Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-10-13
New York Tribune
Cardinal M'CIOskey.

The death of the first American Cardinal
ends a career not less remarkable forth ex-
tent of its achievements than for the means
by which they were accomplished. There
have been many Princes OF the Church pos
sessed by spirits so virile and commanding
that their masterful progress suggested only
the free exercise of those faculties which WIN
success in lay enterprises, and who seemed
to he politicians, commanders, organizers,
first and most and churchmen in the second
place. But Cardinal NcCloskey was above
ALI priest, and yet he was so eminent an adj
ministrat0r that his abilities in that direction
would have distinguished and enriched him
in anv secular occupation. With this strik-
ing executive power went also charity so
comprehensive, self-extinctlon so genuine.
purity of character so marked, as TO helghten
the contrast between wha: seemed his person
al tendencies and the actual results OF his
ecclesiastical lab1rs. And those labors wee
colossal. In half century of strenuous work
this physically delicate man bore most i'm
portant part in the organization and develop
ment Of the Roman Catholic Church IN the
United States. When he came on the scene
it was a feeble. struggling, slow-growlng IN
stitution. He left il mature, robust. vlgor-
Gus, Astounding in means, and mt to emulate,
in ceremonial the splendid functions OF the
mother Church in the Old World.
When he entered the priesthood there
were only nine bishops in the country. To-
dag there are fifty-nne. with eleven arch
bishops, Of whom one (himself) had been
elevated TO the dignity of the rardinalate.
And this expansion is but the symbol OF the
more political progress which finds express
sion in thousands of educational establish
ments and churches. planted over the Union
everywhere. To all this lusty growth the
late Cardinal contributed of his judgment,
knowledge, energy and life. If the crown
ing honor of his career found him already
near exhaustion it was because he had liter
ally worn himself out in the service of the
church But the church knew and appreciated
him, and indeed his life is pregnant exam
pie Of the wisdom wherewith Rome guides |
her vast spiritual empire. To recognize |
and to promote young priest whose learn |
ing and sound judgment were so much
obscured by his humility and modesty; to
elevate him 30 rapidly that he wore the mitre
ten wears after his ordination; to select him
with such unerring tact for The succession to
Archbishop Hughes; and finally, when the
was reached to create an
American Cardinalate, to invest him with the
beretta-showed a skill and know ledge of
what was fit of itself sufficient to demonstrate
the survival of the governing capacity which
in earlier ages made the Vatican the centre
IF civilization and the Pontiff's council the
Parliament OF Europe.
1t IL by her traditional judgment and sub
tletv that the Church of Rome has outridden
30 many storms. 1t is BY her marvellous
pre- cence in the selection of agents that she
has accomplished so much in the face of such
difficulties. And seldom has this power been
al bop in tba |
which made simple, retiring meek John Nc
Closkey the head of the Church in America.
For he was born to popularze Roman Catho-
icism in country by constitution and in
stnct hostile to the Vatican. 1t needed
personality so attractive. character so dis
arming in its tenderness and self-abnegation,
4 disposition at once atfectonate and per-
'istent to break the barriers of prejudice.
No man made more friends than the Cardinal,
nr kept them more firmly. His erudition was
great, but it was thrown into the shade by
his geniaity. He possessed to marvellous
extent that mysterious gift of attraction
which in colloquial symbolism is called mag
netism; perhaps the external indication of
spirit so benefcent. kindly and good that
even the obstruction of the flesh cannot
disguise its manif stations The influence
of such a man under such conditions
AZ were accorded him, could not be other
than wholesome. In Law life, when we en-
counter one of these admirable souls, even
in the toll and tumult of action, not dissocia-
ted from the sordid influence which necessa-
ri affect all social and business competition,
We appreciate and recognize the elevating
impulses thus disseminated When such
character, however, is permitted to develope
in the pure and stimulating at
mosphere of the religions life. the results of
fer, perhaps the best that humanity can at
tain or expect. Beside the exalted strain of /
such a career all sectarlan enmity sinks away |
ashamed. The material ends involved, may
not meet the approval of all, and the very |
speudor of the successes reached may afford
ground for apprehension. But though he
was faithful and Jealous in the service of the
church. it is as man that the Cardinal will
be mourned; and the least spiritually mind |
ed may frankly acknowledge that life so
lived honors and ennohes the faith to which
il is consecrated,