THE SUB-ALPINE GOVERNMENT.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume I, Issue 2, 10 May 1873, Page 9

THE SUB-ALPINE GOVERNMENT.

Plunder and tyrany are rampant in Eome. Keligious of both sexes are ruthlessly thrust out of their homes and forcibly dispossessed of their property. No right is respected, no sex spared ; and whilst the wicked are treated mercifully, there is neither mercy, pity, nor common justice for the devoted servants of God, and the anointed of the Lord. The State, even if it were a legitimate Government, which the Sub-Alpine is not, has no light to invade the rights of private property and of individuals. But in this case might happens for the time to be in the hands of these men who hate religion and virtue, and are bent on the destruction of the Church. Well iray we exclaim, Qaousque, quousque ! fhow long, how long). Very mamy of these re ligious have spent long lives in the service of God and His poor, their fortunes in the canse of religion and charity, and have outlived their friends and relations in the world. Their convents were their honies and their property. But then comes an usurping 1 and devastating foreign government and robs them, depriving them of their homes and the possessions they and their brethren had acquired by their own private means, their industry, and the donations of their friends. As well might the Government seize the palaces and estates of the nobles or the merchants, or any of the civilians of the land. Rather with more reason, inasmuch as the property of the Church is held on titles mare sacred. But it will be said these properties are valued and paid for in Government stock. What hypocrisy I What a perversion ot the meaning of words ! Yes, indeed, the plunderers send their brother plunderers to set a value an what they all covet and are determined to have ; and then forcing a sale at this price pay the amount in comparatively worthless debentures. But the mockery and injustice do not stop here ; the religious are not allowed to dispose of this stock, so that, should the Government fail, which is exceedingly probable, they shall be left absolutely penniless. Why should such a distinction be made between lay and ecclesiastical holders of Government securities ? Succession is not recoguised ; and the only object, therefore, is to compel ecclesiastical persons by the dread

of starvation to become partizans of the present order of things. This object will not be obtained, and even though it should, it would of course be no excuse or palliation for the grievous injustice done to these unfortunate religions, and the almost unparalelled tyranny of the measure. How long will the confiscators rest content with Living unholy hands on the property of the Chuch 1 Greed and injustice when indulged become overmastering passions ; and the man who disregards the obligations of justice, when the property of the Church isconcerned, soon learns to look lightly on the claims of private property. This plundering of the Church renders the possession of all property insecure ; and this disregard of individual rights is laying the foundation of slavery. A little longer,and if a check be not put to such proceedings as these described above, all rights will be confounded in universal confusion, and the security and stability of society at an end. It is a perilous thing; to enthrone an erroneous principle ; and men deceive themselves wofully if they fancy the multitude will fail to make logical application of such a principle when it favours their own passions, interests, or prejudices. If there is to be no right, no law, no security, but the mere will, it may be whim, of these who happen to be the depositariesof power for the time being, their turn to experience reverses,, and see themselves the victims of injustice, or it may be in their cases, of a species of retributive justice, is not far distant. The only principles that can save society, and render men'slives and properties secure, are truth and justice. All should keep steadily in view the great motto — Fiat justitia.