St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-04-11
PRAISE FOR TIE POPE.
Archbishop Ireland Speaks
Feelingly OF the Head OF
His Church.
He Regards Leo XIII. as the
Central Figure Of the
Age.
His Encyclicals Indicate That
the Pope Thoroughly I'm
derstands Mankind.
although Past Eighty-T Three,
Many Years Of Life Pre-
dicted for Him.

EoNE, March -. Archbishop Ire
land, of ST. Paul. speaks as follows in
regard 10 Pope Leo XIII: "Ihe letter
Of Leo XIII. 10 the president " The
European commission Of the Chicago
exhibition is an unusual document, and
has surprised churchmen Of the old
school tenacious Of traditions and
forms. The pope is constantly giving
new proof that he is really the I'ontlh
Of his age, understanding thoroughly its
aspiration and methods. while repress-
ing It's evils, encouraging its healthlul
throbblngs, blessing its achievements,
opening up new yistas 70 its hopes. A
few weeks ago he broke with timc-hou-
Orcd customs which, under plea OF
guarding his dignity, confined
his power and in an inter
view with Partisan journalist
addressed. himself 10 the public
press, to the people of France upon the
praVcst political and religious ques-
lions Today he opens his mind IL
most cordial letter 10 nOn-CalhOllc
gentleman, and through him to IA
ton largely uOn-Catholic, bidding God
speed to the gigantic enterprises which,
on the shores OF Lake Michigan, IS 10
5mg together as never before IN the
universe the fruits Of the earth and the
work of the genius and industry Of
man. Leo finds words OF soulful greet
ing for all men whether they be with
out or within The fold, nor is he mind
ful only OF the work to come; all that
tends to the bcttcrDcnt Of the present
life interests him and
Wins 5sI~ Approval.
All this is true religion, OF which Leo
f. the trucst Pontin The letter 10 the
representative of our exhibition Is an
other manifestation Of his high esteem
and warm love for the United States.
When promising 10 give the letter in
the audience accorded to Thomas Il.
Bryan. he had said that he wished it TO
be taken AS a token OF his most friendly
sentiments towards our country.
II could quote numerous Instances,
continued Archbishop Ireland, among
which expressions which / had the
honor Of listening TO myself, as proofs
that there is no other European person
age of note 50 American in his thoughts
and Sympathies as Leo Mi. He sees
IN the United States the perfect bios
soming Of this rational liberty,
which he SO ardently desired
for all nations, the fullest
stature of this modern Democracy
which he understands so well, and TO
which he knows the future of Christian
civilization must assuredly belong. In
deed, | venture without fear of being
mistakes. the assertion that the pope
has derived from the United States if
not a good share of the Democratic in
spratlUnS which he has been sending
out over the world from the Vatican, at
least solid encouragement for them.
In this we can we'll take honor to our
selves. American influences are reach
ing out over ali lands Whatever be
the precise outward form it may wear,
the government of all countries hence
forth will be a government of the peo-
pie, by the people and for the people,
and America will have largely contrib
uted TO the transformation. IL IS no
wonder that
The First Statesman
of Europe studies us attentiVely and
gives us his love. May we be always
worthy of our great mission in the
world, and of the deep interest which is
today is emb' lied in the greatest in
tellectual figure of Europe. One cannot
be long in contact with the person of
Leo, OF have pcrused with any care his
encycllcalS, without being struck with
the acutcneSS of his mind, the depth
ana universally of his knowledge. He
IS impatient II made to listen To verdi
age or lengthy discourses. Put before
hun IDEAS in Il few short and concise
sentences, he grasps at once the thought.
and bis reply IS equally precise and
pregnant with meaning. He embraces
nj glance all the aspects of the case.
lie knows not in himself what narrow
ness of view is, and he detests it in
others.
What was the secret of Ledochow-
skis appointments ~ appointed
he said TO me. Cardinal LedOchowski
perfect of the Propaganda because he is
man of large views. His information
Is most extensive Bishops and diplo-
mats coming TO the pope from all parts
of the world, each one speaking of his
own special business, 90 away, each
one believing that the pope has made
special study of the matter which had
been under discuSsiOn.-A French writer
has lately remarked that Leo knows the
social and political world of today as
We'll as he does the manager of great
newspaper in New York, Paris or Lon
don. He has all the qualities to be the
ponttf of his aye, and he puts them to
profit. His name will 90 down TO his
tory as that of pope who
Understood EEIs Age
and had both the intelligence and cour-
age TO put himself at the helm and
guide it amidst its Stormiest seas. Ours
is Il remarkable period, such one as
appears only at rare intervals IN the life
of humanity. 1t is the brth-time of 4
new order of things, social and political.
A new spirit permeateS the world. The
world OF tomorrow will be very different
from that of yesterday. During the
years OF transition clouds hang above
the horizon, and only the most acute
mind foreSeeS what is coming The
break, too, with the old traditions is
painful to many, and courage is required
in him who with the masters voice
must announce that change. 1t is
fortunate for the church aud for the
whole world that i'll this time of
crisis the Waterman on the tower is
Leo. lie sees across the darkening
ocean spread out before him and he
speaks. His encyclicals have dealt,
one after the other, with the pressing
questions of the age, and each one
comes out from the Vatican more sig
ni6cant in tone than the preceding
Leo's historic personality has been
from the beginning of his pontificate
constantly growing in amplitude and in
intellectual meaning, until today he is
saluted by all, whether adherentS of
the faith or mere observers of thought,
rs the first thinker and teacher in the