The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-05-14

J Il Mitchell ] Maei'
Hon Delavigpe. DR. j fabatut
Manuel j Garcia. DIR W T. Brickpli
Bornio, Thomas O'Neil,
antoine Carriere, & Bradley
HON 7 I Allan, Patrick Mallory.
] 9 Dinnies q Bienvenu,
Il nj Birmingham. r Brown
Gen, Vaudeville dc Jules Cassard
A J Kinseiaa Kiiaia CAPT HG HBGif@es. Barrett UsN
Prof T. Seaman.
Mr.. Robert now introduced the Hon
Henry d. Ogden to the meeting, pro-
voking long and enthusiastic cheers.
After few congratulatory remarks ad-
dressed to the meeting by their distin-
guished president, he in turn introduced
to them DR.. Thomas Layton.
THE ORATOR OF THE DAY,
the appearance Of the orator being also
greeted enthusiastically Dr.. LAYTON
then spoke as follows:
Your Grace, Reverend Fathers, Ladies and Cen
We are assembled this evening to
celebrate an event unparalleled i'm his.
tory, the fiftieth anniversary OF the
episcopal conservation of the aal ,,1 ,olsu
fsfm or the Prince of the Apostles, has
alone, of ali the Popes, been permitted
to witness the flftieth anniversary Of his
elevation to the dignity Of bishop.
We. in common with the two hundred
and eleven millions OF our Catholic
brethren scattered throughout the uni
verse, meet to do honor to this occasion,
allowed by the Almighty, as an addi-
tional halo to surround the venerated
figure Of the illustrious captive OF the
Vatican. Our hearts throb in unison
with theirs; we believe that We
may apply to Plus TX the inspired
words @ "There was q man sent from
God, whose name was John. This man
came for witness, to give testimony Of
the light, that ali men might believe
through him." and in the person OF
John Mary Mastai Ferretti we see re-
flected "the glory OF the only begotten
of the Father" who. as we fondly be-
lieve, has permitted the occurrence OF
der that fresh lustre may encircle the
brow OF the august Pontiff, His Vicar
upon earth, and that the heart OF our
great Pope may be consoled by the
unanimous expressions Of filial love and
devotion. which, uttered by ''all nations
and tribes, and peoples and tongues"
will centre at the Vatican to fortify an
cheer the one who has ruled the church
in manner so visibly providential, and
whose sublime faith has never quailed
during the long struggle OF his pontifi-
cate against the "gates OF hell.
The history OF Plus TX is so familiar
to Catholics that it is unnecessary to do
more than give brief summary OF its
principal features.
John Mary Mastai Ferretti was born
at Sinigaglia, in the duchy Of Urbino,
on the 18th Of May, 1892. The Mastai
family had been illustrious for six CEN
turies, and as the descendant Of long
line OF noble ancestors, John Mary was
from his earliest years i'm bued with
those lofty principles which, in his aftel
career. have made him the central figure
Of the nineteenth century.
At the outset OF his eccles iastical Life
his health was so feeble that the de-
signs Of Providence in his regard were
surrounded with impenetrable mist, In
order to make their after realization
more evidently the work OF Above, Ger,
tainly, at that time, according TO al
human appearances, the humble priest
, whom the universe now acclalms as tne
great Pontiff, who will give his name tt
the age In which we @ live, was destlnee s
, gradually rifted, and with perceptible
, Improvement in his health, he was
, shortly after his ordination, placed il
charge of the orphanage "Tata Clio
. vanni," at Rome, which position h
filled for three years. In 1928 he wa
, sent to Chilli with the Apostolic dele
3 gate. to whose person he remained at
tached for two years. This visit to Amer
, lea has proved bright spot in the recol
; lections of Plus TX, who, since his ele
vation to the supreme pontifcate, ha
always taken pleasure in recalling tn
fact that he is the only Pope who ha
7 ever set foot upon American soil. O
returning to Rome in 1926, he was mad
director Of the hospital Of St. Michael
= in which position his superior abilitie
4 attracted the attention Of Leo XII, tn
. then reigning Pontiff, who, on the 21a
F.. May, 1927, created him Archbishop G
q Spoleto. 1t is the fiftieth anniversary c
!. his accession to the see Of Spoleto tha
we celebrate to-day, and on this occa
sion, without historic parallel, as Cath
: olics, we are proud Of our Pope; as chi
q dren Of the church we are supernatural
y happy at being allowed to send off, o
the wings Of lightning, our congratuls
/ tions and expressions Of love, certain, q
2 we are, Of awakening sweet emotions /