New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-10-22
THE AMERICAN CARDINAL.
HIS PECULIAR PLACE IN TIE HIERARCHY
OF TIE CHURCH HERE.

OF TIE CHURCH HERE.
LIBERAL AND AMERICAN OPINIONS AN INNER
ITANCE FROM HIS PREDECESSORS IN THE
PEiMATE SEE OF BALTIMoRE-HIS RE.
LAIIoN TO THE MISSION OF sA.
1oLLI-HIs FUNCTIONS AS
CARDINAL-THE PossIBIL.
ITY OF HIS SUCCESS.
SION TO THE
CHAIR OF ST.
PETER
occurred here last Wednesday and Thursday to
celebrate the twenty-ifth anniversary Of the
elevation Of Cardinal Gibbons to the episco-
pacy the Catholic Church Of the United States
participated with heartiness and cordiality
which certainly would have availed to no other
prelate.> This not due primarily to the
Cardinals office, exalted as 1t is and sur
rounded with traditions that appeal so much
TO the ina gination. Nor was 1t due to his
native ability, his scholarship or his achieve
ments In none Of these Is he unexcelled
among the hierarchy Of the American Church.
1t Is not claimed for him that his aDihties
are those of a master. that he Is In the highest
sense cultivated, that he has accomplished
deeds Of supreme Importance That which
drew to Baltimore all that Is distinguished IN
the Church. and which impaired common
impulse to liberal and conservative, was the
delightful personality Of the Cardinal. lie was
honored because he is loved and trusted.
Perhaps, however, II his achievements couio
be weighed and measured 1t might be found
~ further
reaching than is usually said. He has been
priest a vicar-general and a bishop lie Is
an archbishop and prince Of the Church. IT Is
not told Of him that he has done any very Won
derful thing; that he has stood as the leader OF
great REFORM as stands the intensely patriotic,
tho strong and courageous Archbishop OF ST
Paul: nor that he has led the hosts OF reaction
as they are now being led by the astute ana
conservative Archbishop Of New-York. He has
conducted no agitations built up no factlons'
insured no schisms But II may we'll be doubted
whether there is another influence in the Church
so potential as his. whether the bathing OF
logicians or the practice Of diplomats has done
one half as much to overcome the oid'time
prejudice Of Protestant America TO the Church
of Rome as has the quiet. gentle life OF THIS
sweet-faced old man. The testimony II mas
borne to the aims and tendencies Of Catholi-
cism IS worth Libraries of books and scores OF
battles.
The Cardinal is q little man. slight and frail
Nothing In his face, figure manner suggests
| the wearer of a dignity which in other times
was accompanied by princely state and vast
| authority. He would have little use for these,
even had they survived the levelling processes
| OF modern times. for he is ESSENTIALLY OF
democratic nature, true believer In the equal
ity Of mankind. and mindful that the virtue OF
humility Is the prime possession Of priest.
| He despises pomp as silly baube-the tribute
| OF a little soul to its own petty vanity-and he
regards power az a thing to be had but not
| often to be exercised as such. When he as
| cended hts throne in the Cathedral On Wednes-
day, arrayed in the magnificent robes Of his
office. conspicuous above all others not only by
their extent and character. but by their deep
red color he looked like to whom dis
| play Of that kind seemed Inappropriate. The
| procession that attended him was such as has
never assembled before in this country to do
| honor to any prelate. In addition TO the SEM
| inarians and monks, there were monsignori
| and many bishops. There were twelve arch
bishops also, also the entire hierarchy OF the
American Church. Each Of these was attended
| by his own court the bishops of his diocese.
| The array as each of the archbishops took his
| position around the altar completing an assem-
| bly, there bewildering In its picturesque
| effect was heightened and rendered most
| imposing when the Pope's Delegate. Archbishop
| Satoli preceding the Cardinal. and each walk
| ing alone assembled to their separate thrones.
| The very loneliness of their figures served TO
| concentrate attention upon them. The Dele
| gate was simply dressed the Cardinal re-
splendently but neither seemed the kind OF man
| on when the apparel OF high dignity sat with
grace. The dignity itself seemed appropriate
| enough to their pale intellectual faces. fine
| But that which makes the entrance of Rich
| eeu in the play effective was wanting In
| the scene about the altar OF the Cathedral
| here This Cardinal looked like a good man.
| not like a great one; like n man whom all must
love not like one whom any need rear; ana IL
| seemed as If, should he put off the red SILK
| beretta and cast aside the red robes. the long
| train and the purple vestments ana STAND
| out only the simple-minded American gentle.
| man he IT, he would be just as deserving OF
| the homage which that vast throng was 'here
| 20 render The pomp and the pageantry the
! candles sparkling like a galaxy OF stars, me
weird and solemn music. the strangely n9 moving
colors around the altar. the sheen OF silvery
| white. the blue and red and gold, were very
| ane. bewildering and grand. but they gaze
| nothing TO Cardinal Gibbons which MS o""
| purc face did not already command
TN. cardinal is counted among the liberals
| in the controversies now agitstng me Ca,hohc
| Church OF America. But MS influence as a
hilton of offence TO those ~ the hieiarchy VINO
| are holding on t. old ideas and old ways. B.-
tween the extremes Of both parties. In fact,
| re stands as a hnrmOnzer, peacenaker. ne
| is we'll fitted to play this part: Tor. having
| none but good motives himself. ne mas non
h,, GOOD Cnes in others and where ag-
| rressive spirit would meet with defiance ana
| , proud one with contempt. he meets with VEN
Grafton His liberal sentiment. however Is an
,nhcritance from the long list of liberal arch
| hishops who have preceded him IT. the occu-
| nancy Of the Primate American See Roman
Catholicism obtained its first foothold In Amer
| len upon the soil Of Maryland. The settlers
there Of the parties OF Lord Baltimore ana ms
a,s for although the religion Of England was
| pr ,te.tant. the Court OF the Stuarts was Cath
Ollie Catholicism here was tolerated. out ths
| onposition 10 II was so strong and the laws
,gains, If 40 easily put into operation That cain
| oiics w,re quick to see that 1t was NOT tneirs
| TO play the part Of prosecutors SO: whne ihey
| nurIcr.d old women In Puritan New England
| for riding in the air on brooms'icks, ana oid
| yentlemcn In Virginia for wearing broad,