The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-08-01

Sutueurhls III 6phut AhlS 0h0 SAAS
Two What tho Feat of
Columbus Meant to the Christian
World.
ROME, July S1.-Thc following arc ex-
tracts from tho letter addressed by Leo
Kill. to the archbishops, aud bishops
OF Spain, Italy and the two Americas
on the subject Of Christopher Colum-
bus: ~
LETTER OF OUR VERY HOLY FATHEI, LEO
XIII, POPE by DIVINE PROVIDENCE.
1oMe Archbishop, and Btshop. cf Spain, Na'y and
OF nc tlpo amer ices, upon ChrttlCph1 Columbus
VENERABLE BRorHERs, GREETING AND
APOSTOLIC BESgDlcTIoN:-From the end
OF the fourth century, since man from
| Lipuria first landed, under the auspices
Of God, on the transatlantic shores,
humanity has been strongly inclined to
celebrate with gratitude the recollec-
tion Of this event. 1t would certainly
not be an easy matter TO find a more
worthy cause to touch their hearts and
to inflamo their zeal. The event in
effect Is such in itself that no other has
seen q grander and moro beautiful one
accomplished by man; as to he who ac-
complished 1t there are few who can be
compared to him in greatness OF soul
and Of genius. BY his work new
world flashed fortl, from the unex-
plored ocean; thousands upon thou
sands OF mortals were returned to tho
common society OF the human race, led
from their barbarous life to peaceful.
ness and civilization, and, which Is OF
much more importance, recalled from
pertiition to eternal life by the bestowal
OF the gifts which Jesus Christ brought
to the world.
Europe, astonished alika bv the nov
city and the prodigiousness OF this un-
expected event, understood little by lit.
tie in due course Of time what she owed
to Columbus, when, by sending colonies
to America, by frequent communica-
tions, by exchange OF services, by the
resources contided TO the seq, and re-
ceiyed In return, there was discovered
an accession OF the most favorable ma
ture possible to the knowledge OF ma
tions, to the reciprocal abundance Of
riches with tho result that the prestige
OF Europe increased enormously.
Therefore, it would not be fitting amid
these numerous testimonials OF honor
and in these concerts OF fluctuations
that tile church should maintain COM
plete silence, since in accordance with
her character and her institution she
will approve and endeavor to favor all
that appears, wherever 1t is tobe worthy
I-of honor and praise. Undoubtedly she
receives particular and supreme honota
to the virtues pre.eminent IN regard to
morality, inasnuch as they are united
To the etcrnal salvation OF souls; never
theless she docs not despise the rest,
neither does she abstain from esteem-
ing them as they deserve. 1t is even
her habitto favor with all her power
and to always have in honor those who
have we'll merited OF human society
and who have passed to posterity. Ger
tainly God is admirable in his saints;
but the ,vcstiges Of his divine virtue
appear as imprinted In those in whom
shines superior force of soul aud mind
for the elevation OF heart and this
spark OF genius could only come from
God their author and protector
It is in addition, an entirely special
reason for which we believe We should
commemorate in grateful spirit this
Immortal event. It is that Columbus
Is one Of US. When one considers with
what motive above all he undertook
the plan OF exploring the dark sea, and
with what object he endeayored to
realize this plan, one cannot doubt that
the Catholic faith superlatively in
spired the enterprise and its execution,
so that by this tito also humanity Is
not a little indebted to tho church.
The enterprise so carried out is ad-
mirably illustrated by the events of
that tinc. In effect Columbus discov-
cred America about the period when q
great tempest was going TO unchain it
self against tho church. Inasmuch as
that II is permitted by the course Of
events to appreciate tho ways Of divine
providence, it really seems that the
man for whom Liguria honors herself
was destined by special plan Of God
TO compensate Catholicism for the in
hurry which II was going to suffer in
Europe.
To call the Indian race 10 Christian
| lity, this was without doubt the mission
and the work OF the church in this mis-
sion commenced from tho beginning,
she continued to fulfill 1t with an uniI-
terrupted course OF charity, and she
still continues IL, having advanced her.
self recently so far as the extremities OF
Patagonia. As TO Columbus, certain as
he was Of tracing out andof preparing
the ways OF the gospel, and fully abb
sorbodin tho thought, caused all his
actions to converge to 1t, not undertake
ing anything OF any kind but under the
shield Of religion and with the escort OF
piety. In order to celebrate worthily,
and In manner suitable to the truth
Of the facts Of the solemn anniversary
Of Columbus, tho sGcredness OF religion
must be united to the splendor
Of tho civil pomp. This is why, as pre-:
viously, at the first announcement OF
the event, public actions Of grace were
rendered to the providence OF the i'm
mortal God, upon the example which
the supreme pontif gave, the same also
now, in celebrating the recollection of
the auspicious event, we esteem; that
we must do as much. We decree to this
effect, that the day Of October l2, or the
following Sunday, II the respective dio-
cesean bishops Judge it to be opportune
| that after the office Of the day, the
| solemn mass Of the very holy trinity
shall be celebrated in the cathedral and
collegiate churches Of Spain, Italy and
tho two Americas. In addition to these
countries, we hope that upon the inttia-
tive OF the bishops as much may be
done in the others for its fitting that
all should concur in celebrating with
piety and gratitude IN event which has
been profitable 70 all.
In tho meanwhile, as pledge Of the
celestial fayors, and In testimony OF our