The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-05-12

and that the process has been begun; but
as II takes fifty years at the least TO ac-
eomplish this this generation is not inter-
The pope was satisfied that II any lIv-
ing man had the gift OF prophecy this
oId SAINT was the man, and he has used
the special prediction with regard to him
self both to spur his own powers and 10
confound his opponents.
II was taken for granted by the dipio-
mats who had looked for "a different persO-
nality than Leo that his frail body would
soon sucoumb to the burden of govern-
ment, and they would have another chance
Tor their candidates. The men who hoped
for much from his reign were of the same
opinion. The sneers OF the first and the
entreaties of tho friendly failed to move
Pie made mp his mind to accept the pre-
diction of twenty years reign. lie set
his whole policy to that key. It was pre-
scented 10 h.m that few matters Of inn
portance well handled would be of value
10 the church, while many things Just
begun In the face of death would be use
less. He went on to found a policy which
TOOK in every phase and problem Of present
christianity. His one reply to each OBJ
lection as: II shall live few years more,
long enough TO start this matter we'll"
In this mood he took uD all the great
movements. At every crisis his opponents
were encouraged to hold on In the hope of
his speedy death. He did not die. He was
nerved TO refuse all compromise by the
thought that he had some years yet to
live. When negotiating to bring Bismarck
to Canossa. as the saying is, the chancel.
Tor made a few breaks on the expectation
of his speedy departure. In the same way,
when he checked the enthusiastic German
Catholics in their attack on Bismarck.
flight to heaven.
When he adopted the cause of the de-
mocracy, and declared his intention to
support France, forbidding the French
bishops TO say a word against the re-
public, the monarchists smiled at the
thought that he would not live long
to Fr1tgA D. gn
He lived long enough to prevent the heir
of the Count of Paris from parading as
an official claimant to the French throne
and to let that young man know that
he was not wanted a the papal court:
long enough to aid the republic In two
important crises, and to make It very
ddifticult for his successor to change that
friendly disposition.
Instances without number might be
cited to prove the confidence which the
pope has had in the prophecy. one must
suffice here. 1t is well known that he
is bent on giving the red hat to Dele
gate Satolli before he dies 1t would
not do 10 leave the delegate TO the favor
of the next administration. At any
moment he could raise Mgr. Satolli to
the Sacred College by special brief, and
his friends have urged II on the plea
Of advanced age and debility. Don't trou-
bic yourselves" has been the steady re-
ply of his holiness. Il shall live some
He viii let the delegate get his honors
In the ordinary way, sure that his reign
Will not end until the spring Of 1898 TWEEN
ty years from the time OF his corona
ton. He has told many Of his American
visitors from time to time just how many
years he would live when they wished
him long life. His calculations were al
ways based on the prediction Of Padre
Philippe.
1t remains to be seen whether that pre-
dicton viii be fully verified Yet how
much history has been made by the
clear-sightedness Of the old priest for
there is no doubt that Leo XIII. has be-
gun and carried out schemes of admins
tration and reform which he might never
have attempted but for the prediction
1t remains for his enemies and his ad-
mirers to determine If his independence
on the prediction may be called supersti-
ton