stitutions that were in perfect harmony with their
ideas, and admirably adapted to the exigencies of the times? There was no
need, as yet, that the Catholic nations should come to the aid of their
Chief. It was necessary only to appeal, in defence of his sovereignty,
_from Rome drunk to Rome sober_,--from Rome intoxicated with unwonted
draughts of liberty to Rome in its normal state--to Rome, cool, and calm,
and intellectual, even as in the days of her ancient glory, when her sages
and grave senators sat by her gates sorrowing but dignified in their
defeat. With the like countenance ought modern Rome to have met the tide
of Socialist invasion, which every successive endeavor to establish the
Red or Communist Republic proves to be more destructive than the war of
mighty legions, which can only cast down material walls.

A Socialist Republic was impossible at Rome, the city of the Popes. It
never could have held its ground against the sound principle which
universally prevailed throughout the Pontifical States. Nor would it ever
have been able to obtain the countenance, or even the recognition, of the
European governments. Not France and Austria only; every other Catholic
nation as well would have exerted all their influence against it. Nor in
doing so would they have acted unwisely or unjustly. Had not Rome been the
residence of their Chief Pastor, that great historic city would have
ceased long ago to exist, or would be known only as an insignificant
village, scarcely perceptible on the map of Europe. How often has not the
celebrated city been rescued from destruction by the direct agency of the
Popes? How long have they not governed it with wisdom and blessed it with
prosperity? If there be any such thing as prescriptive right, undoubtedly
it is theirs. If there be any right better founded and stronger than that
of conquest, such right belongs unquestionably to the saviors of Rome.
They have saved it for the Christian world, for mankind, for the Church.
It is no man's property. It cannot be let, like a paltry farm, to those
who shall bid the highest, in vain compromises and delusive hopes of
liberty. Should the Roman people, of their own free will, pretend to give
themselves away,--to sell themselves to a faction whose subversive
principles they abhor, their forefathers of all preceding ages would
protest against their base degeneracy; the children of the generations to
come would curse their memory; all reflecting men o