The Temporal Power of the Pope.
Sixteen years ago, the Sardinian Premier, Massimo D’Azeglio, gave popularity to the cry of “Rome for capital;” and Cavour and his successors have followed that policy cautiously and patiently, till now the Frenchman goes home to an inglorious reception, and the Government of the Cardinals awaits reconstruction. The person most in the way is Pio Nino, whose stereotyped reply to all movements for regeneration is, non possumus. Two years ago, Pius IX. was thought to be near his reward, and Louis Napoleon sent to the Vatican a couple of medicine-men to look at him, who pronounced his physical possibilities to be one twelve-month. Had not the Pope defied the doctors and overstepped his term, another pontiff might have proved more tractable. But there he sits, solemn and obstinate. Never before has the papal dynasty faced such an ordeal. There have been exiled Popes, and captive Popes, and anti-Popes; Popes besieged in their own palaces, and Popes besieging free Italian cities; Popes murdering the faithful, and Popes murdered by the faithful; but never yet has the Papacy been brought to stand before the tribunal of the free public opinion of its own subjects. Baron Ricasoli, in his recent official circular, admirably puts the issue upon the inconsistency of the temporal Papacy with the modern political system which now prevails in Italy. The temporal power must be held by the sufferance of the Italian people, or the Pope must rule, like the Stuarts, by divine right, or he must give up the sovereignty. He cannot obtain the vote of the people, for they are not fond of his tyranny. He cannot hold the throne by divine right, for that claim has fallen into disrepute. The Pope must therefore, climb down from his throne. Eminent sight-seers from all parts of the world have for some time been flocking to Rome. They are anxious to see the show. The curious Englishman went every night to see Van Amburg play with the lion, for he knew the tamer’s head must be bitten off at last, and he would not miss seeing the thing done. We believe the adventurers will be disappointed. The French troops will, after much talk and waiting for the opinion of Europe, take leave of their ward; and Victor Emanuel has pledged himself not to interfere, and not allow any one else to do so. But what the Romans may do for themselves we know not. The Italian King will put a garrison over the city to preserve the peace; and if a too excitable monk quarrel with a tipsy soldier, no man can tell what havoc may prevail on the Seven Hills, and what degree of excitement may spread through the Catholic world. If the Pope were capable of viewing things from the stand-point of an ordinary human being—if he were not wrapped up in an atmosphere of infallibility, through which everything is discolored and distorted to his vision—he would perceive that his temporal power is by no means essential to his spiritual supremacy in the most numerous church in Christendom; and he would accept his fate without an unnecessary and fruitless struggle. The people of Italy are entirely willing that the Pope should be infallible, if he will desist from worrying them with his kingcraft.
—Chicago Tribune. Dec. 22.