Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1893-10-19
CARDINAL GIBBONS.

luD1iee OF the W LII
Eminence James Cardinal Gibbons,
Archbishop Of that city, whose
first functions as a bishop were
exercised here III North Carolina,
With his residential abode in the
city of Wilmington. The event,
therefore, which will concentrate
the attention OF the whole Catholic
world and draw thousands OF
visitors to the "Monumental City"
tor the occasion, is of peculiar ins
tereet to many in this State and
worthy of appropriate comment.
Cardinal Gibbons is one of the
great men of our country and our
time. What are the elements OF
his greatness, the secrets OF his
success and OF his extraordinary
popularity with all sorts and con-
ditions OF men?
The achievement OF a place OF
national or international power by
q son Of the plain people, is in it,
self an attractive thing to the mus
titude; bat it is a happening which
has long ceased to be a novelty
in the country of Webster, Lincoln,
Cleveland and others.
In snch case, too, one ordinarily
demands in the successful man an
adequate representation Of the
force By which he has scaled the
t%orbidding precipice or tunnelled
the mountain In his path.
This does not reveal itself to the
first glance at Cardinal Gibbons.
One sees a man of medium height,
slender build, and modest bearing,
whose strongest visible character :
istics are asceticiem and gentles
ness.
A conversation follows and one
adds to the characteristics aboves
named-immense and well-used
opportunities for observation.
breadth of mind, human kindliness,
and tact fine and unfailina.
Still another quality-and this
comes ont with the force of a reeves
lation in one's after-thoughts of the
accessible and friendly prelate-
his perfect and sympathetic nnders
standing of the average man. Here
is his greatness and the secret OF
his Gee
The average man is the bulk OF
humanity. The average man in a
democratic country like ours takes
himself seriously, as we'll he may,
with the consciousness OF the power
in his hands. He likes 10 be taken
seriously. He respects himselfaDd
likes TO be respected. He is rather
given to hero-worship. but has, or
the whole, and in the long run, as,
tonishingly good taste in heroes.
Cardinal Gibbons in all biz
deeds and words and works is low
ipgly ruindtul of the needs and the
susceptibilities of the average
man.
There are greater orators in the
American episcopate and priest
hood, yet hardly more than one
who SO uniformly attracts and holds
large audiences; for every hearel
feels that the Cardinal is speaking
to him and for his special need.
Cardinal Gibbons stands high il
the afectionate esteem and conf
dence Of American citizens with,
out distinction Of creed, and nevel
a national event to which he ha
not been invited with which he ant
has not gladly consented to identif,
himsa!f--from the celebration Of tn,
contrary of the American Constitu
ton in Philadelphia in 1887, to tn
opening of the Worlds Columbia
Exposition in Chicago, last aut
umn,
So much for the man as til
secular world sees him. TIL
Catholic see the same qualitie
and the same results; but he see
also the motives which rule tn
man. They are love of God an,
love of humanity.
That Re may do his part toward
the fulflment Of the prayer whic.
Christ put long ago on the lips c
all His followers, "Thy Kingdor
Gomez this man of God is earnest
lyprayerful. selfsdenying, an
laborious,
His apostolic zeal leads him t