The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1878-02-21
years old; had been priest sixty. 3

years old; had been a priest sixty, q
Bishop fifty-one, a cardinal thirty lei ht,
and Pope thirty-one years and seven
months. Of the long list of 257 Popes,
there have been but nine who served
over twenty years. One of these, Plus
VI, was Pope twenty-four years and
six months. Twenty-Five years is the
term attributed to Peter, and no other
Pope. except Plus IX., has served q
term of that length.
Plus IX. began his reign by general
amnesty, and by a vigorous reform of
the Civil Government of the Papal
States, making personal Investigations
into abuses, and promptly applying the
remedy. In 1917, he convened a Pop
ular Council of Delegates from the va
rious Provinces, and was looked upon
all over the world as the leading politi-
cal reformer. The next year, 1S48,
revolutionary proceedings took place
in all parts of Europe, and the Pope
refused to approved or indorse the pop
ular demands. A revolution took place.
Count Rossi, the Minister of State, was
killed, and the Romans forced the
Pope to name q more radical
Ministry. Declaring himself no longer
free, he escaped to Gaeta. A Republic
was declared in Rome. He continued
to reside at Gaeta until April, 1850, his
authority having in the meantime been
re-established by French arms. Among
the many notable events of his Pontifi-
1852, re-established a Roman Catholic
Hierarchy in England; 1854, after a
convocation of Bishops, formally de-
fined the dogma of the Immaculate Con-
ception; 1856, established English and
American colleges at Rome; 1862, can
onized the Japanese martyrs; 1864,
the famous Encyclical Letter; 1869-'7O,
the convocation of the Council of the
Vatican, and the declaration of the
dogma of Pagal Infallibility.
The political trials of Plus TX. have
been almost continuous. He had been
| Pope but two years when he was forced
to leave Rome by the Revolutionists,
and was restored two years after by a
French Army. In 1859 began the agi-
tation for the unification of Italy under
one Government. The conquest OF
| Lombardy, the annexation of Parma,
Modena and Tuscany, in 1S6O-'6l, were
| signs that could not be mistaken. In
1861, the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies
was overthrown, and that monarchy
incorporated in the now-recognized
Kingdom of Italy. Then followed the
annexation of Umbria and Ancona
These matters brought the King Of
Italy and the Pope into direct opposi
ton. The Pope refused to recognize
him as King of Italy, and there ha:
been open contention ever since. The
French Army had been continued il
Rome from 1S4S, and Rome was. b,
the Intervention of the same Govern
mcnt, protected from Italian occupa
ton; but in 1870, owing to the wal
with Prussia, France withdrew hel
troops, and in September Of that yeal
Italian troops entered the city. A
| popular vote taken soon after was il
favor of annexation in Italy, and il
January, 1871, Victor Emmanuel Ell
tered Rome us the Capital of the King
dom of Italy. The protests of the Pop,
have been incessant and spirited. H,
has declared himself a prisoner in hi
own States, and no longer free in til,
discharge OF his duties as splrltua
father of the faithful. But no power
interviewed in his behalf, and he ha
died, leaving the political States of hi
predecessors in the hands of the Kins
of Italy.
In June, 1877, was celebrated hi
golden jubilee of fifty years Il Bishop
He was visited by pilgrims from al
parts of the world, bearing to him larg'
sums of money and other gifts.
The private life and character of til,
late Pope have, as a general thing, beer
commended by friend and foe. He wa
a scholar, and a liberal and discrimi
mating patron of learning. He was /;
man of atfablc manners and fascinating
address, and has filled a larger shar,
in the worlds history than any Pop,
who has served during the last three
| centuries Chic00O Tribune