Rome’s Growing Power in Germany
Herr Windthorst has scored another victory for the Catholics over Bismarck in the German Reichstag. A resolution was adopted which exempts all students of theology from military service. "The same resolution," says the Catholic Review, "which exempted from military service also extended to the colonies of the empire the operation of that clause in the Congo act, which guarantees universal religious toleration." Such exemption ought to be granted the peace-loving religions, but a church which has sung her "Te Deums" at the bloodiest conflicts and massacres the world ever saw, ought not to ask such favors. The item shows the growing power of Rome. "Windthorst obtained this victory by the absence of certain members of the government party, and by having his own numbers ready for the vote." In the uncertain majorities of an effeminate Protestantism, the superior organization of Rome will ever make her the gainer if not the winner.