The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-07-08
ARCHBISHOP IRELAND.
Sketch Of One of the Most DIsit6S hol pfi
American casllslis P statss n:


For the past year or SO there have
been vague rumors aaoat associating the
name Of Archbishop John Ireland, OF
st. Paul, with the cardinalate Of the
Roman Catholic, church ii America.
These stories have been traced to st.
Louis, Milwaukee, and, indeed, every.
where save the Eternal City itself, and
when thoroughly investigated no def
mite foundation Tor them could be dis
covered. Indeed. the ArchbishQp,leyer
since his elevation to the archepiscopate,
has been kept busy denying the accur
racy OF the many statements touching
his promotion to the cardinalate. But,
as the old adage says, where there is
SO much smoke there is apt to be some
FIRE, SO from out these hazy. .conjertures
some sort of conclusion may bearriyed
ut.
1t may be remarked at the outset that,
it has not been decided yetat Rome that
the United States is to have second
cardinal, and until that point is settled
the question ofiowhOathenew cardinal
will. be is somewhatpremature Assuln-
ing, however, that that part OF the pro-
gramme is definitely settled, and the
announcement of the event is apt to. be
heard ut any time, the next question
that presents itself is: "Wllat section
Of the country will the second cardinal
be chosen from2" Not from the East,
surely, for that section already has a
representative in that prince OF Catho-
lie potentates, James, Cardinal Gibbons.
"There is no question whatever in my
mind" said welkknown Clergyman,
high in the councils Of the church, when
spoken to in the matter, ''that If the
United States Is to have second card
inal the honor will come to the west. "
And this appears to be the consensus OF
opinion of both clergy and laity. This
leads up to the confederation Of who is
to receive the high dignity of the car.
dinalate.
ARCHBISHOP IRELANp's TRAITS.
John Ireland, the present Archbishop
of St. Paul is of Irish descent, but Is q
typical American, and byes the lind Of
his adoption with, an, almost. religious.
fervor. AS bearing testimony to this
trait of his character, during the war
we find him attached to one Of the Min.
nesota regiments in the capacity OF
chaplain, cheering the boys to victory
by his comforting ministrations. In the
church he has earned for himself a
worldwide reputation by his espottsQl
and advocacy at all times and in all
places of the principles OF total 0bstin.
ence,i principles he has continued to adj
vance In the teeth OF a sentiment and
opposition that would have caused 9TH
ers Of less sterner stuff than heto give
up in dismay "God and My Country"
would seem to be his motto and in all
he undertakes, this sentiment is upper
most in his mind.
Archbishop Ireland is a remarkable
man, and one who would have achieved
as wide q distinction without the
Church as he has within it, Tor lie is not
one who can content himself to be cir.
cumscribed within narrow limits. Ills
name is a household word in the West,
where he is esteemed and reverenced
by the whole people, regardless OF creed
or country He possesses progressive
and liberal views in all matters affect
ing the Church and State, andis out.
spoken in giving expression to them.
So true is this that he has often been
roundly denounced by'those even with
in his Church, who have mistaken his
purpose orS niist6nstrdetl HIS motives
Such was the, cgseSdpEing the discussion
Of the celebrated Bennett law, which
the Archbishop expressed himself as
in favor OF with certain notifications,
His stand in this matter called forth
some very bitter criticisms from many
OF the Catholic divines throughout the
country, but lis Rosito b in BID premises
has been GENERALLY Sustained by the
great bulk of the American people,
Catholic and Protestant. He has no
sympathy with those who seek to inject
foreignism into religion or politics, and
it was only a few weeks ago that he
demonstrated the fdith that '@as in him
by openly and courageously denduncing
and attacking the so-called Cahensly
scheme of Matchmaking American Cath
Ollie clergy. There is no cleric in the
United States who occupies larger
share Of the public notice than he, and
his every ptterqnQe is rmade the subject
OF the most careful onstderati9n by all
who are Interested inEood mordls and
good government.
FINE PRESENCE,
In his personality he is most strik-
ing man. Perched on pair Of good,
broad shou]dersathe ipefstructure Of
n robust, powerful frame, Is urge, in
tellcctual head, covered with thick
growth OF dark hair, slightly tinged.with
gray. A good, long beak Of nose, in
dic0tive OF great firmness OF character,
is the most prominent characteristic Of
a face which would make q splendid
model for the sculptor's chlsel. He has
the pleasing Irish blue eye, 20 common
to the Celtic race, u pair OF high chcck-
bones Of the Abraham Lincoln type and
an expansive chin and month. In re.
pose, a thoughtful expression hovcrs
about his courtenGncs, but in convoisa-
ton his faco liSllts up with 4 warm glow
OF animation. 10 one can be In
his company fol any length Of
time and not DO impressed with the
grandeur OF the man. There isl native
charm about his addrsss thatis delight