Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-12-27
BLESSED BY THG POPB.
The Officers of the Cruiser Detroit
Entertained in Rome.
RECEIVED IN THE THRONE ROOM
Of the Vatican-The American
officers Presented By Monsig-
more O'Connell - The Pope's
Gracious Words-The Dinner
Served Later Was Notable
Event. ~

ROME, December 26.-The Pope at
noon to-day, In the throne room OF the
Vatican, received the officers OF the
United States cruiser Detroit, which
recently arrived at Naples with the
Vatican relics exhibited at the Worlds
Fair in Chicago. Among the officers
present at the reception were Com
mander Newell, Lieuts. Rogers and
Marshall, the chief engineer Of the De-
troit. surgeon and paymaster, Ensigns
Evans and Blskely, the assistant en-
gineer and Cadet Higgins. The Amer
lean officers were presented by Mgr.
0'ConnelI, who expressed in their name
and in the name OF President Cleveland
thanks for the papal participation in
the Chicago Exposition.
His Holiness replied 10 terms OF great
affection and praised the progress, ac-
tivity and liberty of the United States.
The audience lasted half an hour and at
its conclusion all the officers went to
Cardinal Rampolla, papal secretay OF
state, and presented their compliments
to him. Later the officers dined at the
American College. The facade OF that
building and its dining hall were decor
ated with the stars and stripes. Among
those present at the dinner were the
U. S. Ambassador, MacVesgh; II. r.
Whitehouse, secretary OF legation: u.
s. Naval Attache Hardin and the Rev.
DR.. Riordan.
The speech which the Pope made TO
the American officers to-day was dellv-
cred in quite familiar, pleasant man
ner. His Holiness
DISPENSED WITH ALL CEREMONY
and invited the officers to arrange
themselves. in the form OF half circle,
In front Of the throne. Then. speaking
In Italian, which was translated by
Mgr. o. Connell, the Pope said:
II regret my inability TO express In
English how pleased am to receive
you who were entrusted by the Ameri-
can government to bring back the OBJ
jects which / sent to Chicago. 1t is a
source of great pleasure TO me TO recall
that these relics were received with
honor and were given place Of distinc-
tion. am also highly gratifed to per-
ceiye the care which the American
government took to assure their safe
return.
81 feel a lively satisfaction to see the
progress which America makes daily
among civilized nations which it out
strips, although younger. But, while
l am happy to see your nation advance
ln numerous branches OF civilization,
am more particularly pleased to note
her religious progress. The Catholic
church fourishes, and l desire TO see
her more lourisning still.
"At the same time, though / express
special paternal solicitude towards
American Catholics, yet IL is with pecu-
liar pleasure that | receive you, because
you are Americans. l hope TO publish
in a few weeks an encyciical TO the
Episcopacy of the United States and
Montreal. conveying the sentiments Of
my especial
AFFECTION FOR YOUR COUNTRY.
In the meantime, bless you all and
when you return to your iatherland tell
7our families that the Pope blesses
them with the parental affection which
will accompany you ia the midst of the
fatigues Of the long voyage you are
about 10 undertake.
The last word Of the Pope referred to
the Detroit,s voyage to China.
All the officers ef the Detroit, al
though there was only one Catholic
among them, received the Papal bene-
diction kneellng.
The American officers visited the
Raphael Galleries and the SIstine
Chapel before leaving the Vatican.
At the banquet, In addition TO those
already mentioned. there were present
Lieut.. c. E. Vreeland, United States
Naval Attache here, as well as In Bor-
lin; Messrs. Haywood and Bruistad,
Americans, Papal Chamberlsins Of Cape
and Swords; Col. Fassett. of New York;
Col DooRie and Mrs. Livingston, OF
New York.
After the dinner MgLoDonnslI made
a short speech.
Mr.. MacVeagh replied, pointing out
the superior force Of religion as the in
spirer OF patriotism.
THE UNITED STATES AMBASSADOR
then toasted the American navy, where
upon all the students OF the American
College who were present sang "Colum-
bia. the Gem OF the Ocean"
Vice Consul Wood then made few
remarks. saying that to-day marked the
zenith Of the glory OF ;he American
College.
throughout the dinner the greatest
enthusiasm aud cordisliiy prevailed.