Birmingham age-herald., 1895-09-09
OUR BLESSINGS, OUR BANES Cardinal Gibbons Makes Some Interesting Comparisons. LE0'S WONDERFUL VITALITY Sad Indifference of Continental Europe to God
 and HsS "ideuce.
  THEIR EN0RMO BURDEN OF TAXATION
 / : The Common 5S pie Are Happy and Con- tented z, Should Be Proud of
 Past and Hopeful of < the Future.
LE0'S WONDERFUL VITALITY
THEIR tNoRMo| BURDEN OF TAXATION

Baltimore, Sept S.-Cardinal Gibbons talked to large congregation today at the cathedral of impressions made upon him during his recent European trip.
 'The first subject which naturally oc- CUTS to me" said his eminence regards my several visits to the pope. Repre- sent to yourself a man in his Seth year, pale and emaciated, with pallor almost of death upon him. His body is more bent than it was eight or ten years ago. But his eye is bright and penetrating. His voice is strong and sonorous; his intellect is remarkably clear and lumn- ous; his memory is most tenacious He has also an astonishing power of physi- cal endurance, which enables him to hold audiences for several consecutive hours, treating on most important subjects with cardinals and foreign representatives, as well as with private individuals and passing with ease and elasticity of mind from one subject to another. He is re- markedly familiar with the pubic events of the day.
 "The holy father naturally rejoiceS at the religious progress of the United States and takes a deep interest in our political and social institutions and ad- mires our fepublic-where we have au- thority without despotism and liberty without license, and where our strength lies in the intelligence and patriotism of the people. For eight years the pope has lived within the walls of the vatican, except when he takes some recreation in the vatican gardens. He sometimes retires to those gardens and resides in the summer house during the heated term"
 Comparing the governments of the United States and France, regarding their at doc tnx1 aT1 rpli D thought the result was in favor of this country.
 Tt is sad to observe" he said, how the civil authorities of France and of some other Catholic nations of Europe studiousy avoid all reference to God, to His providence and to religion, in their public and official utterances. But l am happy to say that the spirit of religion is still deeply rooted in the great mass of the French people.
 The official union of union and state does not find favor with his eminence. This unien,'' he said, lis regulated by a concordant and the concordant is usually interpreted by the civil authori- ties in their own favor. If clergyman exercises his gospel freedom in criticising the conduct of the government he is lia- ble to have his salary withdrawn, or to be fined and imprisoned or be subjected to other pains and penalties. Thank God we enjoy in this country the amplest liberty of worship and freedom of con- science We have a fair field and no favor.'
 Speaking of the enormously heavy tax ation of the people of Europe for the sup port of the great standing armies the cardinal said: All the powers, no doubt, are most anxious for a general disarma- ment, but none of them are disposed to take the initiative.
 Whatever complaints may be made about taxation among us the burden is approximately light in comparison with the countries of Europe. We have no large standing army, unless we consider as such our grand army of pensioners, whose claims for the patriotic service will expire some time in the next centu- ry. Happily for us we have no entac - ling alliances. We have no fors.fidable or threatening neighbors at our doors.
 The day that monarchy would be established in close proximity to us on the American continent would be the be- ginning of the end of our blessing"
 In the town and villages and country districts of Europe the cardinal said he found the people comfortably clothed, happy and contented. The people of the agricultural districts are not yet affected with the fever that burns in the breasts of our farmers of hurrying from the country to the city and hastening to get rich. This is a serious misfortune with us Another cause for the contentment of the people," he continued. Ties in the religious faith which they profess. In every village and hamlet through which l passed you can see the church occupy ing a central position, with its cross es- cending to the sky. In that interest the people are taught to be content with their condition of life. They learn there that the kingdom of God is not mere eat and drink but justice, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit
 Tn making these comparisons between our European brethren and ourselves it cannot be denied that we have some evils to be redressed. some abuses to correct, and there are some vulnerable spots in our political and social armor." But after making these admissions his emi- hence concluded: We have also reason. to be proud of our nations past and hopeful of our nations future"
 OTIS KINBALL BARRED OUT.