John Gilmary Shea
Published: 2013-09
Total Pages: 54
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1877 edition. Excerpt: ... out the whole world by the splendor of miracles, multiplied by the blood of martyrs, exalted by the virtues of confessors and virgins, strengthened by the most wise testimonies of the fathers, hath flourished and doth flourish in all the regions of the earth, and shines refulgent in the perfect unity of the faith, of sacraments, and of holy discipline." CHAPTER IV. The Civil Affairs Of Eome.--Italy In A FerMent.--The Fundamental Statute.--The Italian War Against Austria.--Defeat Of Charles Albert.--Change Of MinisTry.--Violence Of The Kevolutionists Against The Pope.--The Church In EusSia.--Spain.--France. The position of Pius IX. as a sovereign at last became critical. The vast combination against authority and against Catholic truth was then in full operation throughout Europe. The Catholic Swiss formed the Sonderbund, to save, if possible, their ancient religious liberty; elsewhere the revolutionary party sought the overthrow of existing governments. In Italy, and especially at Rome, these men, after pledging their words at the time of the amnesty, were plotting to destroy alike the temporal power of the Holy See, and the Church. Mazzini and his accomplices had, while praising the liberal concessions of Pius IX. to the popular feeling, stimulated the masses to new and exorbitant demands. Almost simultaneously an insurrection at Palermo spread over the kingdom of the two Sicilies, and extorted from the king a constitution; Austria and Prussia were convulsed by similar movements. In France the Revolution rose against its own work, and weary of the constitutional monarchy established in 1830, now rejected the house of Orleans, as it then rejected the elder branch of Bourbon, and proclaimed a republic. On the 10th of February Pope Pius...