One of the most daring enterprises of the Italian ministry was their
scheme, in conjunction with the Prussian chancellor, for the election of a
Pope on the demise of Pius IX. Hitherto, when the Popes enjoyed their
temporal sovereignty, the Cardinal Camerlingo, or high chamberlain,
directed everything from the time of the Pope’s decease until the election
of a successor. It was the purpose of the ministry to arrogate to
themselves the attributes of this high dignitary, who acted, temporarily,
as the Sovereign of Rome. For the attainment of their end, fraud, lying
and forgery were freely had recourse to. It being understood that there
existed a Bull relating to the election of Pius the Ninth’s successor, and
that it was in the custody of Mgr. Mercurelli, the Secretary of Pontifical
briefs, a high price was offered to any one who should treacherously
deliver it into the hands of the revolutionists. Such a temptation was not
to be resisted. A cunning scribe, who could imitate the handwriting of
Mercurelli, made a copy of an ancient Bull of Pius VI., adapting it to the
circumstances of the time. To the great confusion of the astute chancellor
and his associates, the Italian ministers, the forgery was discovered, and
the sage statesmen befooled in the sight of all Europe by a common felon.
Nothing, however, was to be left undone that was calculated, as the
conspirators conceived, to secure the election of a Pope who would reject
the decisions of the Vatican Council. For this end it was proposed to take
military possession of the Vatican Palace, and appoint a commissioner to
superintend the election and carry out the views of the faction. This
iniquitous plot appears to have been overthrown by a vigorous article
which was published in the _Osservatore Romano_. It is said to have been
inspired by Pius IX. It stated, among other things, that “the Vatican
changes not with the changes of the times, and the Lord, who has protected
it in the past, and given visible proofs of His continued protection, will
protect it in the future, and defend it against all, whatever artifices,
whether secret or open, its enemies may employ, in order to conquer and
overthrow it.” The revolutionary journals, whose constant cry was “war to
the knife” on the Church and the Papacy, could not refrain from expressing
their astonishment, it ought to be said their admiration, of this masterly
document. “It is impossible,” said the _Republique Francaise_ of 28th
July, 1877, “not to be struck by the tone of authority, the vehemence and
the menaces, the ardent and deep-rooted faith which prevail from beginning
to end of this extraordinary production.”