The Imperial German Bill authorizing the punishment of clergy- men
who abuse their office by preaching against the State, passed its second reading by 179 votes to 108, and the third reading also by a considerable majority. Herr Lutz, the Bavarian Minister of Public Worship, declared in the course of the debate, on the authority of the Bishop of Passau, that the Clerical party, having vainly endeavoured to gain its ends by acting in concert with Absolutism, "would now ally itself with the masses." There is nothing new in this. The Roman Church, though in its genius naturally Conservative, has always maintained that the interests of the Church are far above any political ends, and that the question of a democratic or aristo- cratic policy is completely subordinate to that of a Roman or anti- Roman policy. That Rome would go so far as to league herself with the International, as has been asserted, we are not disposed to believe till evidence has been produced, which as yet it has not been,—for Rome dreads socialism, though she is quite willing to guide a democracy.
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