Year: 1870

uiui reiatlOnS OF IrlenuSnlp cStapilsucu pctwoou
Pope Plus the Ninth, the head of the Catholic
Church, and King William, the head of the
Protestant States of the Continent. Consider
ing the dogma of Papal infallibiity, the aban-
donment of the Holy Father by Napoleon to
the tender mercies of Victor Emanuel, the abro-
CATION of the Austrian concordat by that
government and the revolutionary hereses and
heretical republican tendencies of Spain; con-
sidering, in a word, the stubborn fact that the
Pope is abandoned by the Catholic States to the
chances of this war, we may truly say that the
peace correspondence, just published, between
the Pope and King William, is not only very
remarkable but, politically or religiously con-
sidered, very imports tant and suggestive.


The Pope writes to King William that ''it
may appear an unusual thing to receive let
| ter from me, but that ''as the vicar on earth
! of God and peace ! cannot do less than offer
my mediation" Then, after stating his desire
for the cessation of the evil consequences of war;
he says :-''My mediation is that Of sove-
reign whose small dominion excites no jeal-
ousy, and who inspires confidence by the
moral and religious influence he personifies.
May God lend an ear to my wishes, and
listen also to those form for your Majesty, to
whom 1 would be united in the bonds of
charity This is from the Pope as the head
of his Church to King William. And what
says the Protestant King of Prussia in reply?
The ''eldest son Of the Church" has never
spoken so kindly to his Holiness as speaks
this Protestant King. He says :-'T am not
surprised, but profoundly moved, at the touch
ing words traced by your hand. They cause
the voice of God and of peace to be heard
How could my heart refuse to listen to 80 pow
erful an appeal? God witnesses that neither
l nor my people desired to provoke war"
Then, after telling the Pope that ''we take up
the sword to defend the independence and
honor of our country" and that 1--WE are ready
to lay 1t down the moment these treasures are
secure" this heroic and pious old King says
eff your Holiness could offer me from him who
so Unexpectedly declared war, assurances Of
sincerely pacific dispositions and guarantees
against similar attempt upon the peace and
tranquility of Europe, it certainly will not be
who will refuse to receive them from your
venerable hands, united as I am with you in
bonds of Christian charity and sincere friend
Ship"


spoken" which, ''are like apples of gold in
pictures of silver?" Do they not preseut us
the Protestant King of Prussia as the champion
of the Pope in his distress, and the Pope as
the fast friend of this Protestant King? viii
they not operate to knit still more closely than
they are bound now together in the German
| cause the Protestants and Catholics of Ger
many and to bring Catholics and Protestan.s
! the wide world over nearer to each other in
| the bonds of Christian charity? Returning to
| the main question, will not this correspon-
| dence turn the scale between Prussia and
France in favor of peace? We are strongly
drawn to the conclusion that peace, involving
the reconstruction of France on the platform
of republic, the union of the German States
as an empire on republican principles and the
security of the Pope as the head of his Church,
under the joint protection of the great Powers,
| is near at hand.


Why not peace? The French armies in
| the outset have never before been so rapidly
and terribly cut up as in this campaign. At
the same time France has actually undergone
a revolution. The empire and the reign Of
Napoleon are evidently at end. The Empe-
ror is practically superseded in Paris by
General Trochu and by the Corps Legislatif,
assuming the functions of an independent
body and acting as if the Emperor were
dead. England, Russia ard Austria are
doubtless ready to agree in behalf
of peace that the French people
choosing What more can they expect to
gain by the further prosecution of the war?
Napoleon, If the latest reports concerning hin
are in any degree true, is powerless to do
anything. If still nominally at the head of his
army in the field he is so chapfallen that he
can hardly undertake, 10 the name Of France,
to answer the Pope's letter. The Queen of
England has written to King William urging
upon him that it is highly desirable to accept
peace proposals from France. Would it not be
better for her Majesty to urge-as delicately as
possible, but still to urge-upon Napoleon his
abdication in favor of such government as the
French people may elect, as the first essential
step to peace ne egotiations?


In any event, the friendly correspondence
between the Pope and Kins William prevents
this war from becoming war between Catho-
lie Europe and Protestant Europe; and sc
much has been gained in favor of peace. Il
reduces the war to political struggle between
France and Germany, and in disclosing the
liberal inclinations of King William for peace
it leaves France without rational excuse fol
prolonging the war short Of an armistice anG