Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1878-03-01

SAihAAAAA hhail A'G ~ a. s|AAtA'A-'s-l
called to the post of Camerlengo.
A member of all old patrican fami-
ly, Gioyacchino Pecci comSecratsd
himself to the priesthood in his
youth. Soon after his ordinations he
was commended TO the notice of Pope
Gregory XVI, who appointed him
one of the prelAtes Of his household,
and Sfterward employed him aS pri-
vate Refendary. Becoming nc
quainted with the character of the
young prel2te, and ascertaiming that
he was possessed of great executive
ability aud firmness, Gregory ap-
poin. him his Delegate to Bene-
ventO, wi,h full powers to inqaire
into and reform the administration
of government there. He was ex-
tremely successful III this mission,
aud was afterward sent as delegate
To Spoleto and Perugia, in which
districts che displayed remarkable
ability for the institution and ad-
ministration of laws. A special re
suit of his efforts in these three dis
tricts OF the Poutifical States was
that brigandage was checked, many
of the most daring marauderS being
captured and executed. Pope Greg
oly, pleased with the work of his
Delegate, appointed him Papal Nun
clio to Brussels, aud soon afterward
raised him to the dignity of Arch
bishop of Perugia. Pecci was then
not more than 33 years of age. In
Brussels he captivated KING Leo
pold l. OF Belgium, who was ever
afterward his earnest friend. He
was an ariStocrat in tastes, graceful
III bearing, courteous, and withal
practical Even thus early in life
he had perfect knowledge of men.
BY the exercise of his pleasing fac
ulties, the young Archbishop of Pc
rugia obtained from King Leopold
many favors for the Papacy, and
when he returned to Rome from
Brussels Gregory greeted him with
loving thanks. Aud when, a short
time after his return, the Protestant
King sent to the Pope request for
his elevation to the Cardinalate,
the ability with which he had worked
in Brussels was still more highly
commended in Rome. Gregory de-
sired to show respect for the wish of
King Leopold, and at the same time
to mark his own appreciation of the
powers OF Pecci, by making him a
member of the Sacred College, but
the age of the Archbishop restrain.
ed him. Pecci was made Cardinal
however, ami remained such when
Gregory XVI. died in 1916.
The abilities the candidate for
Cardinalate had displayed, and the
progress he had made in the Church,
had, however, procured him enemies
as well as friends. And most of his
enemies were in high positions.
Cardinal Antonelli was the most
powerful of them. He feared that
strong, practical mind like Pecci's
would, if allowed to bear upon the
methods of the Papal Court, soon
overcome his own influence. Besides
this, Pecci was moderate in all his
views. He believed in governing
the states of the Church in accord.
ance with the logic of accomplished
facts, and opposed Antonelli's policy
of keeping heavy hand upon the
people. The result of this variation
between the views of the Archbishop
of Perugia and the Papal Minister OF
State was that the latter prevailed
with Pope Plus TX to delay the eleva.
ton of the former to the Cardinal
ate. The King OF Belgium renewed
his request in behalf of Pecci, but nc
heed was paid to it, and the disap
pointed young prelate retired to the
seat OF his Archdiocese. For years
he did not visit Rome. Antonell
had filled the mind of Pope Plus
with distrust of him, and the knowl
edge of his great abilities gradually
faded from the minds of people in
the Eternal City. Seven years after
the death of his patron, Pope Greg
ory, Archbishop Pecci was called tc
Rome. Antonelli feeling that he had
crushed out his ambition, bad with.
drawn opposition to his advance
ment to the Cardinalate, and Pope
Plus TX. for brief period showed
him some favor. On Dec. 10, 1858
he was invested with the insignia o.
Cardinal. The scant regard thai
had been paid him was then with
drawn by the Pope, and, once more
disappointed, he went back to Pc
rugia. Antonelli never could over
come a dread to have him long a
the Papal Court. In Perugia h,
made himself beloved. His life wa
simple, and III no respect did he Civ,
opportunity for scandal. Barely
leaving his Archdiocese he became
known to all its people, in minister
ing TO whom he used that encrg,
and executive power which were ex
pected by Pope Gregory to max
him one of the principal tigures il
the hierarchy of his Church. H
went to Rome very seldom, and, ex
cept by Antonelli and Pope Plus
who was influenced by his Secretar,
of State, he was almost forgotten
there. Antonelli and the Pop
thought of him simply to devils
means whereby he should be KEEP
in the background. When Cardlna
Vannicelli Casoni died a few year
ago, and the office of Pro-Datori
became vacant, he made a persona
effort to procure the post. He wen
to Rome and took up his residenc
in the Falconieri Palace. He aE
pealed to Pope Plus for recognition
but Antonelli again put himself i
his way, and his application was re
jected. Once more he returned t
Perugia disappointed.
| He made no more appeals to tn
reigning Pope, and the next CORES
pondence between the two dignital
les of the Church took place at tn
time of the death of Cardinal d
Angillis the camerlengo, or Chan
berlaln of the Sacred College. Pop
Plus requested Pecci to accept tn
vacant office, and was apparentl