On September 20th, Signor Crispi, on the unveiling of a
monument in Rome to Garibaldi, made a speech which we cannot but think injudicious against the Papacy. He made no allowance for its traditions or its position ; but denounced the Pope for " lust of power and earthly covetousness." It would be "virtuous" in him, says the Italian Premier, not to think of worldly matters, for his spiritual autonomy, which is guaranteed by Italy, should be his strong. hold ; and he should remember that the religion of Christ subdued the world without the aid of temporal arms. The temporal power would only diminish the rank of the Pope, because he would cease to be pre- eminent over other rulers, and now he is pre-eminent. It was only when relieved of the temporal power that the Pope could cope with Bismarck. Is not all that a little childish The Pope is not asking territory in order to make converts by the sword, but in order to be, as he thinks, abso- lutely independent. The fact that he is guaranteed by Italy is proof that Italy could abrogate his independence if she pleased. As to pre-eminence, how is that diminished by power over Rome, any more than by sovereignty within the Vatican? As we have tried to show elsewhere, the temporal power as the Pope would define it, and the independence of Italy, are incompatible; but the Pope is not a man lusting for power because, as "Head of the Universal Church," he refuses to ccnsider the interests, or even the rights, of one particular State.
