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    j-j.54 THE LEAPEB, [No. 449, October 30,...

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    GBEMANY. (From our own Correspondent.' )...

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    of China , bavins often occasion to baptise children , wbo 3 e fathers are pagans , asks if he may and if he ought to baptise them without the consent or even against the wishes of their parents , especially when the infants are ill , to the danger of themselves . Reply . 7—It must be replied to this difficulty by making a distinction with St . Thomas ( part iii . quest . 38 ) , for either these children have the use of reason or they have it not . If they have , and ask to be baptised , Macoul may baptise them , even against the wishes of their fathers . The reason for which , given by the saint doctor , is that children who have the use of reason are masters of their will , and independent of that of their fathers iu respect to things which are of divine right or natural . " Pueri inficlelium filii aut habent us urn rationis , ant non habent . Si autetn habent , quantum ad ea quse snnt juris divini an naturalis , incipiunt suaj potestatis esse , et ideo

    propria voluntate , invitis parentibus possunt baptismum snscipere et ideo tales moneri possunt et induci ad suscipiendum baptismum . " But if the children have not yet the use of reason , they are b j' natural right under the safeguard of their fathers . It is wherefore , as priests ought not to baffle those who have the use of reason against their will , they may not , without violating natural justice , baptise those who have not the use of reason without the consent of their parents . St . Thomas says : — - " Si vero non habent usum liberi arbitrii , secundum jus naturale sunt sub cura parentum , quandiu ipsi sibi providere non possunt . Et ideo , contra justitiam naturalem esset , si tales pueri , invitis parentibus baptisarentiir , sicut etiam si aliquis habens usum rationis baptisaretur invitus . "—( St . Thomas , ubi supra , 2 , 27 * quest . 10 , act 12 . ) In conclusion , the paint doctor added another reason wherefore children

    1 ; i this c ise ought not to be baptised ; it is that these infanis , hiving a natural inclination for their parents , would 1 elapse easily to infidelity , and that is wherefore the Church does not approve this baptism before they liave reached the age of reason , and desire it . " Esset etiam psriculosum taliter filios infidelium baptisare , quia facile ad infidelitatem redirent propter naturalem affectionera ad parehtes , et ideo non habet . Ecclesise consuetude quod filii ihfideliuin invitis parentibus-baptisentur . " It is also for this reason that the Congregation of Cardinals , interpreter of the Council of Trent in so far as regarded discipline and manners , being consulted by missionaries to China , made a decree , approved by Innocent X ., by which it was prohibited to baptise infants without the consent of their fathers and mothers ; and

    on the occasion of the baptism at Avignon of a Jew girl , unknown to the father , the Congregation of Cardinals ordered its preachers to declare that whosoever should dare hereafter to repeat the same thing , besides the inoTtal sin he would commit , would be punished by his superiors in the manner they might think fit . This is what is reported by Louis Bancel , Moralis Sanctl T 7 iom r Jnjidelitas , vol . i . What has been stated must be understood to apply to cases even where children are ill , in danger of death , but not to those who arc evidently dying or despaired of . In this case a missionary , or any other Christian , may administer bapti 3 in , and is even obliged to do so by the law of charity , provided he can do so without using violence anil without scandal . '" ( De Sairite-Bcuve , vol . iii . chap , xxiii . )

    In ordor to a clear comprehension of the case , and of how sweeping a condemnation the abovo quotation is of the forcible conversion and rape of young IVIortara , it should be stated that the baptism is snid to have been surreptitiously performed when the child was twelve months old and by a servant wench sixteen yemrs old , who kept the secret for five long years . The first question that will naturally arise is , Did the baptism really take place ? for the wench is proved to have lied in fixing the illness ,

    which led to the baptism , at a date shown to be false by the testimony , under oath , of the doctor of the family . With auch rotten evidence before them tho Ultramontanes are obliged to have recourse to fable . They pretend that the Pope has the infallible power of discerning whether bap I ism has been administered or not , a nd that ho has beheld , somehow and somewhere in the Jow boy , tho unmistakable signs of conversion . Your roadors will recal to mind , with a rising smile , the powoi' 3 of divination described in Hudibras .

    It is not worth while to spend timo in refuting tho quirks , tlio quibbles , and subterfuges employed by tho Ultramontanes to get over tho difficulty of proving , bosides tho fact of baptism , tho competency of tho aarving-• wonch to jndgo of tho state of hoalth of the child , and of tho oxpodienqy of administering the Initiatory rito of Christianity . I keep , therefore , to tho great and main fuat , the scission introduced into tho Itoinun Catholic Church by tiho rapo of young Mortara . To day tho Universal Christian Allianoe have published thair address to tho Popo , which ia signed by tlio president , Monnin-Japy , and by tho secretary , Goorgos Sohluttor . WJiothor rognrded in a roligioua or political point of view , tho address Is of tho highest importance , and 1 thoro-• fforo stibjoin a . translation as lltoral as practiuablo : — " Paris , 20 tU Oct ., 18 C 8 . '

    *» Holy Father , —A domestic misfortune , lll ' tod up almost to tno hoighfc of n universal calamity , prooooupioo at this mpmonfc tho attention of tho peoples . Horo is what Is learned with stupofnotlons— -The Infant Mortara , born at Bologna ( States of tho OhurclO ci' Isr . ioiito

    parents , secretly baptised in private in the cradle , it is said by a Catholic servant , and to-day aged about seven years , has been carried off from his family by the civil and ecclesiastical authorities of Bologna , for tho reason , say , the apologists of this act , that , having become a Christian by-baptism , the ; child has a right to be protected in its faith against the influence of his Israelite parents . It is in respect to this event , Holy Father , that the members of the Universal Christian Alliance appeal respectfully to make you hear their lamentations and their cares . Belonging to divers churches , the members of the Universal Christian Alliance are united among themselves by tlie solemn profession of these three evangelical principles—Love of God , creator and

    father of all men ; Love of men , immortal creatures and children of God ; Love of Jesus Christ , son of God and Saviour of men . It is in the name of these principles of faitli and Christian activity , and after the example of the Saviour , who taught the Israelite to recognise his neighbour in a Samaritan , that the members of the Universal Christian Alliance stretch abroad in common their fraternal action to avery unfortunate one whom they may serve , whatsoever may be his belief and his nationality . The step they take at this hour , Holy Father , is in the first rank of the duties

    imposed upon them by the principles of their Alliance . It is in invoking the respect for paternal authority which they behold outraged in that which is most sacred ; it is in reclaiming the rights of conscience , which can never be with impunity disregarded , and which are proclaimed aloud in the constitutions of the most enlightened peoples ; . it is in relying , above all , on the most positive teachiugs and doctrines of Christianity that the members of the Christian Alliance seek from you , Holy Father , the restoration of the child Mortara into the hands of his parents .

    If the excess of zeal committed towards this infant , first by a servant , next by public functionaries and religious authorities dependent on the Holy See , could obtain your soTereign sanction , Holy Father ; if the demands of his parents , supported by so loud an explosion of public opinion ,, should be raised in vain up to the throne of the Sovereign Pontiff ; if the assertions of those who sustain this carrying off as legitimate , and even obligatory , should receive a definitive confirmation , we cannot think Without a lively alarm upon all'the dangers which will result therefrom to the Christian faith , not to speak of the grief that will be felt by Crowds of the --faithful ; and front the doubts and suspicions which in consequence may arise in their in inds , will not the adversaries

    of the Christian religion be seen to rejoice that the supreme chief of Catholicity should give his consecration to an act directly contrary to public morality and to the law of all civilised nations ? Moreover , if it sufficed , from a baptism accomplished clandestinely and unknown to his family on a little child , or even from the tardy and suspected declaration of a servant who may protend to have conferred such a baptism to authorise the carrying off this child from his parents , what must not be henceforth the fears and anguish of a multitude of families in all the countries where the religious authority which professes a parallel doctrine shall be powerful enough to carry it into practice ? We , Frenchmen , shall then see ourselves reached by tho same blow in France ; not only

    the Mussulmans become our fellow-countryman in the most important of our colonies ; not only tho Protestants whose fathers formerly underwent the same odious treatment , and the same moral tortures , and to whom it must not be given to foresee tho return of those days of anguish and of mourning ; not only tho Greek . Christians and all the schismatica from tho point of view of tho Catholic Church , but even tjio Catholics themselves , so soon as , for motives more or less founded ,, the purity of their faitli may bo suspectud , and tho Christian education of tlieir children regarded as in danger under their patorual direction . A eliort timo since , wo pleaded bofore tho King of Swedon tho cause of tolerance and of equity in favour . of a few ¦ women converted to

    Catholicism , and for this reason legally stamped in Swedon with sovoro condemnation . To-duy it is to tho supremo and venerated chiof of the Catholic worship that wo address an humble request inspired by tho same Christian sentiment . Quito recently a child of Christian parents was abstracted from his family by a disciple of tho Koran ; the news was roceived ovory whoro with a lively indignation , and with happiness was itlcuunod soon after that justice had boon rendered . Wo , romornboring tho maxim , Do not to others as vou would not thoy should do unto you , and , abovo all thiugs , tho ninxim of our Divino Master , 4 uoiunt hominon

    Omnift ergo quwcunquo vultla ut i ' vobjs , ot vos facito illi . i ; houo out unlm lox ot prophotro . Wo como to tho foot of tlio throne of tho Sovereign 1 on I Ml , to support with instance ) tho demand * of tho Israollto family of Bologna . Koiulor back , Holy Father , pouco and happiness to tho nnronts of young Mortani , and socurit-. y to all thoso whom tlio carrying oft' oi this child has filled with disquietude and suspicion . Minifltor of God on earth' show to all inon that your arm stretches forth to protoot and blos « . Wo lay . at your foot , Holy Fathortho homage of our venoration . " ,

    , It now roinalna to bo soon whnt answer tho Popo will Kivo to this address , which Is moru strongly wonluil than it might bu supposed tho Government would havo allowed to b « publlnhod . Meanwhile , the excitement and irritation of tho public uro lntonso , ami bocomo more

    so every day . Men ask one another , Why does not Government interfere ? The Papal system is upheld by those " holy French bayonets , " and the Pope is the mere creature of the Emperor . A repetition of the letter to Ney , and the withdrawal of French troops , would tumble the whole system down like a house of cards . Every morning the AloiiUeur is eagerly scanned ( o see if the Government has screwed its courage to the stickingplace to speak in the name of humanity and family ties and every morning brings a fresh disappointment . Men do not hesitate to say that this prolonged silence and inaction are a scandal and a shame to France , a sti"rna of national humiliation and degradation . An eminent member of the Imperial family does not conceal his disgust and indignation at this fresh inroad of priestly and is nd

    tyranny ; an opinion gaining grou that the Emperor is only biding his time ami waiting for the ripe fruit to fall into his lap . The sincerity of his devotion to the Holy See is questioned , and people are in expectation of a decree one of these -mornings appearing , which will set forth the high crimes and misdemeanours of the Papal Government in mystic language , and declare the annexation of the territory , the maintenance of the Pope in Paris , find the bestowal of the title of Koi de Koine on the Imperial baby . The ways of Napoleon are devious until he has trodden in his uncle's footsteps ; and as for the Papal Government they have well-nigh filled up the measure of tlieir misdeeds : wliich lead them blindfold to destruction . Quos Deus vidt perdare priiis dementat . The rape of Mortara may be counted next to Luther ' s burning of the Papal bull .

    As an instance of the great amount of personal liberty enjoyed here , which partisans- of ' 'Government assert is greater than in any other country , ' the account of -what passed at Amiens only a day or two ago may not be uninstructive . The editor of a local paper criticised an actor , who went , like the French Dragoon at Newcastle , and grossly insulted the writer . In the evening , the public , sympathising- with the editor , greeted the appearanceof the actor on the stage with what the Bishop of Oxford called nasty hisses . Whereupon , the Central Commissary walked on to-the stage and read the following decree by the Prefect , of the Somnie , which looks as if ifc had been-prepared ' beforehand : — " Considering that the last performances at the Amiens Theatre have been

    distinguished by regrettable disorders ; eon .-idering that , while leaving to the public the greatest freedom of appreciation , the authority should watch that the progress of the spectacle be not interfered with ;^ -we decree : Art . 1 . —It is prohibited to receive actors on their entrance upon the stage with manifestations which , by their character and continuance , may trouble the performance . Art . 2 . —Signs of approbation or of disapprobation will be tolerated , but only after the public shall have been able to appreciate the play of the actor . When these signs of approbation or of disapprobation , by being continued , prevent the peaceful continuation formallinterdicted

    of the spectacle , Uiey should be y . ' The dissatisfied portion of the audience were invited to send in their complaints , ami a discussion took place among the malcontents in the foyer . At half-past nine , . a company of the-9 th Line were sent for and drawn up outside on the pavement . The opera was recommenced at a quarter to ten , but tho hisses being renewed , tlio Police Commissary bounced forward again and invited peaceable people to withdraw before he proceeded to clear the theatre , whether by rolling volleys or a bayonet charge is not mentioned . The threat aim proximity of troops outside obtained a hearing lor tue opora tunt pis quo vial .

    J-J.54 The Leapeb, [No. 449, October 30,...

    j-j . 54 THE LEAPEB , [ No . 449 , October 30 , 1858 ,

    Gbemany. (From Our Own Correspondent.' )...

    GBEMANY . ( From our own Correspondent . ' ) October 27 . O-N tho 20 th inst . tlio Prussian Landtag met in tho Whito Hall of the Uoya \ J ' ulaco , and tho Prince Jit-gout , taking a position on tlio right of tho thronu , read tho following speech : — f " Illustrious , uoblo , and gcntlo Sirs of both Houses 01 tho Diet—With duejp and painful emotion , but at Ihu samo timo with firm confidence , I stand in your midst , ihu honvy nflliction wlilch this year post has befallen our gracious King and innstor still cleaves U > him b > ' y \ ° Inscrutable will of ( .. oil , notwithstanding tho heiu'Uoic supplications of his 1 ' ultUful people . In o » u . "' < l » t' » uo 01 this , and as tho physicians consider a rusUlcnco i » bronu for a timo absolutely nuedlul , my lloyn \ brother lias boon ploasod to suiumou mo to undertake tho Koygncy of thu kingdom till , bv tho mercy of Mod , ho » huH w again ablo to uxoroiau tho functions of UoyaUy Ihimmjii . That ho may soon bo sullioiontly recovered to do &¦< » t

    . * -. •¦ . . a .. 1 ... ! . 1 > ii nil I il'll I ' l ' l' . Au as God Is my witness , my constant wish and prayer . " is a grout relief to wy mind that his Maj ^ ty , in 1 wisdom and forethought for tho welfare of thu ' »'" > "" summoned me to iiiulurtuko tho Ueyency . J » obuaitf »«¦ to Una onu . ioiutloii of the Jloyul will I , viowmrf mo actual uiruinnstuncos and tho proscriptions ol lllu '"" . of tho land , havo uiulurtultou tho heavy bunion aim ic spoualblllty of thu Jtotfouoy with thu onriHMt iU » hu , thonnoro , to do that which tlio constitution uinl ihu Juwj roiiulro of mo . I uxjiaul , gunllumuii , that you on juu » port will do tho BBino . The documents roliil lift " »•« Itogoiioy will bo laid before you , by a special muwaffo ,

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), Oct. 30, 1858, page 10, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_30101858/page/10/