Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-10-06

be misleading / deem II my duty 10 state
briefly and clearly the facts Of the case.
ION September 18th / received, through
his Eminence. Cardinal Gibbons. a letter
from our Holy Father. Leo Kill, OF
which the following is translation:
'To our Venerable I-eother, John Joseph
Keane. Bishop Of Ajasso:
Venerable Brother. Health ana ADos-
tollc Benediction.-It is customary that
they who are appointed 10 preside over
Catholic universities should not hold the
Office In perpetuity. This custom has
grown up through wise reasons. and the
Roman pontiffs have ever been careiui
that it should be adhered TO. Since, there
fore, venerable brother you have now
presided for several years over the UNI
versity at Washington. In the frst estap-
lishment and subsequent development Oh
which YOU have shown laudable zeal ana
diligence. it has seemed best that the
aforementioned custom should not be de-
parted from, and that another, whose
name Is TO be proposed TO US by the
bishops should be appointed 20 succeed
you IN this honorable position. In order
however. that. I'm your resigning TINS
Office due regard may be had TO your
person and your dignity, we have deter
mined to elevate you 10 the rank OF arcn-
bishop.
OFFER OF ARCHBISHOPRIC.
nBelng sollcltous for your future wei
fare. we leave Il 20 your own free choice
either to remain in your own country or
II YOU prefer IL. 10 come TO Rome. III you
choose the former. we VIII destne fof
Won some archieplscopal see by the vote
of the bishops Of the United States. u
YOU prefer the latter, We shall WELDON,
YOU most lovingly and VIII place you
among the consuitors Of the Congregation
81 fof Of ht
Proua ganda. I'm both OF which you coulo
do much for the interests OF religion H.
the United States In this latter case we
would also assign you suitable revenue
for vour honorable maintenance.
confidently trusting. venerable brother
that Won will accept this. our administra-
tive act. with hearty good will, we most
lovingly bestow upon you the apostolic
benedlctlon as a pledge Of our paternal
affection.
"Given at Rome. from ST. Peters, this
18th day of September 1896 in the nine
! teenth year of our pontiiicate.
LEO Kill. Pope.
BISHOP KEANES REPLY.
1.-THE next day 1 mailed to the Holy
Father a reply, Of which the following Is
! a translation:
| "Washington, September 49, 1896.
7 Most Holy Father,--His Eminence, Car
dinal Gibbons yesterday handed me the
/ letter in which your Holiness has MADE
! known TO me that my administration or
| this university now comes 10 an end, ana
| that another rector is 10 be appointed.
! "Vithout n moment OF hesitation. / ac-
cent the will of your Holiness In the mat
/ ter as A manifestation OF the providence
/ az cod and from this instant | resign
into the hands Of his Eminence, the
| chancellor the Office OF rector. with all
rights thereto attaching.
'srbanking your Holiness for the free
dom of choice granted me. / choose to re-
main In nv own country. and moreover,
without any official position whatsoever,
I'm tranquility and peace.
I '.Your Holinoss's most humble son in
! christ. JOHN J. KEANE.
! Bishop OF Ajasso."
/ supplcmentlng the letters. Bishop Keane
says:
OF rector Of the university with profound
gratitude both 10 Divine Providence and
/ 10 the Pope. While always regarded its
I duties as a labor OF love. they had grown
| 10 he far beyond my strength and abli-
ties and the deliverance from the burden
* "a RESPONSE 20 many prayers. / was too
| loval a soldier to ask to be relieved
| from my post, no matter what its diff
| cufffpe. hut feeling that my nine years
of strain and solicitude IN the work had
hrought me close 10 the end Of my brain
/ and nerve powers. l was fully ready to
| welcome what has been done. | shall
now enjoy some months of greatly needed
rest on the Pacific coast, leaving all plans
for the future TO a later date.
APPEAL FOR THE UNIVERSITY.
COZ course. no one needs TO be assured
that the action of the Holy Father is
prompted not only by personal kindness
toward myself. but also by earnest solicit
t,de for the best interests OF the univer-
sitv He believes In rotation In office
as All sensible men must. He knows the
evils OF allowing any ofiicial and es-
pecially the head OF university. 10 fossil
Iize al his post. and in this all must ac-
knowledge his wisdom. His enlightened
prudence. and that or the trustees who
/ nave TO present the nominations, will be
sI,re 10 select a rector in every way fitted
~ rulGe the work TO fuller and fuller
success. From the peaceful retirement
which | trust have somewhat earned. I
| shall eyer watch it's progress with un-
| ahated interest. And 1 appeal 10 all
whom my efforts In behalf OF the uni
! versItv have ever reached 10 redouble
their interest. their zeal, their generosity
IN This new chapter OK the university ;
| existence and 10 make IL what II by right
must be. the browning glory OF Christian
education IN America
meeting OF the Board OF Directors OF
- I..NI