Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1893-09-07
GIBBONS ON SCHOOLS.
The Cardinal Makes the Opening ADDRESS
at the Catholic Congress.


hall cf Columbus in the art palace on
the lake front. The occasion was the
initial session of the Catholic congress,
the first national gathering OF the lay
men Of that faith since the APP
pointment of papal delegate 10
the United States. Interest was
on tip-toe as the audience and
delegates. numbering far up in thous-
ands crowded in. filling nearly every
inch of space. Sensational develop
ments regarding the school question
and the alleged opposition to Delegate
Satolli's mission were eagerly AWAITED
and little attention given to the yell
low and white streamers, the
papal colors, mingling all over
the stars and stripes, or to
the bronze busts of Cardinals Newman
and Manning on either side. The 1eel-
ing of suppressed excitement was par
ticularly noticeable when IN the pre-
liminarv addresses Archbishop teehan,
who is a warm personal friend of Arch
bishop Corrigan, gave warning against
the utterance of word in the congress
to wound or offend the Catholic science,
as he put it, A similar MANIFESTATION
was noticeable when Cardinal Gibbons,
whose friendship for Archbishop Ire
land is widely known. put forth sol
emn caution to the delegates to avoid
personalities and be restrained by char
ikty.
1t was brilliant scene when Cardi-
nal Gibbons, attired IN his scarlet
robes, entered with Secretary Onahan,
followed by Archbishops Feehan, OF
Chicago, and Ryan, OF Philadelphia: IN
full purple. Just back Of them. IN
1ai
Ireland, his strong features easily notice
able in group of other distinguished
prelates, each of whom, however, eX-
cept him, wore some mark of eccleslas-
teal dignity. After addresses of well
come by Archbishop Feehan, Presi-
dent Bonney, of the Worlds congress
and auxiliary, and Thomas B. Bryan,
who was the special envoy OF the
United States and Worlds Fair to Pope
Leo in behalf of the exposition, Cardi-
nal Gibbons made the opening address
to the congress. lie said:
What al inspiring spectacle is this
Whether consider the magnitude of your
numbers, or your representative character
for you represent almost every state and
diocese and city Of the Union-or whether
contemplate the intelligence that beams on
you faces, | cannot but eXclalm: This is a
sight we'll calculated to bring Joy and glad
ness to the heart of American Catholics
During the past four months millions ofvis-
itors have come from all parts Of the United
States-nay, from every quarter OF the globe
to contemplate on the exposition grounds
the wonderful works of man. They knew
not which to admire more-the colors and
dimensions of the buildings, or their rare
architectural beauty. or the treasures OF art
Which they contained. The Baskets and
gems We're we'll worthy OF the 18th century,
worthy of the nations that brought them,
of ind ta) 10 oft
go. No longer the windy city, no longer
the porkopolis, let us christen her with an
other maine; Thaumatopolis, the city Of
wonders, the city Of miracles.
But while other visitors have come to
contemplate with admiration the wonder
full works of man, with the image Of man
stamped upon them, you have come here to
contemplate man himscl-the most
wonderful work of God, with the
ass of G 5dv stsmp Mh, upon h in:
accomplished in the material world. You
are to consider what man can accomplish
in the almost boundless posi- bilities Of his
spiritual and intellectual nature. You will
take counsel together to consider the best
means for promoting the religious and
moral, the social and economic well-being
of your fellow citizens.
It is true indeed that your deliberations
will not be stamped with the authority OF
legislative enactments like the proceedings
council. Nevertheless they will go tar
towards enlightening public opinion and
moulding and shaping public thought on
the great religious, moral and social ques-
tons of the day.
When | look into your earnest and intell-
gent faces. I am almost deferred from i'm
parting to you any words of adm onition.
But | may be pardoned for giving you a
word of advice. In all your discussions be
ever mindful Of the golden say
ing Of ST. o, VINCENT du5 heFins; etdt
IN omnibus caritas In essentials, unity; IN
doubtful THINGS liberty; IN alt things cholity
Happily for you, children of the church.
you have nothing to discuss in the matters
of faith for your faith is fixed and deter
not improve on the creed of Him who is
''the way, the truth, and the life"
But between the calm and luminous re-
gion Of faith and the dark, chaotic region of
error there lies vast field for free discus
sion. should be very sorry that any mem
cumscribe this free space by erecting his lit
tie fence of ipse dirits, and saying to all 9th
ers: lam sir oracle; thus far you shall
come and no farther.''
The Cardinal continuing urged thatall
the proceedings be marked by courtesy
and charity and by spirit of Christian
forebearance toward each other, never
uescenulng 10 personalities. lie added:
1.-THE editice Of moral and social i'm
provement which you aim to build can
never be erected on the ruins of charity.
Perhaps the best model of courtly dig
nifty and courtesy that I could set before
you is the Hon. William E. Gladstone,
the grand old man." The reference to
Gladstone evoked tumultuous applause.
In conclusion, Cardinal Gibbons said:
God grant chat our fondest anticipa-
tons of your labors may be realized,
and that the invocation to-day Of the
divine blessing, which is so full of hope
may be crowned at the end of your
sessions by a TIE Deum full of iov and
gratitude for the success of this conven-
ton"
A message from Pone Leo wasurnod