THE GERMAN PERSECUTIONS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume I, Issue 52, 25 April 1874, Page 8

THE GERMAN PERSECUTIONS.

The London Correspondent of the " Freeman's Journal' states that : — lr "In opposition to the mass-meeting of English Protestants at St. James's Hall, to support, by all the moral power they can exercise, the Emperor of Germany in the attitude he has assumed towards his Catholic subjects, the Catholics of London purpose assembling in force at Willis's Rooms, with a view of exercising counter influences. This meeting ia, 1 believe, to be but the forerunner of an cv.en larger gathering oP Catholics on a later date ; but yet in itself it will be a demonstration of no slight importance and significance. The Duke of Norfolk, the Earl of Denbigh, and many other influential and exalted members of the Catholic community are to take part in the proceedings, which are being organised by the Committee of the League of St. Sebastian." With reference to the meeting of Prince Bismarck's sympathisers, we believe Earl Ruasell was to have presided, but in his absence, through illness, the chair was taken by the Sir John Muir .y In epoiking of this gathering, the ' Saturday Eeview'hasthefolowing: — '• Xhe accidental absence of Lord Russell deprived the late No Popery meeting of any mportance which it might otherwise have possessed"; and, although it is a cause for regret tbat Lord Russell should have, been unwell, his participation in an absurd proceeding could not have been contemplated with satisfaction. The policy and legislation ot Germany could in no case have been properly discussed at an English public meeting ; and it was especially indecorous to take part against a religious body which, rightly or wrongly, complains of persecution. In former times Exeter Hall occasionally protested with little eil'ect against the persecutions to which Protestants and other sects were supposed to be subjected in Spain or in Italy ; but in no previous instance ha» a foreign government been congratulated on the g everity of iv ecclesiastical legislation. Having pledged themselves by

the framework of their resolutions, and by the very act of meeting, to approve of Prince Binmarrk's policy, the promoters of the movement,' in imitation of Lord Russell, deolined to inquire what that policy was. It might have occurred, even to a blatant Protestant, that some laws might be good, while other laws might be oppressive. If the speakers were ignorant of the material facts of the controversy, they had no right to invite from their audience any opinion whatever."