Therefore, is it not a question now well worthy the consideration of all honest-thinking men, whether or not they should aid public opinion in sending forth a note of warning against this doctrine of confiscation--for else, perhaps, the disease may make a wider sweep over the earth, and parliaments or congresses be elected for the purpose of confiscating or escheating other property besides church property or the property of religious or charitable houses or communities? Judging from the tenor and tone of American decisions--upon the question involved--pronounced by some of our ablest and purest men, this "confiscation," or, more expressively, this "spoliation" of the property of the church and of religious orders, by Victor Emanuel, under color of parliamentary enactments, and tested also by recognized rules of international law, to say nothing of that higher law which commands us to "do unto others, etc.," such "confiscation" is utterly indefensible upon any doctrine other than that set forth in the nefarious maxim, "To the victors belong the spoils," and any acquiescence on the part of the Christian nations, Catholic or non-Catholic, is simply disgraceful, and an act of homage to the prince of this world which is in itself an act of dishonor towards God. And as any title so acquired can only be maintained so long as the usurper has the material power to occupy and defend, it is certain that with the destruction of that power the true and rightful owners may revive and assert their rights of ownership and possession, as the lawful successors of the original grantors and founders, regardless of any claims or incumbrances whatsoever made or suffered by intervening holders or intruders. FOOTNOTES: [1] Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1873, by Rev. I. T. HECKER, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. [2] Constitution of the United States. [3] Watson _v._ Jones, _13 Wallace 729_. [4] See Cardcross case, McMillan _v._ General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, 22 _D._ (_Scotch Ct. of Sess._) 270, decided 23d December, 1859. Attorney-General _v._ Pearson, _3 Merivale 353_; Miller _v._ Goble, _2 Denio 492_. [5] _3 B. Monroe 253_. [6] _7 B. Monroe 481_. [7] _2 Bush 332_. [8] 2 Speers' _Equity_ 87. [9] 2 Richardson's _Equity_ 215. [10] _7 Halstead 206_. [11] _45 Missouri 183_. [12] _3 Barr 291_. [13] _41 Pennsylvania State 21_. HOW GEORGE HOWARD WAS CURED.