The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-08-10
ALL FRANCE ON THE MARCH.
Priests and People in Solemn
Professional Progress.
THE CHIEF PnGRnGAGEs.
To the Tomb Of st. Martin, at Tours; to
the Birthplace Of st. Vincent de
Paul, at Bnglose (POuy), in
the Landes, and to Our
Lady of LOurdes.
LoURDRs, July %, 1879.

Lazy Vi LOurueSs
LoURDRs, July %, 1879.
One day last month my attention was called to
the French pilgrimages subject Of which did
not Immediately appreciate the Importance. l was
soon to learn that they are an outward manifesto
ton OF the solemn protest and general uprising Of
the religious classes, not only in France, but ali
over Catholic Europe, against the infdelity and
heresy OF modern thought, and that both from q
social and political point of view they are probably
the most remarkable OF the current events Of the
time. Being entrusted with the duty of draw
ing up report on the French pilgrimages,
In order to give the American public
fair view of the whole question, entered at once
upon my task, and did so with peculiar pleasure,
because was informed explicitly that my pen
was under no restrictions; for that the NEW YORK.
HERALD, being that rarest Of oil things-an inde-
pendent newspaper-had no party interests and
no religious opinions to serve at the expense oil
truth, however respectable such interests or opin.
Ions might be in the abstract. To those who have
had much to do with journalism such frank and
handsome announcement on entering upon bust
ness viii be understood as particularly gratifying,
and it is only right to add that l should
have been unable to discharge my functions with
due regard to the public interests and my own
self-respect upon any other conditions. Feeling,
however, that my hands were quite free and that
had plenty Of elbow room, applied to M. Louis
veuillot, the most famous of French Journalists,
who, after an eventful literary career has settled
down into the position OF editor and proprietor oil
the excellent French clerical paper known as the
Untuers, and who is the doughtiest champion Of
the Roman Catholic Church. Through the ready
kindness OF NJ. Louis Veuillot obtained letter OF
Introduction to the Rev. Father Picard Director OF
the Central Committee OF the Pilgrimages in Paris,
and had thereby access to the fountain head OF in.
formation.
It was one afternoon at the beginning Of this
month that called upon Father Picard, at No. 8
Rue Francois First, noble house, situated in
fine street leading out OF the Champs Elysees and
cooled by the breezes OF the river Seine. All was
very quiet there, and was obliged to wait soma
time in corridor, only remarkable for it's cleanli.
ness, before any one replied to my summons.
Monks Of various ORDERS and now and then sober
cure In shovel hat came and went and passed and
repassed me, but they did not speak.
At length serving brother Of humble aspect and
with curious impeachment in his speech appeared,
noiselessy coming out Of quiet garden. wherein
stood chapel, at the back OF the premises.
understood him to ask me what
wanted, with the air Of man
whose tranquility was rarely disturbed by visitors,
and presented my letter from the great French
The doors Of the council chamber Of the Committed
Of Pilgrimages opened instantly before the spell Of
M veuillot's name and / was ushered into tho
presence OF
LIE REVEREND PERE BAILLY.
He is a handsome man Of about thirty, with tho
manners and bearing Of q French eccesiastic Of
the highest class about him. He is one Of thu
chosen vessels OF the Faubourg st. German, and
by no means vessel Of wrath. His conversation
had the gentle gravity OF one whose ordinary talk
was with ladies high descended and with states
men and mobiles 1t would have been impossible that
he could give offence, his voice was so soft and
musical, his smile so sweet and his look 50
gracious. man Of fine, bold forehead, too, and,
as afterwards learned, Of q vigorous intellect;
not clerical dandy this courtly priest, but one OF
the coming preates OF the Roman Church, the
finer porcelain OF human clay from which it makes
its Cardinal Archbshops.
In saying thus much l would desire cautiously
to guard against mslnterpretation. do not IN
tend to imply that the Pere Bailly Is ambitious
or self-seeking man. have no right to do any.
thing OF the kind, for his private character Is
known to me. But ambition nowadays rusnea
into stump oratory and becomes a Gladstone, for
any good that they do it, while covetousness
haunts the Stock Exchange, and comes out strong
in impressive architecture and trotting horses.
The man who intends to become or who Is likely
to become Cardinal Archbishop must scorn de-
lights and the way to the eminences Of the Church
Is thorny and steep.
TALK WITH A PRIEST.
Thus spoke the Rev. Father Bailly, as he drew
his chair near to mine in p business fashion, and
met INV lnquiring glance very steadily
"a General committee OF Pilgrimage has been
formed under the auspices OF HIS Greatness LA
GRANDEUR My Lord tMonseigneur) the Bishop Of
Grenoble, as the result or outcome OF the national
pilgrimage which lately took its way to Our Lady
Of Salette. 1t Is composed OF a director, presi'
dent, vice presi dent, secretary a treasures
and several councillors. 1t nas established the fol
lowing rules
!. The object OF the committee is to foster the
movement Of pilgrimage In France, either by sug-
costing and originating national pilgrimage OF lts
own initiative or by encouraging Individual enorts
in this direction as application for its countenance
and assistance may require It's consideration. =,
2. The committee Will correspond with tne . III
rectors OF the sanctuaries or shrfnes TO wDcn inc
pilgrimages are to be made, IN order 10 naAs VIC
3. The committee will issue circulars stating tno
conditions under which each pilgrimage Is W 10
made when 1t has been decided TO unue,t "a. ~.
4. The committee will be represented ~ que oL
its members at each sanctuary during inc wnoe
period Of the pilgrimage. A.. ,.--....- -
5. The committee Will Suggest tne Iormauon OF
subcommittee In the provinces, organized upon
the same basis as ITSELF and will entertain REGULAR
correspondepce with such subcommittee.
g. These local committees VIII have the entir6
control and drectloh VI Tic pukraBes III tnelr Ie-
= They viii be also expected to interest Them.
selves in the general work OF the national Pilgrim
ages and for this purpose will correspond with the,
Central Committee in Paris.
8. The cashbox (cdtsse) OF the committees OF pill,
grimage VIII be filled by the aims which pilgrims
may choose 70 give Tor this object In short, the'