The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1888-01-25
The President to the pope.


BALTIMORE, Jan 2s.-rhe following cable
gran, from Rome was to-day received by the
san: The gin Of President Cleveland to Pope
Leo Kill, was presented TO him Saturday
afternoon in the Throne Room of the vati-
can by the American delegation There were
also present members of the Noble Guard, in
their bright snowy uniforms. and attaches
of the Papri Court. Archbishop Ryan. OF
Philadelpiia, in presenting the bound copy
of the Constitution Of the United States.
said:
Holy Father, we feel most honored and
happy in being selected 10 present to your
Holiness this giff expressive of the venera-
ton and felicitation of his Excelency the
President of the United States of America
upon the occasion of the anspieious jubilee
of your Holiness entrance 10 the sacred
priesthood 1t is tribute paid your Holi-
ness by the ruler of sixty millions of free
men, ruler elected by them, who feels deep
ly the supreme responsibility Of his exalted
station. his dependence upon Gods prudence,
and who has the wisdom and fortitude
TO discharge faithfully and conscientiously
all the important duties devolving upon
him. He is a ruler respected by the peo-
pie, and one who has publicly declared his
solemn conviction that Christianity furnish
es the true permanent basis of real civiliza-
ton and perfect social order; representing
at once moral conquest over the greatest
nations of the earth
This conquest, your Holiness, which re-
ccived respectful recognition from the kings
of the world receives through the most
worthy President the tribute of free and
independent people Of the freest largest
and most progressive people. They are
naturally Christian, brave, just and generous
and will be in the future as in the past his
tory Of the nation. In the American Repub-
lie the Catholic Church is free to act and 10
carry out lis sacred and beneficial mission
for the human race by the fundamental right
of constitutional guarantee, as demonstrated
in this volume, the appropriate gift of the
President. In the United States the Catholic
Church is entirely free from State dominion.
The liberty is all she requires. In her his
tory the United States has clearly proved
that ignorance Of the real doctrines of the
church and hereditary prejudice. that great
obstacle TO progress, are gradually disap-
pearing, and that Catholics and non-Catho-
are coming To understand each other. We
beg of you then, Holy father, bless the
young Republic that has achieved so much
in a single century bless the land discover
ed by your sanity compatriot, Columbus
bless the wise and Manly President of the
United States.
The members Of the delegation, kneeling
before the Pope, received the Apostolic ben
ediction for themselves and for their people
DR.. O'Connell, secretary of the American
College, presented the album to the Pope and
translated the Presidents dedication. The
Pope listened with the utmost satisfaction,
examined the gift carefully and expressed
his admiration for the exquisite taste and
neatness OF its execution. It was an especial
pleasure, he said, to receive copy of the
Constitution of the United States. The Pope
in the course of lis reply said
As Archbishop you enjoy there perfect
freedom. That freedom, we admit is highly
beneficial to the spread of religion. As the
head of the Church owe my duty, love and
solicitude to every part of the Church, but
toward America I bear especial love. Tie
care Of your nation is great Your govern
ment is free, Your future full of hope
Your President commands my highest ad
miration. Hence this offering which have
received to-day has truly touched my heart
1t affords me pleasure TO pour forth through
you TO your President and 10 your great
country my most profound sense of appreci-
alton and gratitude. In conclusion, grant
you my blessing, and ask that of yourself
and of the President of your country.