New-York tribune., 1903-08-06

drastic sense and the council OF cardinals is
powerless to resist his will. The new Pope may
or may not be a peacemaker between church
and state: but he and his successors after him
alone can decide whether rights which have
been most strenuously claimed can be renounced
for the sake of obtaining an increased subven-
tion from italian taxpayers. when the Catholic
world does not withhold generous tribute for the
enrichment Of the Papacy.
There is without doubt clearer atmosphere
in Rome for conciliation than there has been for
half a century. Blacks and Whites among the
old nobility have been found in company during
the public ceremonies at the great basilica this
week: and even among Liberal politicians, who
boast that they are Italians first and Catholics
afterward, there is an optimistic feehng that
the trend Of events is in the direction OF peace
between church and state. The highest ecclesi-
astics can also quote many tolerant expressions
of the last Pope respecting the desirabiity OF
finding means of living on terms of less hostility
and resentment to the King and his ministers.
These citations are necessarily qualified by ex-
plantations that the hostility of the Vatican
merely implies reafirmation of rights which
have never been renounced, and that there can
be no possible agreement unless the Pontin is
restored to a position where he can ENJOY fulf
liberty and independence. The atmosphere OF
better feeling and increased tolerance on each
side is mildly stimulative of hopefulness that
in the course of time a generation or possibly
century there will be a reconciliation between
church and state, and that the Roman question
will disappear from Vatican politics. But mean
while there is no faith in any quarter that there
will be any marked change in the near future
The next Pope will be a dignifed ecclesiastic.
either an astute diplomatist by training, or a
capable administrator. or practical reformer.
or a safe conservative for a short transition
reign; and. while he will not fail to impress the
Catholic world that he is the natural head Of
the Church, he Will continue to command SYM
pathy as the prisoner of the Vatican and the
victim of national spolation."
Meanwhile Whites and Blacks are contented
with the situation. The Natonalists can point
with pride to the remarkable progress of Italy
under the monarchy; to the development of in
dustries at home and commerce abroad; to the
reform of the currency, the Improvement in ma
tional finance and the increased influence OF
the kingdom as a naval and maritime power;
and to the advancement of education and to
the amelioration of the conditions of poverty
throughout the peninsula. The Clericalists IN
their turn can emphasize the vast accession Of
material resources of their Church throughout
the world, and the expansion of Papal authority
and supremacy as vital force in Christendom.
Everything counts for the glory of Italy,
whether it be the Nationalists' pean on recent
progress and the reinvigoration of a united
kingdom. or the Clericalists' tribute to the
unique position in Chrstendom of the most
statesmanlike of modern POpes, buried last
night by the Sacred College in accordance with
traditions and lamented throughout the world
as a prudent yet flexible ruler Of the Church
one of the greatest Italians in history.
INF.