New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-16
"THE GRAND SILENCER."
CARDINAL RAMPOLLA. SECRETARY OF
STATE TO LEO XIII

The cable dispatches from Europe on two
occasions last week contained assertions to the
effect that Cardinal Rampoa del Tindaro was
on the eve of resigning his post OF Secretary
Of State and it likewise intimated that his
rrobable successor would be Cardinal Calm
hertz 1t u.s. however. unlikely that there is any
serious foundation for the news. or that 1t Is
based on anything else than that gossip which
abounds in city where there so many peo-
nile who have absolutely no aim in life and
nothing TO do. 1t would he difficult to find any
thing more improbable than the withdrawal
or dismissal from office of Cardinal Rampolla
and those who possess any knowledge Of Vati-
can affairs and Papal politics are convinced
that his Secretaryship Of State will come to a
close only with the death Of Leo Kill For all
the most glorious incidents of the latters reign
are indissolubly connected with the name Of this
youthful prince of the Church. and there is
certainly no member OF the Sacred College who
more closely reflects the political ideas of the
venerable Pontn, who understands him more
completely. and who more Loyalty, unreservedly
and obedently seconds His Holiness.
To Catholics, we'll people of other
religious denominations throughout the civil
lied world, the most remarkable incident
OF the present pontifcate thus far. and the
one which is calculated to figure in the
most conspicuous manner in the pages of
history, is the spectacle Of Leo XIII act
ing arbitrator in a purely mundane con-
troversy between Fower that has always been
regarded as the principal stronghold Of Cathoh-
csm and Power that occupies analogous
position with regard TO the Protestant Church
The Pope was invited to assume this role, not
by His Most Catholic Majesty the King OF
Spain. but by the Lutheran Emperor William
Cbop Bismarck.
Of the Holy Father sitting in judgment with
these two great Powers az his feet awaiting his
decision has been one calculated to raise the
prestige Of the Papacy to height unknown in
modern times, and has served more than any
thing else to demonstrate that, In spite of the
loss Of temporal sovereignty the Holy See
during the pontfcate Of Leo Mi has lost MOTH
ing Of its incalculable influence over the tenn
moral affairs not only Of Catholic, but also Of
Protestant, nations.
CARDINAL RAMPOLI4AS DIPLOMACY
Now. II is to Cardinal Rampola that the Holy
Father is mainly indebted for being requested
TO act as arbitrator in the conflict between Gers
many and Spain on the subject of the posses
sion of the Caroline Islands. Contrary to gen
eral belief the idea originated with Cardinal
Ramnolla AT that time Nuncio at Madrid, and
not with Prince Bismarck as has been asserted.
Realizing, like Premier Canovas, 10 whom ne
first preached the subject, that ii would be
preferable for the invitation to come from Ber-
lin instead of from the Spanish Government,
the Nunco awaited himself of the close friend
ship which he had contracted year previously
with the German Crown Prince on the occasion
of the Iatter's visit to Madrid quietly to init
mate through him 10 Prince Bismarck that were
Emperor Willism to appeal to the Pope TO act
as arbitrator in the controversy, King Alfonso
and his Ministers would gladly abide by the
decision Of His Holiness. Prince Bismarck,
with his political experience. at once perceived
the advantages of the project and the benefits
to be derived therefrom for Germany. In the
way of propitiating the Vatican. the support Of
which nc needed in the Rechstag. in which II
controlled at the time nearly hundred votes.
SO without hesitation he acceded to the propo
sition and the invitation for the Popes arbitra
ton reached Rome in due course from Berlin
the Pontiff not learning till afterward the part
played by Cardinal Rampola in securing for him
what still appears TO be the greatest tribute
paid to the Holy See In the present century.
The Cardinal is one Of the few Italian members
Of the Sacred College who bear patrician names
Formerly mobiles predominated among these
princes OF the Church, the great houses Of
Borghese Colonna. Chigi and Cenci being al
ways represented among the wearers Of the red
hats. 1t was regarded duty by the heads OF
these families to devote at least Of their sons
to the Church But the wave Of democracy that
has swept over the entire civilized world in the
latter half Of the nineteenth century has not been
without its influence upon Catholicism. which.
after all. is not only ecclesiastical but like
wise popular institution: and to-day 1t is the
of the people, rather than those of the nob-
ity. who constitute overwhelming majority
In hat an a1 nv he
to assist him in the administration Of the spiritual
affairs of the Catholic world. Like his principal
rival and foe. Sgnor Crispi, the Marquis RAM
polla del TindarO is Siciian, although his man.
ner. his bearing, and, above all his taciturnty.
would convey the impression that he hailed from
the northern portion of the Italian peninsula.
MORE sPANIARD THAN sICILIAN
indie ID there is little of the voubility the rest
lessness and effusiveness Of the Sicilan in this
tall grave, ascetic-looking man of stately mien
and noble speech. who shows clearly the influ-
ence Of many years passed among the Castian
hidalgos at the court of SPAIN In every respect
he presents a direct contrast to his predecessor
the fat and jolly little Cardinal Jacobini With
out wishing to say anything disrespectful Of the
latter. one could almost have written Of him as
Lord Rockingham did Of King Charles II Of Eng
land whose word no relied on; but the
little Cardinal had such a delightful, good |
humored and kindly way about him that 1t was ,
simply impossible TO be offended by the fire. /
ouent breaches of faith which he seemed TO con- /
slider Indispensable to the conduct of the dplo- |
matte affairs OF the Vatican. With Cardinal /
Rampoa however, r. is known that his word
can absolutely be relied upon-but he seldom !
gives it-and one ever better deserved the |
strange title of "tne Grand Silencer." which was |
in olden times used to designate the Secretary ,
Of State Of the Byzantine Cmperors and later on, /
Of the early Popes than Els Eminence Cardinal !
Rampolla.