The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1891-07-11
CARDINAL JOHN IRELAND.
How Sweet That Would Sound
to the Ears OF North
Westerners.

to the Ears OF North
Westerners.
M. J. DONNELLY'S COMPLIMENTS
He Pays a Well Merited Tribute t
the Venerable Archbishop Of
St. Paul.
M. j. Donnelly, one of ST. Pahl's
brightest llteratenrs, makes some very
pointed remarks on the probability OF
Archbishop Ireland being raised to the
Cardinalate, which Will be very instruc.
tive for the readers of The IRISH
STANDARD.
For the past year or so there have
been vague rumOrs af0at associating
the name OF Archbishop John Ireland,
of St. Paul, with the cardinalate of the
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 investigate 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 manv statements touch.
Jog his promotion to the cardinalate
But, as the old adage says, whore there
is 80 much smoke there is apt to be
some fire, so from out these haZy con-
lectures tangible and logical conclu-
sion may be arrived at.
1T NAV be remarked at the outset that
it has not been decided as yet at
Rome that the United States Is to have
a second cardinal, and until that point
is settled the question of who the new
cardinal will be is somewhat premature.
Assuming, however, that that part of
the programme is definitely settled, and
the announcement of the event is apt
to be heard at any time, the next CUES
tion that presents itself is: "What
section of the country will the second
cardinal be chosen from?" Not from
the East surely. for that section has
already representative i1 that prince
of Catholic potentates, James. Cardinal
Gibbons. ''There is no question what.
ever in my mind" said 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 cardin |, 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 con
sideration of who is to receive the high
dignity of the Cardinalate.
AS / write these words many great
Catholic churchmen come to mind-the
polished and scholarly Spaulding, the
venerable and beloved Kenr1ck, the
learned and eloquent Feehan-but one
figure stands out 10 giant like propor.
tions, q veritable colossus, and the
others pale into insigni6cance beside
him. Irefer 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 his
character, during the war we find him
attached to one of the Minnesota regi
ments in the capacity Of chaplain
cheering the boys to victory by bis
comforting illustrations. In the
Church he has earned for himself 9
world wide reputation by his espousal
aud advocacy at all times and in all
places Of the principles of total absti.
nence, principles be has continued tC
advance IN the teeth of sentiment and
opposition that would have caused
others OF less sterner stuff than he tc
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 a
distinction without the church as he
has within it, for he is not one who can
content himself to be circumscri0ed
within narrow limits. His name is a
household word in the West, where he
IS esteemed and raverenced by the
whole people, regardless Of creed OF
country. He possesses progressive and
liberal views in 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 mistaken his purpose
or mlsconstrued his motives. Such was
the case during the discussion of the
celebrated Bennett law, which the arch
bishop 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 dlvines Throughout the coun-