The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-09-06
THE CATHOLIC CONGRESS.
A GREAT GATHERING OF NoTABLEs
AT CHICAGO.
Cardinal Gibbons Welcomes the Dele
Entes-A Letter from the Popc-Some
Significant Uttcrances-A Woman Adj
dresses the Congress.

CHICAGO. Sept. Astounding room
was at premium today I'm the great
hail or Columbus I'm 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 appointment
OF papal delegate 20 the United States
Interest was on tip toe as the audience
and delegates. numbering far up In the
thousands. crowded In. nliing nearly
every inch OF space. Sensational de-
velopments regarding the school ques-
ton and the alleged opposition Co Dele
gate Satollie mission were eagerly
awaited and little attention was given 90
the papal yellow and white streamera,
the papal colorH minRling with the stars
Qnd stripes, or 90 the bronze buata OF
Cardinals Newman ana Manning on
either side. The feeling OF suppressed
excitement was particularly noticeable
when, In the preliminary addresses, first
Archbishop Feehan. who ia n warm per-
sonal friend or Archbishop Corrignn.
gave warning against the uttcrance or n
word IN the congress 10 wound or offend
the catholic conscience, as he put a..
A similar manifestation was noticeable
when Cardinal Gibbons, whose friend
ship for Archbishop Ireland II widely
known, put forth solemn caution 20
the delegates 20 avoid personalities and
be restrained by charity.
Cardinal Gibbons Speaks.
II was "A most brilliant scene when
Carolina! Gibbons. attlred In his scarlet
robes. entered with Secretary Onahan.
followed by Archbishops Feohan OF Chi
cago and Ryan OF Philadelphia In
full purple. Just back OF them, I'm plain
civilian attire. was Archbishop Ireland.
his strong features easily noticeable In
"A group OF other distinguished prclatea,
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 auxiliary and the Hon.
Thomas Is Bryan, who was the special
envoy OF the United states government
and the worlds fair 20 Pope Leo In be-
half or the exposition, Cardinal Gibbons
made the opening address 10 the con-
gress.
Cardinal Gibbons said: "What an In
spring spectacle Is thisi Whether | con-
slider the magnitude OF your numbers
or your representative character-for Won
represent almost every state ana do
ccse and city OF the Unlon--or whether
! contemplate the intelligence that beams
on your faces, / cannot but eXclaim,
This IL n sight well calculated 90 bring
Joy and gladness TO the hearts OF Ameri-
can catholics
During the past four months millions
OF visitors have come from all parts OF
the United States, many from every
quarter OF the globe, 90 contemplate on
the exposition grounds the wonderful
works OF man. They knew not which 20
admire more, the colossal dimensions OF
the buildings or their architectural
beauty, or the treasures OF art which
they contain. The caskets and the gems
were well worthy OF the nineteenth CEN
tury, worthy the nations that brought
them, worthy OF the indomnitabie spirit
OF Chicago No longer the Windy city,
no longer Porkopolis. let us chrlsten her
with another name-Thaumatopoiis the
city OF wonders, the city OF miracles.
But while other visitors have come
TO contemplate with admiration the won
dcrful works of man, with tho image
OF man stamped upon them. you have
come here 90 contemplate man himself
the most wonderful work of God with
the image OF God stamped upon him.
Others are studying what man has
accomplished la the natural world. You
are TO consider what man can accom-
plish In the almost boundlcss possibility
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 citi-
zens 10 Is true. indeed. that your DELHI
erationL will not be stamped with the
authority OF legislative enactments like
the proceedings Of congress and the de-
crees Of a national council. Nevertheless
they will 20 far toward enlightening
public opinion and moulding and shaping
public thoughts ON the great religious
and social questions OF the day.
when look into your earnest and In
telligent faces am almost deferred from