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Show PIUS I'S SUCCESSOR TO HE ELECTED BY UNIVERSAL StiF-F StiF-F II AGE. Pius IX. has been an innovator in so many respects during his protracted Pontificate that one is not surprised at any report concerning intentions of a totally novel character on his part, although the measure now stated to be under consideration at the Vatican is of a nature to upset all the regulations consecrated by traditions and the practice prac-tice of so many centuries in the elcc-lion elcc-lion of Supreme Pontiff. It is affirmed af-firmed that Ptus IX., availing himself of the infallibility of his decisions in such matters, haa expressed a wish that his successor shall be elected by universal suffrage. lie hopes by such a radical reform, which would be a return to the earliest ages of the Church of Rome, to counteract the . revolutionary principle which now tends to diminish the prestige and . authority of the Papacy. The rcaliza-1 rcaliza-1 Lion of the scheme would not be so difiicult as may at first appear. On the vacancy of tho Holy Sec being . proclaimed, a register would be opened in every parish, and the faithful would be free to inscribo their votes on it for the space ol ouc momn. j no ouicc of the conclave would be to examine the votes and proclaim tho result. 1 The candidate would, of course, bo authoritatively indicated for the suffrage suf-frage of the faithful, who would only have to sanction a previously prepared formula, all Catholics without dis-1 Unction of age or ses having a right to vote, and illiterate persona aihxing their cross in lieu of their signature. Whether this plan will be carried into effect or not time only will show, but it will be curious if in future the principle of Papal elections is founded on the motto of the Koman Republicans Republi-cans of 1S49, "Iio e Popolo." A recognition of tho principle ol universal suffrage was indicated by the recent "black plebiscite' in Rome, when 27,000 signatures were collected in favor of the Pope, and it has also been asserted that his Holiness intend-to intend-to submit to a universal plebiscite the nceesMty of temporal sovereignity foi the Roman Pontiff. Letter from Home. |