The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1889-09-07
OUR AMERICAN CARDINAL.
Cardinal Gibbons as Boy, a Young
Man, and a Member Of the College
Of Cardinals.
DISTINGUISHED PRELATE. l'.|:
A Remarkable Career That is Filled .rt
Overhowing With Many Humorous
and Pathetic Incidents.

Overhowing With Many Humorous
and Pathetic Incidents.
Cardinal Gibbons will be the central
figure in the celebration of the estab-
lishment of the Catholic hierarchy, says
a Baltimore letter to the Philadelphia
Inquirer. He is one of the best known
men in Baltimore, and those who have
the pleasure of knowing HIM personally
will not be surprised to hear that not
only is he beloved by the members Of
his own faith but that he also enjoys
the respect and esteem Of the whole
people. His rooms in the archiepiscO-
pal residence are fitted up with almost
painful simplicity, and display to a
great degree the unostentation which is
characteristic of the man. The distin-
guished prelate enjoys the distinction
of being the youngest of the cardinals.
Heretofore it was almost prOverbial
that to become cardinal one must first
become very old. But the present pom
tiff has shown his desire of having
young men assist the venerable princes
of the church in it's temporal govern
ment Cardinal Gibbons is not a young
man i'm the strict sense of the word
for he has already passed his 50th birth
day-but he is young in comparison
with his venerable colleagues in the
college of the cardinals.
Cardinal Gibbons is an American
from the soles of his feet to the crown
of his head. He was born in the city
of Baltimore, July 13, 1884. within a
stones throw Of the place where he now
reigns as the head of the American
church. He was ordained priest,
June 80, 1861.1 He displayed such
marked ability thRt in 1868 he was app-
4 pointed vicar apostolic of North Caro-
lima. Four years later he was installed
as Bishop of Richmond. In 1877 he was
made coadjutor archbishop of Balt;-
more. assuming on the death Of Arch
bishop Bayley, the full archbishopric.
June % of last year the red hat was
conferred on him with imposing cere-
monies in the city of his birth.
In personal appearance the cardinal
is slender and delicate. His features
are clear cut, and his kindly manners
make friends wherever he goes. His
ability as writer ranks high, and no
one that has read the Faith of our
Fathers" can help being charmed with
his STYLE AS a speaker he is always
clear in sentiment and simple in style.
The Faith of our Fathers" is made up
principally of sermons delivered while
on missionary tours IN North Carolina.
Since its publication more than 100, 600
copies have been sold.
Cardinal Gibbons career has been
filled with many humorous and pathetic
incidents. While he was an humble
priest in the small country parish of
Elkridee, near Baltim ore, one Of his
characteristic actions gave him con-
siderable fame. Smallpox broke out
in the village and all the people who
we're able deserted the town just as rats
desert a sinking ship. One old negro
who was at the point Of death was de-
serted by his friends, who left him
neither food nor medicine. Father
Gibbons heard of the case, and, hasten
ing 20 the dying mau's bedside, remain
ed with him unsil the last This was
not all, however, for no one would carry
the corpse to the grave. Father Gibbons
was not long in making up his mind;
he determined to act as undertaken.
So. having obtained a coffin. he placed
the body in it and dragged it to the
grave, performed the last rites of the
church and buried it,
There is another incident in the life
of the cardinal that he rarely touches
on and for the accuracy of which I do.
no. intend to be held responsible. The
story has been told in Baltimore, and is
old enough to be true if it isn't. While
the prelate was bishop Of Richmond he
was defendant in a suit relating to
some church property. When he was
called to the stand the plaintiff g lawyer,
q distinguished legal luminary, who
still shines among legal lights Of Rich
mond. determined to trip him up in
some way.
After number Of vain end oavors to
involve IN the witness in cont tradictions
Ihe struck out 9 plan which he thought
would annoy the bishop. Hequestioued
Bistop ibbons' right to the title OF
Ethe Bishop Of Richmond. The iIafen-