New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-10-18
THE CHIEF DOMINICAN.
POLITICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF TIE RECENT
ELECTION.
Rome, October 6.

Rome, OCTOBER o.
The extraordinary interest which has been
aroused not only in ecclesiastical but also in
political circles by the election last week of
new General Of the Order of Dominicans is due
to the fact that the result thereof is considered
as foreshadowing to O great extent the issue OF
the next Papal Conclave. The man who was
deemed likely to be raised to the head of this
order was its Vicar-General, Father Lahore, who,
besides being the Provincial of France, has been
fulfilling the functions Of General of the order
OF Rome since the death of the late Chief Father
larocoa Objections were raised both by the
Italian and German Governments to his election
on the ground of his French nationality, and 1t
was in Difference to these views that the delegates
of the Italian, German, Austrian, Spanish BEL
gian and English provinces formed coalition
and secured the choice Of Father Andrew Frue-
with; the eloquent Provincial of the Austrian
Dominicans 1t is therefore believed that when
the next Papal Conclave takes place the politi-
cal views of the various European Governments
will he taken into consideration by the members,
and that similar coalition may be formed against
any candidate put forward by France. 1t is
necessary specially TO count upon the Italian
Cardinals figuring in the coalition. For no mat
ter how bitter the animosity, real or simulated,
between Church and State at Rome, there is in
the heart of every italian a very bright spark
of patriotism The conflicts between the Vatican
and the Ouirinal are domestic quarrels and there
ia no doubt in the eyes of the foremost statesmen
of Europe that If Italy as q nation were attacked
the clergy of every rank would be heart and soul
i'm sympathy with the temporal Government. IL
seems therefore certain that the successor TO Leo
XIII will be man agreeable below if not above the
surface TO the Italian Government and TO its
allies and friends.
The objections of the Italian Government and of
the Triple Alliance to seeing Frenchman elected
TO the chieftainship of the order of the Domini-
cans, are easy to understand. In the first place,
the General of the Domincans has his residence at
the Vatican and by virtue of his office is also Master
of the PontGcal Household. AS such he is daily
drawn into the councils of His Holiness, and is
thus able to be the power behind the papal throne
The confessor of Leo XIII is Dominican monk,
and the Pope's favorite author, whose works have
formed the guiding star of his entire theological
administration, is St. Thomas Aquinas DomiEi-
can.
Nor are the Dominican General and the Papal
confessor the only influential members of the order
among the immediate encourage OF the Pope. For
Cardinal Zighara the favorite Of His Holiness.
and the man above all others whom he would
wish 70 succeed him, is also Dominican He is
one of those who, like the Pope, is in favor of an
understanding between the Vatican and the Gov
eminent, and is regarded with much favor at the
Ouirnal. He is fond of walking outside the walls
Of Rome and. Intentionally or not, frequently
meets King Humbert and Queen Marguerite out
driving On these occasions he never fails to
remove his hat and to salute them with the most
marked courtesy. Although scarcely sixty years
of age he appears somewhat older. This is due
to his habit of walking about with bowed head
and leaning heavily on q crutch-handed stick
His mouth like that of Leo XIII, Is noteworthy
for its appearance Of strong will and determination
besides which there is the same suspicion of irony
lurking about it's corners. He is noted at the
Vatican for his animosity toward France, q senti-
ment Of which he has given many manifestations.
The Office which he holds at the Vatican is that
of Project and President Of the Congregation of
Studies and such he is supposed TO be the
chief adviser af the Pontin in all matters per-
tanning TO doctrine, dogma and theory. IL elected
TO succeed Leo KILL he will be the fourth Domini-
can monk who has been raised to the Chair OF ST.
Peter Besides giving three POpcs ~ the Catholic
Church. the Dominican order has furnished
eighty-four confcssors TO the monarchs of Spain.
about sixty to the Kings Of Portugal, sixteen to
the Kings OF France, and forty-eight 10 the En-
perors of Austria and Germany This, together
with the fact that some Of the most famous and
most eloquent pulpit orators have worn the Domipi
can habit, may serve to convey an idea OF its infiu
ence--an influence all the more vast because of the
fact that unlike other religious orders it endeavors
to keep abreast Of the progress and enlightenment
Of the age.
Father Andrew Fruewirth. the new head OF the
order Is the youngest General that has ever been
elected being under forty-ive years OF age.
for his pulpi1 eloquence, for his profound theoog
oal I'm all farh ini n rat