Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-09-10
CARDINAL GIBBONS ABROAD.
Recent Observations OF His Emf
ncucP I'm EurOpp.

Baltimore special of Sunday says:
Cardinal Gibbons to-day delivered ser
mon upon the result of his observations
during his recent trip TO Europe.
The first subject which naturally oc-
ours 10 me-" said the Cardinal, regards
my several visits 10 the Pope. Repre-
sent 10 yourself a man In his seth year,
pale and cmaciatcd. with the pallOr al
most of death upon him, and this pallor
intensified by the white CassOck and 2u-
Ghetto, which he nabitUally wears. HIS
body is also more bent than II 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 luminous; his memory Is
most tenacious, which enables him 10 re-
call events accurately which occurred
eight years ago. He has also an aston
ishing power Of physical endurance,
which enables him 10 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 sub
iect TO another. He is remarkably
familiar with the public events OF the
day.
"The holy father naturally rejoices at
States, and takes q deep interest in oar
political and social Institutions, and ad-
mires our republic, as we have authority
without despotism, and liberty without
license. and where our strength lies in
the intelligence and patriotism OF our
people. For eighteen years the Pope has
lived within the walls Of the Vatican,
except when he takes some recreation IN
the Vatican gardens. He sometimes re-
tires 10 these gardens and lives In the
summer house during the heated
term"
The Cardinal here drew a brief COM
harrison between the French Government
and that Of the United States, with re-
gard 10 the presence of religion In oil
branches of our government, and the
absence OF IT I'm that OF France. But
he added, Il am happy 10 say that the
spirit Of religion is stu deeply rooted In
the great mass Of the French people.
Contrasting the religious liberty which
prevails in the United States with the
lack of II In certain European countries
the speaker cited instances OF civil espoih-
age over religious institutions ana
added: 49,,
THANK God. we enjoy in this country
the arnplest liberty Of worship and free
dom Of conscience. We have a fair neld
and no fayOrites." 49,
Relative 20 the government OF the
people." ne continued, I'm continental bo-
rope the taxes are enormously hefVy'
and are most minute and searching III
their application. The reason Tor thIs
is obvious. The European Powers nave
immense standing armies, when are
dnlin on the material, moral ana ihuus-
trial resources. We have no large army
(unless we consider as such our srdhu
army OF pensioners, whose claims Tor
their patriotic service VIII expire some
time IN the next century,. We nave no
formidable or threatening neighDors h'
our door The day that a monarchy
would establish IN close proximity To us
on the American Continent would De the
beginning OF our troubles
The speaker admonished his hearers nor
10 imagine from his remarks that the
masses in Europe are poor, miserable I'M
happy, and disconnected on the con
trary. he found the people comfortably
clad and happy and cOntented, in spite oi
the heavy burden OF taxation. one reason
for this. IN the Cardinals opinion, Ii Inc
fact that the agricultural districts nave
not been abandoned for the cities. Ihe
poopIe Of the agricultural districts.' ne
exclaimed ARE not yet infected Win the
foyer that burns In the hearts OF our
farmer. OF hurrying from the country 70
the city and Fastening 10 get rich. inns
il a serious misfortune with us. our
farmers are abandoning the lands for inc
towns. -
I'm making these comparisons between