No. 291.
Mr. Marsh
to Mr. Evarts
.
Rome , February 8, 1878. (Received February 25.)
Sir: Pope Pius IX died last evening at half past six o’clock, at the age of 85 years, 8 months, and 25 days, and in the thirty-second year of his Pontificate, to which office he was elected June 16, 1846.
Thus far the death of the Pope has produced no popular or other public excitement, partly, no doubt, because the event had been long expected, but much more because of the very general impression that, whatever the feelings of individuals toward the Papacy may be, the institution has lost its regal position, and the Roman See, and the life or death of its incumbent, have, strictly speaking, no longer any direct political significance. The moral influence of the Papacy, however, is as formidable as ever, and it can and does thus powerfully affect political action; but its power is exerted not by the chair of St. Peter, but by organizations which surround and control it to such an extent as to render the personal will or character of the Pope a matter of little importance.
Attempts will be made to bring about a reconciliation between the tiara and the crown of Italy; but King Umbert will, I trust, be found as firm in his adhesion to the principle of the supremacy of the civil government as his father showed himself, and there is nothing to encourage the expectation that the successor of Pius IX will be permitted to propose or accept any modus vivendi incompatible with the civil liberties of the Italian people, or with the rights of private conscience and opinion.
I have, &c.,