ROME'S INTEREST IN THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION.
By G.
THE appointment of Monsignor Sbarretti, of Washington, D. C., as bishop of Havana, is said to have been on account of his knowledge of the United States Constitution. This Constitution is just now an object of special interest to Rome; not that she loves its principles, for Rome is essentially monarchical in principle. Where it is expedient for her to appear favorable to republican government, there is the outward show of appreciation of republican principles. But any republic in which Roman principles are dominant, can be a republic only in name. The benefit to the Roman cause of having a representative in Cuba well versed in the United States Constitution is not in having the principles of that Constitution inculcated in Cuba, but just the reverse. That was demonstrated at the commencement of the late war, when the papal blessing was given to Spanish troops and the cause of monarchy in Cuba. Her real interest in having a bishop in Havana acquainted with the U. S. Constitution is that of a client who employs an attorney well versed in the law, because his success demands a shrewd evasion of the law. Rome has always opposed the public-school system of the United States; but, being unable to overthrow it, she is not averse to controlling the schools wherever possible, and does so to a much greater extent in many places than most people would suppose. So when she can manipulate a republic in the advancement of Roman interests, she finds it very convenient to appear favorable to the nominal principles of a republic. But just as a republic departs from republican principles, in the same proportion Roman principles gain the ascendancy. And vice versa: as the persistent, untiring spirit of Rome insidiously invades and pervades the councils of State in a republic—albeit the medium may be professedly Protestant—in just that ratio republican principles give way to monarchical principles. This is just what makes it possible for the "beast" with "two horns like a lamb" to eventually speak as a "dragon;" that is, to become entirely changed in character. That is how the people of the once lamb-like republican nation of the New World are finally induced to make an "image" to the "beast," or Church-and-State monarchical régime which the "dragon" had anciently set up in the Old World. See Revelation 13. "Can ye not discern the signs of the times?"
G.