Year: 1868

tne pTeEent uIHBTeUC6 y mcHDl09 k0AL is very
much TO be regretted even in the interest OF the
church. Instead OF simply contestipg this or
that application of the principles which form
the bases of the present government OF Austria,
and which are the fruit of the happy accord be-
twet n the peoples OF the empire aud their sove-
reign, il is the principles themselves that are
coDdemned. The Holy See thus extends its
representation to objects which we can by no
means admit TO be within its authority. II en-
venoms question which already produced only
too much excitement, by directing mems minds
10 matters where political will be associated
with religious passions. Finally by condemning
laws which include the principle Of the liberty OF
the church and thus offering 1t pensatiou for
the privileges 1t loses, II reui more difficult
conciliatory attitude OF the Government. 1t
may not be use ess TO remark here that these
laws expressly guarantee to the Church the pro
perty or The wealth it possesses in Austria.
This stipulation proves that the laws in quee-
ton are not hostile to the Church since they
maintain 10 her those rights OF which she has
been deprived In so many countries. 1t is not
for me to Judge In what measure this last con-
siderati0n ought to mitigate the judgment Of
the court of Rome. What have not q shadow
OF doubt Is, that the people of Austria Will find
consolation in remembering that more than Que
very Catholic nation is subject TO legal ar
rangements of the same kind which yes live
In peace with the Church, and that there Is
especially one great and powerful empire in
Europe whose tendencies towards progress and
liberty have been always allied with very de-
cided attachment 10 the Catholic faith, and



nable, has, up 10 the latest moment, been
blessed with indulgeDt the eympathiesof the Holy
ZEE. NV despatch OF the l7th June last anti
cipated the bad consequences whicn allocutlon
would produce 1t 1t was not worded in very
moderate language. l regret extremely that
the Court of Rome did not pay more at
tenton to these anticipations. They have been
completely realized. [ do not think the Catho.
lie population of the empire have more zeal
now than they had before for the Interests of
their religion. On the contrary, we see an in
crease of ardor in the attacks directed against
the Church, the clergy, and the Pope. This
narrowest limits, AID would have been easily
appeased If the special question affected by the
laws OF May 25. had alone been treated of in the
Papal alocuton.


Before concluding, must here also express
the painful surprise which the appeal addressed
TO the Hungarian Bishops in the closing SEN
tences of the alocution has produced. 1t
seems to me that Rome ought TO be thankful
for the perfect tact and reserve with which
these delicate matters have been hitherto
treated in Hungary, 1t would be tnde-
siraele s,gdo in every point OF view 10 raise new
barrassments which already exist. But it is
especially in the very interest of the Court of
Rome that it appears to us inopportune to
arouse the national susceptibility of the Hun
garians. The appearance of foreign pressure
would produce in that nation results the oppo-
site to those which the Holy See desires, and
we should see storm raised against the leei-
tlHdtc luuueDCc VI tue SOuIJ vi hUu0 10
that which is raging on this side Of the
Leitha.


These are the observations suggested to us by
perusal OF the Pont6cal alocution. Lay
them before his eminence, the Cardinal Secre-
tory of State. We shall none the less persevere
In the way we have begun. Whilst we shall
continue to maintain intact the rights of the
state and respect for the laws, we shall allow
the Church to enjoy in peace the liberties which
our laws secure TO her; and we shall endeavor
to observe, in the mutual relations between
Church and State, a spirit OF conciliation and
equity which hope will be reciprocal


Your EXcellency will be pleased 10 make
yourself the faithful organ of these sentiments,
and in doing so you will only conform to the
views of the Emperor, our august master.


BEUsT.