St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-07-05
A RED HAT IN SIGHT.
The Next One That Is Given
Out Will Go to Archbishop
Ireland.
Why the Pope Is Likely to
Confer This Upon the West
ern PpeIate.
Milestones in the Career Of
the Leader of Northwest
ern Catholics.
His Advocacy at All Times
and Places Of Total Alb
stinence.

Roman Catholic church in America.
These stories have been traced to ST.
Louis, Milwaukee and indeed every
where save the Sanity City itself, and
when thoroughly investigated no def
mite foundation for them could be dis
covered. Indeed, the archbishop, ever
since his elevation to the archiepiScO-
pate, has been kept busy denying the
accuracy of the many statements touch
ing 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 hazyaconjectureS
a tangible and logical conclusion may
be arrived at.
1t may be remarked at the outset that
it has not been decided as yet at Rome
that the United States is to have a Sec
ond cardinal, and until that point is set
tied the question of who the new cardi-
nal will be is somewhat premature. AS
Stunning. however, that that part of the
programme is definitely settled, AMI the
announcement of the event is apt to be
heard at any time. the next question
that presents itself is: what section
of the country will the second car
dinaI be chosen from?" Not from
the East surely, for that sec
ton has already a representative in that
prince of Catholic pOtentateS, James,
Cardinal Gibbons. "There is no aues-
ton whatever in my mind" said a we'll
known clergyman, high in the councils
of the church, when spoken to in the
matter. THAT if the United States is to
have a second cardinal. 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
consideration of who is to receive the
high dignity of
The CardinaIate.
AS I write these words many great
Catholic churchmen come to mind-the
polished and scholarly Spaulding. the
venerable and beloved Kenrick, the
learned and eloquent Feehan-but one
figure stands out in giant-Iike proper
lions, a veritable colossus, and the
others pale into insignificance beside
him. | refer to John Ireland, the pres
ent archbishop of st. Paul and the next
cardinal of the United States. Though
of Irish descent, he is typical Amer
lean, and loves the land of his
adoption With an almost religious
fervor. AS bearing testimony to this
trait of mis- character, during lhe war we
find him attached to one of the Mime
sofa regiments in the capacity or chap
lain. cheering the boys to victory by his
comforting ministratIOns. In the
church he has earned for himself
worldwide reputation by his espOuSal
and advocacy at all times and in all
places of the principles of total abSti-
hence, principles he has continued to adj
vance in the teeth of a sentiment
and opposition that would have
caused others of less sterner stuff than
he to give up in dismay. God and My
Country" would seem to be his motto,
and in all he undertakes this sentiment
is uppermOst in his mind. Archbishop
Ireland is a remarkable man, and one
who would have achieved as wide dis
tlnctiOn without the church as he has
within it, for he is not one who can con-
tent himself to be circumscribed within
narrow limits. His name is household
word in the West. where he is esteemed
and reverenced by the whole people, re-
CARELESS of creed or country. He pos
SeSSes progressive and liberal views III
all matters affecting the
Church and State,
and is outspoken in giving expression
to them. So true is this that he has
often been rOundly denounced by those
even within his church, who have mis-
taken his purpose or miscOnstrued his
motives. He has no sympathy with
those who seek to inject foreign
Ism into religion or politics, and 1t was
only a few weeks ago that he demon
strated the faith that was In
him by openly and courageOusly
denOuncing and attacking the sO-called
Cahensly scheme of Matchmaking Amer
lean Catholic clergy. There is no cleric
in the United States who occupies a
larger share of the public notice than
he. and his every utterance is made the
subject of the most careful cOnsidera-
ton by all who are interested in good
morals and good government.
How He Looks.
In his personality he is most Strik-
ing man. Perched on pair of good,
broad shoulders, the SuperStructure of
a robust, powerful frame, is large, in
teIlectual head, covered with thick
growth of dark hair, slightly tinged
with gray. A good, long beak of
nose, indicative of great frmness
of character, is the most prom
inent characteristic of a face which
would make a splendid model for the
scuIptor'S chiSel. He has the pleasing
Irish blue eye so common to the Celtic
race, a pair of high cheek-boneS of the
Abraham Lincoln type and an expansive
chin and mouth. In repOSe a thought
full expression hO7erS about his coun-
tenance, but in conversation his face
lights I'D with warm glow of anlma-
ton. No one can be in his company for
any length of time and not be
impressed with the grandeur of the
man. There is native charm about
his address that is delightful, and this
is emphasized by number of personal
eccentricities, such as nOdding the
head and the rapid wrlnging of the
hands. He pays little attention TO
dress. his attire being far palmer than
most of his subordinate clergy, and he
still cIings to the Old-faShiOned top
boots which he wears only at the heels
because of popularity of his gait in
walking.
As pulpit speaker he is earnest and
forcible, and he depends for effect more
on the plain stating of facts rather than
dealing in ornate and meaningless gen
eralities. His voice is somewhat harsh
and cultural of late, which mars to some
extent the beauty of his delivery. He
gesticulates freely while speaking, and,
although his gestures are awkward, in
him they appear easy and graceful. The
appointment of a cardinal has more of ID
political than a religious significance,
and that one is named for
The High Dignity
the choice of whom will best promote
the general welfare of church and state
III the particular country which he is 10
represent. A shrewd diplomat is what
is required. not great divine. although
where both qualifications are present so
much the better. For these reasons,
coupled with the almost assured fact
that the red hat will come to the West,
it Is as certain as anything can he that
has not actually occurred, that the next
cardinal of the Roman Catholic church
in Am ri "A will be the distinguished
prela' Archbishop John ireland, of
St. Ill
IN Ia ling of another cardinal for
fl,., T. - Srot,4S will no an aVpnt of