ubsided. But before
very long another storm-cloud appeared.

A conflict between clericalism and the Government of France is not a
new thing. Indeed, it was at its height as long ago as the thirteenth
century, when Philip IV. and Pope Boniface had their little
unpleasantness, resulting in Philip's taking the popes into his own
keeping at Avignon, and in the issuance of a "Pragmatic Sanction,"
which defended France from papal encroachments.

The old conflict is still going on, and will continue until the last
frail thread uniting Church and State is severed.

The particular contention which agitates France to-day, inaugurated by
the late Minister Waldeck-Rousseau, and continued by his successor, M.
Combes, had its origin in an act called the "Law of Associations," the
purpose of which was to restrict the political power of the Church by
means of the suppression of religious orders of men and women upon the
soil of France.

This was considered an act of extreme oppression and tyranny on the one
side, and as a measure essential to the safety of the republic on the
other.

In support of their contention the republican party claimed that the
French clergy had always been in alliance with every reactionary
movement, and that every agitation and intrigue against the life of the
Third Republic had had clericalism as its origin and disturbing cause.
Hence, the expulsion of the religious orders was declared to be
essential to the safety of the republic.

But the Law of Associations was only preliminary to the real end in
view, which was accomplished in December, 1905, when a bill providing
for the actual separation of Church and State was passed by the French
Senate. There was a time when a measure so revolutionary would have
opened the flood-gates of passion, and let loose torrents of invective;
and the calmness with which it was debated in the French Parliament
makes it manifest that the highest intelligence of the nation had
become convinced of its necessity. The bill provides for the transfer
to the government of all church properties. This change of ownership
necessitated the taking of inventories in the churches, which many
simple and devout people, incapable of understanding its political
meaning, believed was a religious persecution, and resisted by force.
The bill recently passed is aimed not at the Church, but at
"Clericalism," a powerful element within the Church, which has been
determined to make it a poli