The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1877-04-15
The Last Tribute.

Pope Plus TX will prove, in all human proba
bility, the last tribute of affection and respeo
which the Catholic Church at large will pay t.
her illustrious Head, before the final one of he
| sorrow and her tears.
This solemn probability, therefore, is wei
| calculated to awaken in the hearts of al
Christendom an earnest desire to testify ono,
more, in the face of the whols world, to tn,
exalted worth and heroic virtues of thei
Supreme Pontif and to their own III falterinl
faith in the truth and justice of His cause.
The long episcopate of Plus TX. may be con
sdered by worldlings aud 500 Fsrs as q human
failure, for he stands before them dethroned
King, an imprisoned Pontiff, and derided
Priest. The triple diadem-the tiara of Pope
Stephen-has no significance for them to-day
The Pope represents the Church and she, like
her illustrious Ruler, is totteripg slowly but
surely, say they, to death and decay. The
voice Of Christerdom refates this falsehood,
and the busy preparations now being made all
over the Christian world for the celebration OF
the anniversary of his episcopal conservation,
prove that the Papacy in itself is a power in
the land, and the Pontifcate of Plus TX in
particular, is a glory and a success
From all quarters of the globe, token of flial
remembrance are being forwarded to the Great
Head of the Christian family. and on the 3rd OF
next June the aged Pope will be made to feel
that he is still pontitf father and ruler over
three hundred millions of loving, loyal hearts.
Manitoba, Australia, Sunny France, Catholic
Canada-all are sending their tributes of love.
Some of these are the fruits of years of toll and
affection, while others are tributes of money to
be offered by the pilgrim bands of large
number Of the faithful.
Around his throne will stand representatives
of every nation upon earth, and before his feet
will be laid gifts from every cline. In this
proud and happy gathering we hope the United
States will prove no laggard in her love, no
niggard in her offerings This youngest darling
of the Faith, this favored land where Plus X
has declared himself to be most truly Pope
because most free to exercise the functions of
his spiritual power; this strong Republic
which has grasred the wisdom of the Cardi-
nalate before it reached century of years;
this vast country whose mountains, lakes and
streams are marked by names that fell, like
flowers, from the Cross borne by it's carly dis
coverers and settlers. Surely this part of
earth will not be found forgetful when the
Holy Fathers day of happy memory comes
round!
Loves last tribute should surely BIO q noble
one, and when the werld itself presen ts gift
there should be no flaw in it's completeness.
The United States will have no pilgrim band
before the Pontift's throne but If she cannot
go in person to pay her homage of veneraticp,
let her at least send a noble Offering which
shall rebound to her Fathers glory and her
own.
Louisiana is part of this great land. The
Cross stood upon her shore beside the banner
of her first explorer, and her very laws were
over a hundred years ago. Her do
main extended from the mouth of her great
river. north ward to the lakes and west ard to
the Pacific Ocean, and all this territory was
taken possession of by Catholic hero in the
name of Catholic king. Although a wilder
ness of unexplored wealth, sbe was rich in
faith and true in devotion to Peters chair.
In 1903 she was welded to the Union, and
her dover being larger than all the possessions
of the States, it was declared that "the acqul-
sition of Louisiana raises the United States to |
q place among the First Powers of the earth"
1t is Only meet, then, that having given so
proud rank to this young Republic, she
should nobly do her part in the homage paid
aver proved most loyal.
Let her also remember not only the heroism
If Plus TX during the long years he has stood
before the world, but also the worth of the
nan and the sanctity of the Christian. In
noble deeds and humble virtues his name
'hines undinmed by envy or detraction. The
purity of his life the nobility of his heart, the
of his hand, have found admirers in
he Protestant rulers of Europe and in the
uccessors of Mahomet.
When war desolated the South, he kindly
Vrote, even as st. Peter might have DONE in
he interests of peace and humanity, urging
pom the leader of our people the principles of
moderation and Justice, and praying that Gods
blessings might rest upon our hearts and j
ZONES.
Let Louisiana, then, be jealous in this work I
f reverence for great Pope and good man. c
nd let her part in the Jubilee Offering be I
nworthy Deither of herself nor of him. t
When the world gathers around his DEATH l
ed, as soon it must, according to human calcu. G
atoms, to sing his praise and exalt bis virtues t