While this stormy scene was going on in the church
there was an excited debate in the Chamber, caused by an interpella- tion addressed to the Government by M. Allard, a Socialist. M. Ronvier declared that the recent incidents proceeded less from the Catholic conscience than from the desire to provoke a political agitation. The law would be applied. The country was not on the edge of a religious war, and the Government refused to be the victims of a political agitation. After the sitting had been suspended for a few minutes owing to the fierceness of the passions aroused, the simple Order of the Day "counting on the Government to ensure the application of the law" was voted by 348 to 166,—a higher majority even than that by which the Separation Bill was finally passed. In all proba- bility the danger of any serious rioting is now over, though there will no doubt be angry scenes in many country churches.
