Mr. King to Mr.
Seward.
No. 84.]
Legation of the United States,
Rome, February 25, 1867.
Sir: On Friday last, the 22d instant, the Pope
held a secret consistory at the Vatican, at which he pronounced an
allocution, copies of which in Latin and in Italian I herewith transmit.
The Pope at the same time appointed a number of bishops, and, among
them, fourteen (14) for different Sees in the kingdom of Italy, vacant
for some time past. It is supposed that this is one of the results of
Signor Tonello’s recent mission. I hear it rumored that three new
cardinals will shortly be created, and that one of them is to be
assigned to the United States.
On Saturday last the carnival was opened with the customary ceremonies
and an unustial display of troops. But though the corso presented its
wonted gay appearance, the principal buildings being decorated with rich
hangings, and the balconies filled with strangers, there was a marked
absence of carriages and pedestrians from the street; the Roman people,
as a general rule, taking no part in the festivities. This is said to
have been in compliance with the advice or request of the Roman
committee, who desired, in this indirect way, to manifest the popular
disapprobation of the existing order of things. On the other hand, the
presence of an unusual number of troops may be thought to betray on the
part
[Page 703]
of the authorities an
apprehension that advantage might be taken of the crowds, ordinarily
attracted by the carnival, to excite some insurrectionary movement. Thus
far, however, all remains quiet.
I am, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant,
Hon William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
[Translation.]
Allocution pronounced by his Holiness Pope Pius
the IX, at the secret consistory had the 22d February,
1867.
The love of Christ impelling us to adopt some means through which we
might be able to provide for filling up the many vacant bishoprics
in Italy, in the month of March, 1865, we wrote with our own hand a
letter to the most Severne King Victor Emanuel, asking him to
delegate near to us some person with whom we might treat about so
weighty a matter. Our wish having been acceeded to negotiations were
instituted, which, however, certainly not by our fault, failed of
success, and frustrated our vehement desire for promoting the
salvation of souls which the Holy See has ever valued beyond all
things else.
The matter has, indeed, been lately resumed with the assent of those
who control the affairs of Italy; but I cannot speak on this theme
without great sadness and bitter grief, for the holy bishops, who we
are about to send to the vacant Sees, will not only find the ventai
of every Episcopal household destroyed, but all that supported it,
and by long customs served for their maintenance, and for sustaining
the poor, taken away; but, what is still worse, the pillars of the
sanctuary scattered, the asylums of religious perfection deserted,
the occupants of the cloisters deprived of their subsistence, the
holy virgins driven from their cells, in which, through the favor of
God, they had been received to live and die in the bosom of their
heavenly spouse. It is a grave and sad thing, in such a condition of
public affairs, to appoint bishops. But what then? Shall we shrink
from our purpose? Far be it from us. Let the laborers hasten to the
vineyard planted by the Lord and watered by the blood of his son.
Let them go to cultivate it in the name of Jesus Christ, relying on
God for his special favor. Let them go relying on the favor of the
mother of God, who will most efficiently aid them, because she,
while the seats of learning must be filled by pastors of wisdom and
intellect, will at such times reconduct to them many wanderers, as
consoler of the afflicted will alleviate, through such means, the
tribulations of many, and with Christian aid will conciliate the
religious sentiment and filial piety of multitudes, will relieve
them under their weightiest burdens, will aid them as associated in
the combat against the adversaries of God, and against the powers of
darkness who are endeavoring to conquer the whole evangelic camp by
reducing it to a miserable ruin. Therefore shall we leave among the
new pastors, some who belong to Italy, trusting that in future
consistories more may be accomplished, if, indeed, men living
according to the customs of the age can agree with us, in the first
place, about the election of persons. To say more, at present, of
the existing condition of things is not advisable; the future,
however, unless the right hand of the Most High is interposed
sufficiently plain, foretells a very sad series of events. To us,
however, it is confided by God, who, with the Immaculate Virgin and
the Holy Apostles, thus far so clearly protects us under the shadow
of their wings, so, at least, we hope that our grief may be changed
into gladness.
Let us hasten to bring about this most desirable result by our
prayers, by the agreement of our councils, and by the exercise of
every Christian virtue.
