The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-02-21

On March Gioachino Pccci will celebrate
his sIxty-eighth birthday. He was born in
Carpineto. little village In the pontincal
States. OF patrician family. he was early
dedicated TO the Church, completed his studies
with distinction. attracted the favorable notice
Of his superiors, and while still very young
man he became member ot the household Of
Gregory XVI. receiving the appointments Of
domestic prelate and referendary All accounts
agree that he inspired the Pontin not only with
a high opinion Of his abilities. but with a warm
iatherly affection. which seems 10 have excited
little jealousy among less favored associates.
Gregory XVI. did not allow the talents Of his
fayortc 10 rust in idleness. Before he had been
long in the household he was sent as Papal
Delegate to Bcneycnto. lie acquitted himself
SO well in this responsible trustthat he was sub
scGucn,ly sent rs Delegate to spoleto and then
10 Perugia. Tho ylgor Vi his administration. and
especially the energy and success with which
he stamped out the then prevalent pest of BRIG
andagc. are still gratefully remembered by the
people Of Bencyento.
Still higher trusts awaited him. In ls43 he
was sent as Nuncio 10 Brussels. whore he so on
deared himself TO King Leopold l.. the then
King OF Belgium. that the latter warmly urge 1
GREGORY Ayl to rase h BE M young prGlatS t9 the
require much urging in case whore the re-
quest Jumped 50 closely with his own inclina-
bishop Of Damiata. and assigned him the soc Of
Perugia. he reserved him in petO. as it is called
---thqt is, indicated his purpose 10 give him the
Cardinals hat at the next suitable opportunity.
- The hat WAS ,seyen long. years in coming.
Gregory XVI. died in 1916. leaving this and
tin mounted the THRONE. Possibly the high
favor in which Peccl had stood with his pre-
decessor. did not recommend him to Plus TX.
whose voiec then. MS afterward. was potent In
The councils Of the Vatican, greatly preferred
rIfG rSna 2 ns SSopppnyd h bs n that
the Cardinal Secretary Of State turned a deaf
ear. and i was not until Dec. 10. 1853, that Pecci
tended for him in lS4G. How the opposition Of
Antonelli was finally overcome. whether this
oppositlon sprang from personal ill-will or
man 10 sec the advancement Of a possibly dan
gcrous rival are points that are not likely ever
Even alter his admission to the Sacred Col
lege he was still kept NJ distance from the Vat
lean, Lett in his See Of lerugIIa, he admins
and friend had left all his nroportyto him. and
he mndo a good use Of it, His tact was. notably
shown whom n fierce quarrel broke ont between
the Swiss Guards and the Pontinca Zounvcs .
he kept his head, stayed in his palace, main
tanned strict impnrtiqlity. apd, restored order
II said that an English preate urged that So
learned a scholar AMI COED 2 bishop as Pecci
ganda. " An excellent bishop truly was ihe
Pope's quick reply; we viii leave him 10 the
care Of his diocese" More recently, when the
death ~ another Cardinal left the office of Pro-
Dutario vacant disappointment of l"cci seemed
SO inevitable that he went to Rome and installed
himself in the Fulcnnieri pnlnco; lut only to
sustain fresh disappointment The place WAS
given a. Cardinal SleHonL
The d'atA of Autnuoll changed an this. The
long nuni simon, was oyer, aud P,ru'sN lost ii-
rNrcllent Bishop The doors of the Vatican mt
last II open h'forr him. Once admitted, he
soon q. ~prcl his footing and The honorable
PW- IN. hestrnei t. DO lu-tl 20 bis tnlcut~.
and to nuke ulnrnds for past neglect. on his
appuiutment NJ ttWorlrugp. n corrrspluI"nt
Of tl" London IuH's Wrote uDl.r DAFT # Sept.
-. 1871;
The telegraph na. alra made you acquainted with
ihr result W Fudt.s tuuelsioN The folr had ssue
crleHgo vacant in cuuso iuecr u the death a. Cardinal
De Angchs iy appointing cardinal ItcDi 20 the OH %,
Wueh tho r,ucs death MI ht "a au, tulr invest WIN
supreme importance II Wls, uuWctrr, Hndc.tuo that
Pocc Ind declined the intended honor pleading reasons
which Seem to have been sasihctn, To- lu~ Holiness.
subsequently re fnlcs sl-nlOc VA, supposed 10 have
fallen uu Cardinal Pan, hluuru. lutlt- rot uuhhoN that
objections arose "n ihr part ol tins prelHc also, ina.
much ~ II Wis won known That lr Wns not
without hope o attaining the hieur-i rank in the h.r-
rArohN AZ the % II fdpal election ana there are hu rare
instances, nud 'ouV recent. oi tamcll,net-NhD l.
louncd upon a Pop" maker. aud who tNrrri-cs the
whole authority ul Pope during the luirrie- -nn-c
obtaining the votes oi TIE Sacred college ON ls own b.,
halt The Pope. therefore, went back to hs former
eLViee and oNcsamc Peeeis resistance BY that authority