The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-02-11
Pope Plus TX from a Church
Standpoint.

SthuuIpOlut
Editors Intelligence.
John Maria Mastai Ferretti, born 18th
May, 1902, at sinagaglia in Ancona, took
the name Of Plus TX when elected sover'
eign Pontiff. His family was among the
most distinguished. Feeble health threat
eaed to interfere with his ecclesiastical
studies and even with his elevation to the
priesthood, but his impaired health being
restored he resumed his studies under the
celebrated Father Graniari, and, having
completed them, he was ordained in 1879.
Seven years were passed in charge of an
orphan asylum in the city Of Rome. He
was appointed Secretary to Monseigneur
Mazi, who was sent in 1928 to Chilli, Peru
and Mexico. On his return to Rome,
Plus VII had departed this life, but the
young ecclesiastic was kindly vel
coined by Leo XII, by whom he
was appointed Superior OF St. Michael,
a celebrated school. SO great was the
tact manifested by Father John Maria
Mastai Ferretta that he was appointed
Archbishop Of spoleto in 1881. The fol.
lowing year he was transferred to the
more important see OF smola. So signal
was his success in the office Of Bishop
that nine years later he was elevated to
tho dionity Of Cardinal, still governing
his diocese until 1916, when he was elect.
ed Pope in the conclave held on the death
Of Gregory XVI. His election took
place on the second day Of the conclave
and was hailed with an universal hozan.
no by the whole Of Europe. Even the
Sultan at Constantinople sent an ambas-
sador 10 greet the new Pope.
But It was in Rome especially
that enthusiasm knew no bounds.
Rejoicings we're kept up for days-fes.
tiyities, Examinations and songs Of joy
were the order OF the day.
The first act OF his pontifcate was to
proclaim general amnesty to all prison.
ers who had been condemned by the pre-.
ceding administration for conspiracies
and reyolts. Other DEGREES went forth
from the paternal Pic Mono, whose good.
ness Of heart and ardent desire for the
amelioration OF his people seemed bound.
less. But he failed 10 understand the
element with which he had to deal. Un.
der the leadership Of Mazzini the revolu.
tionists demanded concession after con.
cessson, until the gentle Pontiff saw that
there was danger ahead. BE soon found
the recipients OF his favor among the
coryphaei Of revolution; nay, even among
them men who would play the COW.
ardly part OF assassins.. A member Of
the Bonapar,e family in 1S47 and
1S4S marched, dagger in hand,
at the head OF the reyolutionists,
and in November, 1siS, his great prime
minister Count Rossi was assastinated
and the guilty one remained unpublished
and blessed Ia the hand that stabbed
Rossin succeeded the hozannas and Viva
Pic Mono Of a few short months before.
In the face Of this causeleSs and indeien.
sible revolt the gentle and kind hearted
Poutitr was obliged to Zee into exile and
narrowly escaped with his life. But the
same fell spirit was not confined to Rome
nor directed solely against the Pope, all
Europe was in blaze OF revolution.
Venice in revolt, Piedmont ut war with
Austria, all Hungary in revolution; the
King Of Prussia and other rulers Of Ger.
many had to fee or fight down
tho revolution. Paris was battle
field. The Pope thus exiled re-
paired incognita to Gaeta where he was
under the protection Of the King Of the
two Sicilies. AT this time, whilst revolt
and bloodshed ruled the hour, the Pope
was receiving most afiectionate letters Of
sympathy from nearly all the crowned
heads Of Europe. From all parts Of the
Catholic world offerings poured into the
holy Father. AtlOngth Austria, Spain,
France and other powers determined 10
restore the Pope TO his See Of the eternal
city, and on the S0th Of June, 1S40, the
French army, under Gen. 0udinot, sent
the keys Of Rome 10 the Holy Father.
Another OF the trials Of the Church Of
Rome eventuating In her triumph.
So much for the stormy beginnings Of
the reign Of Plus 1&. Now though the
whole pontificate OF nearly SO years
has been noted for trials still II has been
otherwise eyentiul. In the annals Of
the Catholic Church no Pope was
found more considerate Of the
poor and suffering in his States;
none more enthusiastic in the promotion
OF arts and sciences; none more ouiSpoken