The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1890-04-22
THE ROMAN PONTIFF.
He Very Graciously Accords an
Interview, in Which
HE EXPRESSES HIS VIEWS
Upon Moral and Social Matters-His Regard
for America and her Institutions
The Worlds Needs.
Especial to THE HERALD Examiner Dispatch i

XIII to-day accorded the Herald CORRESPONDENT
special private audience, and consented to the
publication of his utteranceS. This is an I'M
paralleled event in the Vaticans history. and
indicates not only profound desire on tie part
OF the pontiff to win the confidence and esteem
OF the American people, regardless of sects, but
his faith in the fairness and dignity of modern
Journalism. The governments of Europe have
practically confessed at Berlin that they can do
little to check the onward sweep of the social
lava that threatens the peace of the nations.
me Pope now declares that religion can and
Will restore tranquility to the world.
Early in the morning l received from one of
the papal chambermaids Il document informing
the HeFdtd that the special audience would be
at IL o'clock to-day. DR.. Refeker, vice-rector of
the American college, was named to &C
company me. Long before the hour we were
driven to the Vatican. No man can make that
Journey from the ponderous bronze doors of the
Vatican into the presence OF the sovereign
whom 250,0OO,000 of people hail as the vice
gerent of heaven and earth without being
thrilled from head 10 foot. | care not whether
ne be Protestant, Catholic or pagan; whether he
adores the Pope as the infallible vicar of Christ
or regards him simply as the head of a uni
versal school, he is bound to be moved by the
soiemnity and suSgeslveness of his surround
ngS. To get to this sovereign of
sorS have turned sceptres to dus t
and blotted out Kingdoms L passed the
historic portal IhaI looks out upon wide square
of ST. Peters. Here were grouped a squad of
Swiss guards in their brilliant red yellow and
black costumes, designed by Michael Angelo
over three hundred years ago. Going along the
royal staircase that leads to the Sistine chapel
and turning by flight of venerable stairs to the
right, was Saluted by the papal gen d armes
at the entrance of the open court yard of St
Damascus. which is fianlled by the corridors
ana glorlhed by the genius of Rafael glinting
colorS showing here and there through the
windows. In one corner of the sunny court
stood cardinal S carriage monsignor in DUR
pie SILK, rustled,by and pigeon wheeled in alarm
through the air as the great chimes began to
strike the hour Leaning on his halberd, a
picturesque sentry guarded the door of another
immense marble stairway on the opposite side
OF the Square. This led to the hall of St Glenn
ent, spacious room whose ceilings and walls
are marvels of decorative art.
Here figures OF Justice, Mercy, Religion and
Charity looked upon the Pope's soldiers sprawl
ing comfortably on a wooden bench in the
corner their gllttering halberdS leaning against
the wall. There was ringing command by
some invisible officer and the next instant the
row Oh req ana black guards stood erect saluting
as a stately cardinal passed. In the next cham
Der we were received by an attendant clad in
crimson silk and knee breeches at the outer
chamber of the Popes apartments. Through
one gorgeous room after another we were con
Quoted among historic tapestries and princely
trappings until we reached the throne room.
where we sat until his holiness was ready to re-
ceiYe US.
The great golden throne under the canonv
was presented to the Pope by the workingmen
OF Rome On the apex are the keys of St. Peter
ana a triple crown surmounting the azure shield
OF the Pecci family, with its cypress tree and
silver bar. The Pope is proud to sit upon the
throne given him by the toilers of his own coun-
try. A chamberlain in purple silk preceded me
INTO the presence OF the august head of the
Christian world. There behind all this pomp
ana ceremony sat gentle old man with a sweet
face and the SaddeSt eyes that ever looked out
of human head. The Pope sat in chair of
ID CT -
him was the figure of the Virgin and at the right
small throne. 1t was a presence at once ap-
peallng and majestic AS we advanced to salute
the Pope he held out a thin, white hand upon
which cleaned an emerald apostolic ring and
babe us be seated beside him.
The stories about his weakness are absurd
Inere was surprising vigor in his gesture and
his voice was clear and unshaken as he smoke
of America 81 have a claim upon the Ameri-
cans for their respect, he said with his kindly
eyes, because l love them and love their
country. have great tenderness for those
VINO live IN that land, Protestants and all
Under their constitution religion has perfect
liberty and is growing power Where the
church Is free 1t will increase and bless it, 1
love the Americans for Their frank, open, IN
affected character and for the respect which
they pay the Christian morals
1t pleaSes me to say this through the Herald
the worlds great international Journal and it
represents so much. The press and the church
should be together in the work of the elevation
of mankind. The American Journalism alone
should be amiable and benevolent toward me
because my only desire is to use my power for
the good OF the whole people Protestant and
Catholic alike, and to increase their prosperity
and happiness. have no other aim on earth
than to benefit them, and l will never do any
thing that is not for tn ir good Journalism Is
now very powerful, and it should help me spread
the spirit OF religion and charity, and teach
sound morality"
His holiness asked how the Protestant part of
America received his utterances and was as
sured that the people without respect to partic-
ular churches listened with deep respect and
to his appeals for more charitable
and unselfsh spirit in society.
Il feel sure that it is SOL said the Pope. ~
want ProteStantS as well as Catholics to es
TEEN me. They may all be sure that [ have
very deep ana real affection for them. In
America the vicar Of Christ is respected but not
always in Europe Here there are IN control
those who have nothing but hatred for the head
OF the Christian world and offer insults to the
holy see. The enemies of God who occupy hiph
places desire not only to offend the person of the
molly see, but utterly 10 break down the influence
OF religion, diSorganiZe and obliterate the church
and to =. overthrow the whole system
of morality upon which civilization rests
These are times of social unrest and impending
disorder. There is no power that can deal with
Anarchism, Socialism and discomfort but,organ-
lzeo reIglon winch VIII restore true morality to
society. The result of the efforts which have
been made to throw aside Christianity and live
without it can be seen in the present condition
of discomfort disorder, hatred and pro-
bring about change and, while will labor to
relieve the world of this terrible confusion. the
suffering and helplessness of the working peo-
pie are sources of great anxiety and grief TO me-
Their troubles have been largely due to the en-
emes OF Christian morality, who want to see
Christian history ended and return to Pagan
llfe. There are two things in the world that
need special attention-slayerv and the social
questions. To abolish slavery I have estab-
ished colleges and am sending missionaries tn
Africa, and wherever men are held in bond
age. The true way to free them is to
educate and chriStianiZe them. The enlirhtened
many cannot be enSlaved. For that reason I
shall devote the energies of the church to the
spread of knowledge among poor sayages.
humanity must aid me to teach these ,lnfor-
Inmates and save them from slavery.
The social question can only be solved by in
.reaSlnS the morality of the world While
lrlstian morals governed there was no such
he efforts to destroy religion began the evils
which are agitating society. Social troubles
,annot be cured unless mankind comes back to |
he same principles. But if the foes of Tesus
Jhrist and his church continue to attack and
evlle the religion which teaches correct morals
ma has civilized the world these disorders will
Increase and overwhelm them
The governments of the various nations !
must do their work and must do mine. Their
work Is local and particular, such as the en- |
orcement of the laws of labor or such amelior- |
lung measures as seem wise. But my work is |
ne mead OF ChriStendom must be universal and |
IN different plan. II is for the church to chris
ianize the world and teach morality and chart |
y. The moral condition of both the working |
nan and his employer must be raised ] in, |
tend to have a committee formed in every do |
eSe In the world. Each committee will have n /
bishop at its head and will consist either of |
vorkingmen or those who sympathize and /
ssoclate with them. On fast days and when
yer there is rest from labor. these committees
vii call the toilcrs together and discuss their
uties and teach and inspire them with true
morality. Sound rules of life must be founded |
N religion"
His holiness spoke with emotion about his