The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-09-05

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at premium to-day in the great hall Of
oolumr Us in the art palace on the lake
front. The occasion was the initial
session Of the Catholic Congress, the
tirst national gathering OF the laymen
Of that faith since the appointment Of a
papal delegate to the United States.
Interest was on tip.toe as the audience
and delegates, numbering far up in the
thousands, crowded in, filling nearly
every inch Of space. Sensational de-
velopments regarding the school ques-
ton and the alleged opposition to Dele
gate satollps mission were eagerly
awaited, and little attention given to
the papal yellow mingling over the
stage with the stars and stripes, or to
the bronze buats of Cardinals Newman
and Manning on either aide, The feel
ing Of suppressed excitement was par
ticularly noticeable when, in the pre-
'liminary address Archbishop Feehan,
who is warm personal friend OF ARCH
bishop Corrigan, gave warning against
the utterance Of word in the congress
to wound or offend the Catholic con-
science, Us he put it.
A similar manifestation was notice
able when Cardinal Gibbons, whose
friendship for Archbishop Ireland is
widely known, put forth solemn eau
tion to the delegates TO avoid PERSONAL.
ties and be restrained by charity. It
was a brilliant scene when Cardinal
Gibbons, attired in his scarlet robes,
entered with Secretary 0nahan and
followed Archbishops Feehan, of Chi
cago. and Ryan, OF Philadelphia, in full
purple. Just back of them, in plain
civilian attire, was Archbishop Ireland,
his strong features easily noticeable in
agroup Of other distinguished prelates,
each OF whom, however, except him,
wore some mark Of ecclesiastical dignity.
After addresses Of welcome by Arch.
bishop Feehan, President Bonney, OF
the worlds congress and auxiliary, and
Hon. Thomas B. Bryan, who was the
special envoy Of the United States gov
ernment and Worlds Fair to Pope Leo
in behalf Of the exposition, Cardinal
Gibbons made tho opening address to
the congress:
CARDINAL GIBBONS ADDRESS.
Cardinal Gibbons said: "What an In
spring spectacle is this. Whether j
consider the magnitude of your NUM-
bers or your representative character
for Won represent almost every state
and diocese aud city Of the union-or
whether I contemplate the intelligence
that beams on your faces, cannot but
excIaim: This ia a sight well calculated
to bring 10y and gladness to the hearts
OF American Catholics.
"During the past four months mil-
lions OF visitors have come from all
parts OF the United States, nay from
every quarter OF the globe, to contem-
plate on the exposition grounds the
wonderful works Of men. They knew
not which to admire more-the colossal
dimensions OF the buildings or their
architectural beauty, or the treasures
Of art which they contained. The
caskets and the gems were we'll worthy
OF the nineteenth century, worthy the
nations that brought them, worthy the
indomitable spirit OF Chicago. No
longer the Windy City, no longer Pork
opolis; let us christen herwit another
name: Thaumatopolis, the city OF won
ders, the city of miracles.
"But while other visitors have come
to contemplate with admiration the
wonderful works Of man, with the
image of man stamped upon them, you
have come here to contemplate man
himself-the most wonderful work Of
God, with the image of God stamped
upon him. Others are studying what
man has accomplished in the material
world. You are to consider what man
can accomplish in the almost boundless
possibilities of his spiritual aud intel
lectual 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.
ut is true, indeed, that your deliber-
tioDs will not be stamped with the au-
thority Of legislative enactments like the
proceedings Of Congress and the DEGREES
of national conpcil. Nevertheless
they will go far towards enlightentng
public opinion and moulding and shap-
ing public thought on the great relig-
ious, moral and social questions Of the
couNsE1s HARMONY.
"When Flock into your earnest and
intellectual faces am almost deferred
from imparting to you any words Of ad-
nonition. But I may be pardoned for
giving you word Of advice. In all
your discussion be ever mindful Of the
golden saying Of St. Vincent Lerins: In
ftcessariis uaflds, IN dttbiis tbertdS, IN ons-
ntbus caritaJ-in essentials, unity; in
doubtful things, liberty; in all things,
charity. IL,
"Happily for you, children OF the
church, you have nothing to discuss In
the matter Of faith, for your faith is
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