THE POPE IN POLITICS

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 10, 1887

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 13, No. 10.

THE POPE IN POLITICS.

THE most remarkable illustration of the activity of the Pope in politics is that developed by the discussion of the Septenate Bill in Germany. Here is a contest between absolutism and popular government, between monarch and citizen, between war and peace. Prince Bismarck demands that the Reichstag, that is, the people, shall put it out of their power for seven years to reduce the military establishment. We suppose it is enough to make military appropriations from year to year, and so to hold the Government in check. Bismarck demands that the Reichstag shall this year make the appropriations for seven years to come, and thus make the Emperor supreme over the country for that time, so far as the most important and dangerous of his functions are concerned. And this is directed not merely against the liberties of the people, is not only putting the burden on the people of Germany—for the most part Protestant Germany—but it is directed to the end of making war easy with Catholic France. The Reichstag, boldly, and in defense of their rights and liberties, and in defense of peace, refused to grant the demand. It consented—which was more than enough—to pass the bill for three years, but not for seven.

Bismarck used every influence to compel the members of the Reichstag to submit. Among other devices, he appealed to the Pope. He promised the Pope that he would grant certain ecclesiastical relief which the Catholics wished, if the Pope would express his desire that the Catholics in the Reichstag should support the Septenate. To this bargain the Pope agreed, and he sent a letter accordingly to Dr. Windhorst, leader of the Catholics in the Reichstag, requesting that he and his followers would cease to oppose the will of Bismarck. Dr. Windhorst affected to regard this as a private letter, and neglected even to make it known to his followers. Then the Pope wrote to one of the German bishops, and he published it. Dr. Windhorst still says, like O’Connell and McGlynn, “All the religion you please from Rome, but no politics,” and he continues to fight the imperious chancellor with all his might; but the Pope is against him, Rome has spoken, and the probability is that Bismarck will conquer, with the help of Rome, in the new elections. So we see the Protestant Government of Germany bargaining for, summoning and receiving the help of Catholic Rome, not only against the liberties of Germany, and the oppressions of an enormous war establishment, but—and here is the grim humor of the situation—against Catholic France. No more let us hear that Rome never meddles with politics.—Independent.