Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-12-14

before the French revolution all
churches, all ecclesiastical lands and
properties belonged to the church by as
Just ute as property IS owned IN our
own country by any religious denomina-
ton. AZ the revolution, all buildings,
landed properties. funds etc, were con-
fscated by the revolutlonists. The con-
stituent assembly later voted for the
support OF the clergy, an annual bud
get.
The present conflict dates back to
1880 when large number OF religious
houses were closed by order OF the
government and their occupants dis
persed. From that time scarcely year
mas passed without some annoyance to
the church-a series OF petty acts Of
discrimination to the clericals that were
bound IN the long run TO call for pro-
test. The protest came IN the form of
personal letter from Pope Leo XIII to
President Greyy In May 1888. The an
sWer was mere waste OF time and pa
per, so far as results we're concerned.
LAW OF ASSOCIATIONS.
Next, in 1901, the law Of associations
was passed. BY IL the schools OF relig-
ence. The members of the different re-
ligious congregations, not only male,
but female as well. were sent for a,
either to exc out an existence as best
they could In their own native France,
or go into exile.
Finally In December 1905, the con-
cordat was dissolved and separation OF
church and state proclaimed
1t Is essential to bear In mind that
the oonoordat was a genuine contract
and that this contract was annulled by
the French government, with no regard
to the wishes OF the other party
Perhaps the feature Of the situation
That VIII surprise us most and call for
our just indignation as Americans. is
the French governments absolute dis
regard for the property rights of the
church. She has been dispoiled OF the
salaries granted to the ministers of re-
llgion as compensation for the funds
which the church relinquIshed under
that express condition.
In addition, the law of separation
entirely ignores the constitution and
laws OF the church In America there
is due recognition Of the laws governing
every lawful society, while under the
recent French law provisions are made
for organizing Catholic worship without
any proper reference to the duly autho-
lied officers Of the church.
sCHlsMATICAL ORGANIZATION.
Next the point to which the holy IA
Their has objected most strenuously
The provision for associations OF wor-
ship opens the way for schismatical or
CARNATIONS, which have In fact I'm q
few cases been already attempted. II
places the church at the mercy OF the
judgment OF the council OF state. Should
the church accept the present law. she
has before her the very likely prospect
of gradual extinction by process OF law
IF the separation OF church and
state In France meant Just what II
means In the United States, there would
have been no such hue and cry raised
Very likely, to many It would have not
been very undesirable. But the stua-
tons are not at all analogous"
INTEREST FLAGS IN FRANCE.
Paris. Dec, 1.-THE first day OF tho
regime OF the separation OF church and
state having passed without grave dis.
orders. public interest IN the details
of the continuation Of the struggle ~
already tagging. IL Is now apparent
that the resistance Of the clergy Will
be purely passive, and that there IL no
prospect Of religious passions being
aroused unless the churches are closed
and the government therefore is rest
ing on its oars and will continue 10 DO
so until parliament authorizes the
drastic measures which The cabinet Is
preparing.
In the meantime IN this city EXCEPT
in the church whore legal applications
We're filed, the police again took notes
OF infractions of the law at the morn
ing masses.
Cardinal Richard Is awaiting expul-
sion from the Episcopal mansion. The
government however, desires 10 avoid
even the appearance OF force In tho
case Of the aged primatc who is IN bad
health. and Is postponing action IN Tho
hope that he win depart in n few days
OF his own volition.
The Action, n violent socialist organ.
today made an attack upon tho gov
eminent. calling attention 10 the al
legged fact that Catholic gymnastlc so.
cieties had numbers OF rlges. There
is not the slightest evidence however.
that armed resistance Is contemplated.
NEW LEGISLATION
Paris, Dec. N.-Tho cabinet met With