Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-02-08
W. POPE is DEAD.

THE POPE is DEAD.
The news has flashed around the
world that the pope of Rome, Plus TX,
is dead, and everywhere it must produce
a profound sensation. Politically his
death, so long expected, will probably
produce no important changes. The
temporal power of the pope, taken away
by the stirring events which occurred in
the reign of Victor Emmanuel, is not
likely to be restored. Plus TX was one
of the greatest men who lived and acted
within the present century. The con
clava of cardinals to assemble st once at
the Vatican will choose the pops's sue.
cessor, but it will be dihcult, if not in.
possible, TO fad a man who will become
so beloved and SO influential in the Cath.
ole world. Plus TX had great opportu.
nitiea and made the most OF them. A
few points of his life recalled
at this time cannot fail to be OF great
interest. He was born in ~Sinigaglia
May ID, 1892, and, therefore, ct his
death yesterday at 3 o'clock pm, was
eighty.fye years, five months and tween.
ty-three days old. His full name was
Giovanni Maria Mastai Frerretti, and
his father was Count Girolarmo Solazzi.
Ia his eleventh year be was sent to col.
lege, and in 1903, when sixteen years cid,
he was sent to Rome to pursue bis &C.
clesiastieal studies, and in 1918 be re-
ceived holy orders. In 1923 he visited
Chill, and spent two years at Santiago
in preaching and instruciiug. Return.
ing to Rome in 1926 he was appointed
by Leo XII to be president Of the Hos.
pital st. Michael, where be remained a
year and a half. Ia 1927 be was ap.
pointed Archbishop of Spolito, where be
founded an orphan asylum. During
the disturbances of 1881 he induced
1000 insurgents to surrender. and
for a time was invested with the
administration Of civil affairs in the pro.
vinces Of Spoleto and Peruga. In 1892
he was transferred to the See of Imola,
and 10 December, 1889, be wal created
cardinal, his appointment beiog held in
petto until December, 1910. On the
death Of Pope Gregory XVI. the con-
clave chose him pope June lG. 1916, after
o session Of forty. eight hours, aud on the
following day he a proclaimed under
the title Of Plus TX The election of q
man OF bis well known liberal sentiments
was hailed with joy. Ga July 10Th, be
Published a general amnesty to political
offenders, and afterwards applied himself
to the reduction Of taxes, civil reforms,
and the promotion Of railroad and other
enterprises. He appeared on the
streets on foot without os~tentation,
and vas very popular for a time with
the people. His liberal course ex
cited enthusiasm throughout Europe
and America, and in December,
l847, a remarkable meeting Of sympa.
thy was held by Protestant citizens 10
New York. The revolutions Of ls48,
however, weakened his hold upon popu.
lar affection and drove him to a more
radical policy. On the 18Th Of Novem.
Der the former French ambassador,
Count Rossi, whom be had summoned to
the ministry, was a~ssasnnated at the
door Of the council chamber. The Q1ari
raj was besieged and the pope was forced
to accept a radical ministry. He became
virtually O prisoner in the palace, ard
managed on the oath to escape in dis.
guise to Gaeta, where he was received
With great hanor. Expressions Of attach
ment and presents Of money poured il
to him from all parts Of the world. Fl.
issued a protest against the ieYolu
tionary government, and on Feb
ruary Is, lS49, he called upor
the Catholic powers, particularly
France, Spain, Austria, and Naples ior
armed assistance. On the same day tn,
Roman assembly declared the inaugura
ton of a republic and toe tenpora
deposition of the Pope. French, Aus
TRAN, aud Spanish troops enabled thr
Pope to return to Rome in triumph il
April, 1850. He declared a partial am
nesty, but his liberal t~eudencie
were entirely checked. He publishe,
a briet restoring the Catholic hierarch.
in England, which caused such feel
ing that parliament passed an act forbid
ding the Catholic bishops to assume thei
titles. In 1854 be assembled the bishop
OF all Christendom land proclaimed th
dogma Of the Immaculate conception
After the war Of 1859 it was proposed b
the emperors Of Austria and France t
unite the Italian States under the homo
rary presidency Of the pope, but the pre-
Jeet fell through. 0nthe 29th OF Marcel
1850, the pope published 0 bull excon