The substance of M. Darn's memorandum, though sufficiently well put,
is not, of course, in any degree novel. It is what we may call " conceivable matter," pointing out the danger of giving the Church the right to claim the absolute obedience of States in a multitude of concerns on which independent States are always, and very rightly, jealous of their authority, and with regard to which an antagonism may grow up between civil society and the Church " equally dangerous to both." That is all very true, but we cannot see see how an infallible Church can theoretically listen to such representations. No doubt if she does not pay attention to them in practice, when she comes to shape her own conduct in relation to the great Catholic States, there will be much grief. But Cardinal Antouelli seems to have hinted very emphatically that whatever is defined with relation to Church authority as a matter of right, the Church has no notion at all of abandoning practically her ancient policy of prudence.
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