ADDRESS OF VISCOUNT DE DAMAS TO HIS HOLINESS PIUS IX.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 68, 15 August 1874, Page 9

ADDRESS OF VISCOUNT DE DAMAS TO HIS HOLINESS PIUS IX.

alost Poly Father: —The people want peace. In their thirst for repose they 017 out, Peace, peace, and war always answers their agonizing cries. War is everywhere, because disorders of the heart, or rather of the spirit, reigns everywhere. Nations no longer know the path which leads to peace. The most powerful of our kings knew how to point out this p lth of peaceful conquests to Ihe people in the most memorable pilgrimage. Interrupting the operations of a bloody eiege, he comes to Home, the City of the Popes, and fears nofc to humble the purple by ascending 011 his knees the steps which led to the Basilica of the Prince of the Apostles. He laid at the feet of the Holy Father the treasures of his realm, and Charles and Adriau embraced. With this solemn embrace of the powers of truth, of the French nation and the Papacy, the empire of peace was established in the world, and the mission of our country confirmed. From thab time France has " the most Christian king," and the humble pilgrim of Rome becomes the greatest and most illustrious Emperor, O'liarlemagne ! What are the Chiefs of the nations doing to-day ? Where are the Charl6masrnea of our desolate times ? Alas, decrees of exile, prisons filled with innocent victiines, convents desecrated, the "Vatican itself converted into a prison, answer us. Modern governments no longer know the path of peace. We know it, MLost Holy Father, we Catholics know it, and hence we come to Borne. It ia now a year since we were 1 liare to celebrate the feast of our venerated Father, who, although unwell, and notwithstanding his labors, condescended to receive us. We lay at his feet, before his infallible teaehiug, the homage of our spirit, the sacrifice of our souls before his holy wishes, ihe ardent desire of our souls for the safety so necessary in tbese days of confusion and disturbance. We have come to-day to congratulate our great and dearly beloved Pontiff on the youth which God condescends to renew in him, like the youth of au eagle. We come to ask him for new strength to undertake another campaign, and to give him a poor account of our labors. Armed by your Holiness with thnt invincible Christian symbol, the cross, sustained by his blessings and the favors of the Church, we undertook last year our peaceful pilgrimages. Millions of men followed us, pouring through France in every direction, reading in their rapid marches the chants of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and Mary Immaculate during their processions and in public highways. In one month alone, three thousand pilgrimages were organized, and a few of the»e counted no less than forty thousand pilgrims, all united by tne same faith, all animated with the same sentiments, and all ready to s )ill their blood for the triumph of the Church, the liberation of the Holy Father, Pius IX., and the salvation of France. An event so exit ao'rdinary, should surprise the world. , It was thought at first that we •a ould be deterred by sarcasm, but seeing us reappear, their anger was .-used, and nofc wishing to believe that wo were peaceful men, they accused us of disturbing order and wishing for war,