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penned these lines, and the remainder of the letter from which they are quoted.
In France, therefore, it cannot be denied that a mighty change has occurred since 1870 in the attitude of the Church, when we see the cherished liberties of centuries swept away.
In Germany the conflict created with Civil power, through the Vatican Decrees, is still more evident, and pregnant with instruction to our Hierarchy here, if they will receive the lesson. There Prince Bismarck has recognized the extent to which the claims of Rome are being enlarged, and has met them by the severest measures of repression. The celebrated Falck Laws, which probably go much further than was necessary for the assertion of the civil supremacy of the State, plainly indicate the grave dangers that follow extreme pretensions on either side.
In Great Britain the profound interest evinced in the controversy between Mr. Gladstone and his opponents, affords sufficient evidence that there also the Vatican Decrees are regarded with apprehension and jealousy.
It will, therefore, scarcely be questioned—that in Europe—since 1870, a most marked change has taken place in the relations of the Church of Rome towards Civil States. But perhaps no better corroborative evidence of the truth of this statement can be offered, than the fact, that ever since the adjournment of the Vatican Council, the most acute intellects of what may be termed the Vatican party, have been devoted to explain away the seemingly obvious meaning of the Dogmas on Obedience and Infallibility. When vigorously assailed by Dr. Schulte, we find the late Bishop Dr. Joseph Fessler devoting all the resources of his vast learning to prove that nothing unusual or calculated to shock human
