The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-04-11
The New Pope.


Cardinal Joachim Pecci, who has been
elected by the Conclave of Cardinals at
Rome to succeed Pope Plus TX. as occu-
pant of the Pontifical chair, is an Italian
by birth, being native of Carpenetto in
the Diocese of Arragul, and is SO years of
age. He was the appointee of the late
Pope as Camerlengo or High Chamber
lain of the Vatican, and it is understood
that before his death Pope Plus had pri-
vately expressed preference for him for
the Pontitical succession. He was
created Cardinal December 10, 1858,
and was in addition to being Cardinal,
the Archbishop of Perugia. The late
Pope had great confidence in him, while
it is stated that the late Papal Premier
Antonnelli was exceedingly jealous of
him and feared his influence at the Vat
lean.
Pecci is described as "a man of power
cool, deep, with keen insight into
character, stern and resolute, and always
noted for his influence over others. 1t
was for this latter trait that Antonelli
dreaded him at Rome, we'll knowing that
he would. if anybody could, undermine
his authority and sap his influence with
the Pope" In Papal politics he is what
is called Moderate" being like his
predecessor in this respect, but with
more progressive ideas and views. There
was probably no one amongst the mem
bers of the class of Cardinals to which
he belonged that was more Objectionable
TO the rectionury party.
Personally, the new Pope is Of blame.
less Character, sincerely religious and
we'll versed in church matters. Holding
the opinions lie did, ii is no wonder that
he was no favorite with the Clique that
surrounded and controlled the Pope. As
Camerleugo he WAS tie official on whom
the control of affairs developed in the
interregnum betW cen the death of the Pope
and the election If his successor, and al
though the position has generally been
deemed unfavUrabe to the chances of
election to the Papal throne, he had oc-
cupied it too short time to create jeal
ousies or make enemies.
While il Is not safe to predict the
course of a Pope from his life and views
as a Cardinal, of which Pecci was, on ac-
count Of his high intellect and well tried
it is believed that the knowledge he POS
sesses of the relations between Church
and State will be accepted as an indica-
ton that, SO far as his individual efforts
can 60, the Church under his rule will
put Itself under better relation with the
Governments Of the world, and that the
Quarrels between the Vatican and the
Governments of Italy and Germany will
be suffered to drop. As man OF lntelll-
gence, he does not regard with such
pessmist eye as his colleagues the recip-
rocal sensations of the Church and So
ciety. He has evidently found in his
own mind solution for existing and
eventual difficulties, and that he will
exerciee his influence and talent in a
manner that will bring about amicable
relations With all, is sincerely to be
wished for. The new Pope is described
as tall and thin. His features have IN
aristocratc stamp, and are characterized
by great tinesse. He has n resemblance
at once 20 NOltaire and Richelieu. The
voice strikes one disagreeably at first, il
is so nasal in lis tones, out one soon gets
accustomed to this peculiarly, owing to
its fuiness and resonance. Although
simple in manner he is OF all the Card-
nais the one who carries himself with the
most Pontitical majesty, resembling in
this Plus TX, who, in his early days,
passed for incorporated Pecci Leo
XIII. will lie the 25Sth Pope of the
Church Of L me.-7oledo Blade.
CONCERNING RfGHT THISKISG. - A
great deal Is said about night actions and
wrong actions, and great deal of time
and labor is given to the forming OF
night habits OF action and the correction
OF wrong habits of action. All this is
well, but if we would LAY the AK at the
root OF the tree" and do away with all
wrong action by doing away with all
wrong thinking, our course would be far
more logical and far more successful.
Thought is the fountain Of action. The
essence of murder is malicious intent,
the essence of marriage is consent, and
so of ali actions the moral ana essential
quality is in the thought that gives birth
to the action. The general tenor OF a
mans life will be the general tenor of his
thought. If, like Vanderbilt, lie loves
money and dwells on ways Of making
money, hi- life will be spent in money
getting. If, like Byron, he delights in
thinking OF sensuous pleasures, his life
will tead toward voluptuousness. If,
like Sumner, he loves learning, and de-
lights in the acquisition of knowledge,
no will accumulate books aud haunt Ii.
braries, and cultivate the society of cd