p whom we have rightfully instituted. Can he be ignorant that a
Catholic bishop is always the same, whether in his see or in the
catacombs, and that his character is ineffaceable? Let it not be said that
in raising our voice against such misdeeds we encourage the European
revolution. We can distinguish between the socialist revolution and the
legitimate rights of a nation struggling for independence and its
religion. In stigmatizing the persecutors of the Catholic religion, we
fulfil a duty laid on us by our conscience. It behooves us to pray, with
renewed earnestness, for that unfortunate country. In consequence, we
impart our apostolic benediction to all who shall, this day, pray for
Poland. Let us all pray for Poland!" It was as if the breath of God's
anger were on the lips of the Holy Pontiff. Pius IX., remarks M. de St.
Albin, swayed by his deep emotion, had risen from his throne, his voice
was like thunder, and his arm appeared to threaten as if possessed of
omnipotence.

(M92) Such apostolic courage commanded the admiration of the enemies of
the Papacy. The deputy, Brofferio, said in the parliament of Turin, whilst
his colleagues, revolutionists like himself, applauded: "An old man,
exhausted, sickly, without resources, without an army, on the brink of the
grave, curses a potentate who slaughters a people; I feel moved in my
inmost soul; I imagine myself borne back to the days of Gregory VII.; I
reverence and applaud."

(M93) M. Meyendorf, the _charge d'affaires_ of Russia, having been
admitted to a private audience on occasion of the Christmas festivities of
1866, Pius IX. naturally directed the conversation to the painful state of
ecclesiastical affairs in Poland. The Russian minister denied everything,
even the most notorious facts, and ended by casting all the blame on the
Catholics, who, he affirmed, had openly transacted with the Polish
insurrection, whilst the Protestants generally sided with the government.
"Nor was this astonishing," he added, "considering that Catholicism and
revolution are the same thing." Pius IX. could not tolerate this false
assertion, which was so absurd that it could have no other object than to
insult him and the whole body of the faithful of whom he was the Chief.
"Depart," said he to the minister, as he dismissed him, "I cannot but
believe that your Emperor is ignorant of the greater part of the injustice
under which Poland suffers. I, therefore, honor and esteem your Emperor;