The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1878-02-17
Plus X.
From the Times.

From the TmeB.
The mcst conspicuous figure upon the
worlds stage has disappeared. The man who
for more than q third of G century has enjoy
ed more absolute homage than any temporal
monarch the world has known, who governed
4 not only the outward but the internal man in
every nation on the globc, kho has been the
ssollctude and the dread, the hope and the men,
ace of all the courts and cabinets on earth,
whose lightest breath was felt as strongly
oere as in the shadow of the Vatican, who
bas set at defiance the traditions of his prede,
cessors and almost overridden the laws of ma
ture herself-this wonderful man is dead. His
Lifetime includes the most tremendous cpl.
asodes of modern times, his Pontifoate was
contemporary with the greatest spiritual
Revolutions the history of man will record
Coming upon the scene at time when the
iPapsl establishment was tottering beneath
the rude hand of Napoleon /, be has lived to
see that peerless soldier perish in helpless ex
lie, and the growth of new things hide
from sight and memory the proudest Of his
works. Plus TX. found the monarchy of the
aehurch imperiled, and, though he has seen its
physical power stripped from it shred by
the period of the church's widest and most
absolute authority over The faith, the rever-
lence and the obedience of mankind. Defeated
by Italy, betrayed by France and oppressed by
and strengthened apd perpetuated an influence
which 10 temporal ruler can ever WELD and
i swhioh he trHnsmits to his successor unim-
paired in the present and, 80 far as human
future.
With the struggles of the Papal govern !
1ment against the eucroaohments of Italy, wei
need have nothing to do. They have enter
led into history and form q chao oter which
men will judge according to their lights I'M
slS71, Victor Emmanuel entered Rome and the
Pope's temporal power came to an end.
Whether that ooneumRation be good or
otherwise for the progress and development
and the happiness of mankind, it is too soon
to determine. There will always be more
than one opinion that point, however
while the love of the Church remains in its
present place among mems sentiments and
passions. One fact, however, is conspicuous
now; that through all the bitterness and anil
mosties which have flourshed upon the great
conflict, Plus TX has retained the respect and
No honest voice can be raised to-day in any
quarter of the globe to reproaoh him With
selfshness or insincerity. Not one will with
hold from his memory the tribute which his
gentleness and goodness have 80 richly and
abundantly earned.
Plus TX. passes from the trials and cares of
this world TO his reward in eternity with the
respect and love of all who knew him OF his
the shadow of Q doubt against his kind and
honorable heart. An imposing and at the
same time gentle figure, full Of true charity
and immeasur9ble good will, he has earned the
ehloRy his affectionate historian has passed
upon him:
-"wh0t would golden throne be for Piue
TX, throning, rs he does, on the devoted
hearts of these millionsf or who would not
put aside the title of great for that OF beloved,
3if, indeed, any title were wanting to the dear
land glorious name of Pho Nouof'