The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-04-11
TIE POPE AND the nEpuBLrc

Tho Letter OF Eco XIII. Fnvoring the Chi
eaeo Expositiou, n Proof or His Sym.
PATTY with Rational Republican Democ-
racy. such ss That or the United states.
ROME, April 5.-Hcre. in the old city OF the
most ancient OF dynasties. tho republican idea
celebrates new triumph every day. Events
secm TO establish by their indisputable author
fly the truth OF my sum mary and fugitive in
dications in regard TO tho transformation OF
which the Pnpacy Is the centre. Tho Liberals
and the Revolutionists formerly blamed the
Pontiffs OF Rome for giving their friendship
and support to kings. courts. and ancient Gov
ernments. Now monarchies and cabinets
accuse tho Vatican OF having espouscd
the cause Of the people and tho republics.
From the genoral point OF view the Pope's lot
ter to Mr.. Bryan. President Of the European
Commission of tho Chicago Exposition. marks
n new outpost in the democratic advance Of tho
Holy Seo and It has attracted tho attention OF
tho diplomatic and religious world As a mat
ter OF fact. this is the first time that Pore has
ever lent himself to such n movement Never
before did tho head OF the Church address
himself directly to tho people through the or
gan of ono Of thor delegates.
The encyclcal to tho French nation
aims first ut tho opiscopate. and Soc
ondly Mt tho Catholics. The letter TO
Mr.. Bryan. like the Sermon on tho Mount. is
n direct appeal to tho people. notwithstanding
that tho people form mixture Of several re-
ligious persuasions. Leo MIL. while modern.
izing the external action OF tho Church. gives
new form to his exhortation. Plus H.. in
q similar case. would have confined his bcne-
diction to the episcopatc aud to tho Bishop of
Chicago. Leo XIII. personally addresses him
self directly to tho whole nation. and blessu3
II from the height Of his genius and his incom-
parable position. This Is an innovation ia hon
or OF the United States. Speaking upon this
subject tho other day n diplomat sail to Inc:
'Therc must DO n profound attraction be-
tween Leo NH. and the United States for the
Pope to adopt u new method Of expressing his
admiration and his love-"
The document really camo from the bottom
OF his heart. Leo MIL. the venerable Gus
todian of an ancient tradition. loves Amor-
cans Just as old men with great hearts
love the young Tho Americans who
have passed through the Bronze Door must
have remarked this liking and preference.
When Mr.. Bryan came to ask tho aid of tho
Holy SEQ in the national undertaking. he
found all doors open. Without discussion and
without preparation. Loo XIII. spoke with all
tho power of his intelligence and all tho
warmth of his nature. which is captivatcd by
all greatness AMI all progress. Tho American
Bishops know better than do tho passionate
interest which tho Pope takes in tho upward
movement OF tho people. Every time that q
question is raised on your sido Of tho ocean.
he inquiries into it. aud asks for detailed
information. All the intuitions of his
mini anil all the prcsentments Of his
heart prompt him to contribute to the
normal and fruitful DEVELOPMENT Of the Amer
icau Church. and tho young republic. To
strengthen tho bonds between religion and
the republic. gradually to reconcile political
and social institutions with the old Catholic
inheritance. to labor for peacc and unity. to
lay aside all stere questions and all danger
Gus rivalries. to avoid everything that divides.
and everything that tends to create obstruc-
tons in tho natural course OF affairs: such is
the harmonious inspiration the living soul Of
all his policy in regard to tho United States.
We find. therefore, that his letter to the
American people rcsem bles the cpistles of st.
Paul to the Corinthians. the Erhesians. tho
early Christians. with the difference only of
time and subjects. Leo XIII. blessos all tho
material progress Of America in the apotheosis
OF her work Of n century. Is not the Chicago
Exposition. like the Paris Exposition. tho
eliminating point. the visible and radi-
ant expression of tho labor of an entire
people? Bossuet said that labor was
prayer. Tho Exposition. therefore. may DO
called the feast Of tho prayer OF centuries
OF an entire nation. And how sublime and
beautiful Is the idea OF associating the most
venerable representative Of religion with these
triumphs OF progress. And how quickly Leo
NH. took up his moral mission. and yielded to
the impulse OF giving his appreciation to the
people and their work. Hence tho homage Of
his admiration for the sterling qualities of the
American race. His praise Is not com
monplacc. No writer ever before dwclt
with such force upon the onward march
Of America: and this approving and
blessing voice Is that OF tho greatest
figure OF the century," as NJ dc Vogue. the
writer Of the Paris Exposition. recently called
Loo NH. What sovereign OF inonarchcal Eu-
rope would presume to use such language?
What State would have granted such dlplo-
ma of futurity and vitality to that advancing
people whom certain European courts look
upon with distrust! call attention to those
facts because they possess u particular olo-
Quence. and honor alike tho great Pope and
the great nation.
But there is something more. This letter to
Mr.. Bryan is specially adapted to tho new
moral. intellectual. and political movement of
Rome havn myself translated and expross-
ed in these columns tho sen imcnt which in
spires and impes tho Pope in new directions.
so that have reason to be pleased with the
coincidence. As u matter of fact. what has
attracted Loo XIII. and all the disintercstcd
elite OF Europe. toward America. Is its polit-
cal form, which is the expression OF its social
and economical form. Europe. exhausted and
Disseminated with her old codes and old doe
tors. turns her eyes toward the future, which
so suggests tho United Statos that Intelligent
minds cannot fail to identify tn. two.
Tho United States is an organized dcmoc-
racy. wearing the republic rs its natural at