The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-04-19
POPE TO PRESIDENT.

Pope Leo has sent letter Of the most
cordial character to PresidentC Cleveland,
and thanking him for the present of a
copy of the Constitution of the United
States. sent by Mr.. Cleveland to the
Pontiff on the occasion of the latter's
sacerdOtal jubilee last January. The
communication was handed the Presi-
dent Tuesday morning by Cardinal Glib
buns, who made a special call at the
White House for that purpose. The
cardinal was alone. Their meeting was
exceedingly pleasant. The surprise
President that it was his distinguished
honor to convey to him a letter from
Pope Leo, which contained the high
estimate the head of the Roman Catholic
Church had of the gift sent him, and his
warm thanks to the donor for such
thoughtful remembrance.
The epistle was in Latin. The con-
tents were translated and read by the
Cardinal for the President. The epistle
was as follows:
To Our Beloved Son. James Gibbons
Cardinal Priest of the Holy Roman
Church, Archbishop Of Baltimore
Well beloved son, health and the apos
tolic bcnedlctlOn
Among he countless congratulations
which we have received from all parts
of the world upon the occasion of the
fiitieth anniversary of our elevation to
the priesthood, we have, as was natural,
act most store by the evidence of cOur-
tesey and regard sent by the rulers OF
the nations. For by these marks Of
their good will toward the head of the
church, they mqnfest-and this we ar
IDENTITY desire-their kindly disposition
toward their Catholic subjects. Since,
then, the ilustrious President of the
United States has, through you, our well
beloved son. seen fit to exhibit a like
courtesy. accompanying the expression
of the same with the gift of superb
CODY OF the Constitution Of that most
powerful Republic. He has, in so doing,
afforded us a most pscullac pleasure and
satisfaction, and, moreover, "a 1t is hit
ting that we should return to his excel
lencv the expression of our gratitude we
commit the discharge of that duty to
you both on account of your exalted
rank in the hierarchy OF the Republic,
and the personal esteem in which his
excellency holds you. In fulfilling this
duty we desire that you should assure
the President of our admiration for the
Constitution Of the United States, not
only because it has enabled industrious
and enterprisiug citizens to obtain so
highly degree of prosperity, but, also,
because under its protection your Cath
nlic countrymen have enjoyed liberty
which has so confesedIy promo ed the
astonishing growth of their religion in
the past and will, we trust, enable it in
the future to be OF the highest advantage
to the civil order as well.
You will be pleased TO add that we
will pour forth fervent prayers to God
for your country's constant advance in
glory and prosperity, and for the health
and happiness of the President and his
worthy household Finally to you, be
loved son, and to the faithful entrusted
to your pastoral care, we lovingly in the
Lord impart our apostolic benedlction.
Given at Rome, at St. Peters, the
fourth day of February IN the year of
our Lord, 1888, and the tenth of our
pOntificate.
(Sgned) Pope LEO XIII.