The Dawning of the Twentieth Century in Europe [pp. 761-772]

772 THE DA4WNING OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY. [Mar.,
cussion of the proposals, with the help of two leading juriscon sults from America, should render.
As to the settlement of the Roman question, the suggestion
came from America. The idea was to follow the example of
the American Union with regard to the City of Washington
and the District of Columbia. This is a sort of neutral terri tory, whose affairs are controlled by commissioners nominated
by Congress. There are no representatives for the district, and
no elections in it consequently.
The patrimony of the church has been restored, and the government of the city and territory is placed in the hands of
commissioners chosen by the Holy Father. Florence is the
capital of the republic, and Rome once more the capital of
Christendom.
Now Europe, whilst retaining her ancient divisions, is traversed by a series of neutralized states which serve as barriers
between the rival powers; the right of free passage on all the
high seas, including the Mediterranean and the Dardanelles, is
guaranteed to the whole world, and the head of the Catholic
Church is at last free to deal without let or hindrance with
every portion of his wide.spreading domain. The Eternal City
has wakened up from the fitful fever of Revolution, the moneychangers have been driven from the temple, and an era of
blessed tranquillity now seems to have dawned at last over
long-distracted Europe. The Pope once more is free.