they would no
longer assume responsibility for the task they
had accepted. The Premier denied that the
In prNr tIrn1
that the Government simply desired by the bill
to assure peace and the regular development of
the institutions of the country.
If it be true. the opponents of the bill
assert" said NJ. Waldeck-Rousseau that the
congregations are indispensable to the develop
ment of the Church, why did not the Concordat
re-establish them? On the contrary II does not
speak of them, but only of the secular clergy.
Not a single congregation exists 10 aid the
priests OF poor parishes, whereas a number of
the latter are under the tyranny of the irregular
priesthood
The congregations have not only drained
the money of the country but they have drained
its conscience, and the parish priests now only
receive the confessions of common people The
Catholic clergy have nothing TO fear from this
bill. The only persons it viii hurt are the ir-
regular clergy.
NJ. Waldeck- Rousseau showed that congrega-
tons in all times and countries had been obliged
to submit to rigorous authority, He urged that
it was necessary for the civil power TO take
back from the congregations the privilege of
teaching the children because the congrega-
tons had ever been seeking from the commence
ment of the century to bring about a counter
revolution.
Never have they been more dangerous than
they are now he exclaimed They are try
ing to gain control of universal suffrage and
to that end they creating electoral
congregation; but tired of this slavery
and demand emancipation. We have to choose
between the congregations and fidelity to the
Revolution. We hear much talk bout an open
Republic I ask nothing better. but it must be
open for the people to enter and to leave" pro
longed applause9
The Chamber by a vote of 29s to 226, directed
that the Premers speech be posted throughout
the country.