New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-20
are now not only an offence TO the senses but
also a menace to the public health.
PEACE IN FRANCE.

The result of yesterdays work in France, IN
Guiding a Cabinet meeting at which NJ. Briands
policy was unanimously approved and de-
bate and vote in the Chamber of Deputies IN
which the ministry was overwhelmingly victo-
rious must be regarded with sincere sahsfac-
ton by those to whom the welfare of the
French Republic is a matter of benevolent CON
Germ Disagreement in the Cabinet or an ad-
verse vote in the Chamber would have meant
a ministerial crisis and that at this time would
probably not he profitable. Defeat of NJ
Brands proposal would have meant not only
continuation but also much exacerbation or the
war between State and Church. and that wonId
have been deplora BILE. AS it is, we may prop
ably regard that war ended In an honorable
and equitable manner. The tactical victory
rests with the civil government as it should,
in the establishment Of IFS authority over re-
ligious corporations in secular affairs: but the
Church seclIres-or will secure, if it accepts NJ.
Rriand's offer as we assume It villa status
in which it will be able to continue its leglu-
mate work without interruption OF hindrance.
The brief debate of yesterday peculiarly
enliphtening as TO the attitude of representative
French statesmen toward the Roman Cathohc
Church Some of the Socialists were, of course,
outspoken in their hostility 10 that body-a hos
tillty which they manifest on principle toward
all forms of religion To them separation of
State and Church meant the destruction of the
Church and freedom meant tyranny over all
who differed from them. Even some who called
themselves Radical Republicans insisted that
there must be no Cancellation between the Re
puhlic and the Vatican Not so NJ. BRAND. To
bis mind it was necessary to respect the con-
sciences and liberties OF Catholics just as much
as of atheists and in keeping the churches
open it was necessary to keep them open for
Catholic priests and bishops and congregations.
IIa stood for all for Catholic s
we'll as for non Catholic. 1t needs only TO he
added. to indicate the temper Of the French
ministry and legislature that the intemperance
Of the Socialists and Radicals was approved by
only So votes while the wise and temperate
policy of NJ. BRAND and his colleagues was
supported by $50. 4 vote for religious liberty
of nearly four and half to one Is eminenty
satisfactory and should be conclusive.
What Radicals like NJ. Meunier and Socialists
Ike NJ. AIard seem to forget, but what NJ.
BRAND remembers is that the Roman Catholic
faith is the religion of the vast majority Of the
people Of France If there are to be In that
country the "Liberte" and "Egalite" which
form two of the three watchwords Of the Re
public Roman Catholics must be as free to meet
and worship in their churches as Free Masons
are to assemble in their lodges. and in so doing
they must have equal civil rights under the
law It has appeared TO us from the beginning
Of the controversy that upon such ground an
eduit-ble nlodus Uirendt between State aud
Church should be established. The proceedings
and achievements of yesterday strongly indi-
cate that such will be the case. NJ BRAND de-
clared that while he was fighting for separa-
ton Of State and Church he also reso-
Iutely contending against religious persecution.
and that the government proposed TO fight the
issue out on that line to the end. The end can
surely not be far off It should no longer be
conflict between the Republic and the Church,
but between the friends of ordered freedom and
the apostles of intolerance under the guIse of
liberty: and after yesterdays vote that conflict
should be too onesided to last long.