The Irish standard., 1893-01-07

ing to the multitude who will visit ii
during the coming year. If it is to lead
to good results" he Gays, ut must exer-
cise an intellectual and moral influence
on the millions by whom it will be visited.
During the fair Chicago should b
cleaner than it ever has been, and its
moral atmosphere should be purer." He
then refers to the Paris exposition and
says that the Worlds Fair managers
must refuse to be guided by French
standards, in the art exhibit at least, and
in the character of the amusements they
offer visitors. "The Paris exposition, :
be continues, twas source Of corruption
in these two matters. Many OF the pant
ings were st to be hung only in temple
of Venus, and the lasclvious dances which
we're performed every day in the theatre
on the grounds could be tolerated only
among people given over to the " DE-
ship Of the goddess Lubricity. Art
ceases to be art when it becomes cynical
and proaigate, when it appeals to sensual
instinct and not to the soul.' He would
permit mono Of the paintings Of certain
French school to be, exhibited as they
would be an insult to, every pure woman,
and nothing should be displayed which q
true man may not stand without blush
ing by the side of his mother or sister.
The great weight OF enlightened opinion
favors the Sunday opening Of the fair,
but If the laborers with their wives
and daughters are to be invited to
inspect paintings and dances which
cannot be seen except in the low
haunts of debauohery, he believes
it is better that the gates OF the
exposition be closed on Sunday and
every other day OF the week. Ooservant
persons easily perceive that the danger
which threations our national life is not
drunkenness but sexual immortality. aud
therefore he would urge the managers
to exclude everything calculated to lead
to pruriency in the minds of visitors. If
the exposition leaves the people less
moral, less chaete, if it lead deeper into
what Huxley calls the rank and steam
ing valleys OF sense, then, though it
should bring billions of money, the
Bishop says there will be a hopeless loss.
Our Denver contemporary gives a
lengthy quotation from review of Ores
tes A. Brownson on the "Life Of Arch
bishop Spalding," written by the Peoria
prelate, in which the distinguished re-
viewer pays grand tribute to the scho-
larship and literary style of it's author.
The diocese OF Peoria has grown prodigi-
ously since Bishop Spalding assumed
charge of it, and has to-day 100000 Cath
olics, $50 churches, so schools and aca-
denies, hospitals, two orphan asylums
and prosperous college. His executive
ability is of the first order and as fiaan-
cier he is said to rival his warm personal
friend, Archbishop Ireland. These two
giants of the American Church were as.
ISOLATED in the Catholic colonization
scheme, and while one purchased whole
counties in Nebraska, the other founded
the Minnesota colonies which provided
homes for immigrants and the needy
Catholics of the Eastern cities.
On the question Of the appointment Of
a papal nuncio in this country, Bishop
Spalding was very outspoken and OPP
posed it on the ground of ''Home Rule
in Church affairs. That expression o.
his may interfere with his promotion t.
the See of st. Louis, but whether he b.
appointed to succeed Archbishop Ken
rick or be permitted to pursue in peace
his life of usefulness in Peoria, Bishop
Spalding is always certain of exercising
benign influence on his fellow citizens
whether in his own denomination or out
side it's pale. His principal worke arr
the "Life of Archbishop Spalding," "Es
says and Reviews" Education and tn.
High Life" and Lectures and Dis
courses He has the faculty of neve,
repeating himself in his writings and is {
frequent contributor in prose and verse
to the best magazines and reviews.