Year: 1870

ODe Or the most remarkable events IN the


wonderful transformation that Europe is un-


dergoiny through the Prussian-French war is


the cxtinguishment Of Papal sovereignty.


The superstructurc of the temporal power OF


The Pope, which has existed over thousand


years, and which has stood SO long the shock


ofrevoluiions and falling dynasties, has been


overturned finally by the events of the last


few weeks. True, its foundations were under.


mined by the great French revolution at tho


close Of the last century, and modern progress


since has shaken it fearfully; but it has been
propped up by the monarchies of Europe from


time to time, aud within the past few years 1t


has been supported by the bayonets Of the
soi-disant modern Charlemagne---Napoleon
the Third. With the fall of this aspiring
Emperor, this so-called eldest son of the
Church, the last prop Is taken away The
temporal sovereignty Of the Pope and its last
supporter have fallen together.


| Whatever may be the results OF the war in
other respects, whatever government may be
established in France or transformation take
place in other parts Of Europe, Papal secular
dominion is at an end. The French soldiers
have left Rome, never to return to uphold tho
Papacy. The republicans Of France, should
| they hold the government, certainly will not
interfere with the Italians in their rapid pro-
gress toward appropriating the Papal territory
and uniting all Italy. II by any chance the
Orleans dynasty should be restored that would
not make war on Italy to replace the Pope in
temporal power. No, not even the Bona
parties would attempt to undo the work Of
Italian unity and to restore the Pope should


they by any extraordinary turn OF the wheel


of fortune regain power again in France


Under no circumstances can or will France
assume again the defence or restoration Of the


fallen Papacy. Austria has cut loose from tho
| Pope. Spain is too republican to think Of
| interfering, and is powerless. Catholic Ger
many is too liberal, and would not raise o
finger for the Pope. OF course none of the
| Protestant Powers will interfere. In fact,
Plus the Ninth, as o temporal ruler, is without
friend--is more friendless, perhaps, than
even Napoleon.


Tho army Of the King of Italy is meeting
with little resistance In its march on Rome
The Pope has no force capable of resisting.
But the Papal troops even are fraternizing
with the advancing Italians. Behind all is a
greater power still-the republicans of Italy.
Victor Emanuel is not unwilling In the least to
seize the opportunity Of making Rome the
capital Of his kingdom and Of uniting all the
Italians under one government, but If he were |
he could not resist the popular impulse The |





him to move. His own safety lies in that, if !
anywhere. Italy is republican to the core, |
and it is only by gratifying the ambition of the |
Italians in taking Rome that he may be able to
save for time his own crown. He is liberal !
and progressive and the people are willing to |
accept him for the time as a leader in the ma
tional movement. 1t Is probable, however,
that Victor Emanuel is but the pioneer of The |
Italian republic for not only are the masses of !
Italy republican, but the cultivated and intel
ligent classes hope to restore the former liber
! ties and glory of their country. They remem-
ber the ancient greatness Of Italy and Rome
under republican government, and their enthu-
sasm is aroused to restore the past and to march
in the way Of modern progress. The occupa- |
ton of Rome and the destruction Of the tenn |
poral power of the Pope are the first step in the |
realization Of their ardent and patriotic aspira- |
tions. In few days they will see this accom- |
plshed. Long centuries of darkness and re-
the age and liberty. What change! What a
magical political transformation within few |
days. So wonderful are these events that we
can hardly keep pace with or realize them.


1t is said the Italian government assures the |
Pope that his independence will not be mo-
Tested in any way We can understand what
this means, and no doubt his Holiness under
stands it. His personal independence will !
not be interfered with and be may be left some |
authority over certain districts In Rome, en-
bracing the Vatican and St. Peter's-some-
thing like that which mayor has in city;
but neither the King Of Italy nor the italian
republicans will consent to his retention Of
sovereign territorial power over the city or
Papal States. That is all this soothing Ian
guage about the independence of the Pope
means. And why should his Holiness be
troubled? Why should he not be content ?
Has he not lately got infallibility? Is he not
the chief of all mortals, with immunity from
error or wrong-doing? Who can equal him
! Who is so blessed? 1t seems providential that
he should have received infallibility just be-
| fore this wonderful revolution and just when
| he most needed 1t. After all, neither Victor
Emanuel nor the Italian republicans can deprive
him of his spiritual supremacy. He should
| now put himself at the head of the people and
the democratic movements Of the age. He


could thus become more powerful than he ever


has been or than any Of his predecessors. The


LOGS of his temporal power would be more
th On compensated by the moral influence he


would exercise and the good he would do.