PrinceBismarck has published the Circular of 1872 in which he
invited the various Governments to take counsel together to secure a proper observance of all the forms by the Conclave at the time of the next election of a Pope. We do not quite under- stand the true drift of that circular. Can it really mean that, so far from enforcing a proper observance of all the forma, the Govern- ments referred to should league themselves together to force the hands of the Conclave ? We can hardly believe that in saying one thing Prince Bismarck meant just the opposite. But if he did mean what be said, then what will the Protestant States gain by taking care that there is no irregularity in the proceedings of the Con- clave? Only, as it seems to us, that the Pope, when elected, will have all the more authority. If there were irregularity, if there were indecent haste, if there were room for a Catholic scandal and Catholic criticism on the proceedings, the Protestant States would not lose, but gain, by the result. It can hardly be for a State which declares the Vatican Council an outrage and profits by that view of the matter, to see that the proceedings at the next Conclave should be above suspicion or reproach. It looks very much as if what the Prince did mean was to take care that the Conclave should be subjected to severe pressure,—not that it should be free from all pressure. But even so, there will be scandal. Perhaps the best thing Protestant States can do is to keep aloof altogether from matters which don't concern them and in which they may easily do mischief, but cannot easily do good.
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