The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-02-22

uOhS ahat VIII influence the
Choice.
From the New York Tribune.
On Feb. 20 Leo XIII completed nine
teen full years since his election to the
sovereign pontifcate. On March 2. the
eve of the anniversary of his coronation
he win complete eighty-seven years of
life. In the days between the death of
Plus 1X and the election of Leo XIII, in
1878, these words were uttered by a high
Roman ecclesiastic: "a young man will
not be chosen again to be pope 1t is not
good that too long a reign should immo.
bilize the church in the policy of one
man"
IL was not young man that was elect
ed, for Cardinal Pecci was 6S years old.
Yet as Leo XIII he has had a long pontifi-
cate, during which he has modified" the
church in his own policy. From his bent
form, under the silver hair which crowns
a face of bloodIess alabaster, his keen
eyes still look out with a vitality full OF
mental vigor and of the will to live Live
he may for years to come: but it is nat
ural that men should look around and
conjecture as to his successor.
1t may be taken for granted that the
next pope will be an Italian. like those
VINO nave preceded Leo XIII for nearly
400 years. There was never time less
favorable for revolution in this point of
the churchs practice. The popes may
never again have Rome or a part of
Rome, as their own independently, but
nothing viii be done to prejudice their
claims when the time for settlement
comes. Only an Italian pope can treat
with the people of Italy concerning the
rights OF the church of Rome. The same
reasoning will make a Roman cardinal
mat sRat IS, & one belonging to the former
states OF the church, more acceptable as
a candidate to the papal throne than a
natlve OF other parts of Italy. This has
a5n.eadX been seen in the elections of both
rus TX and Leo XIII.
Too much credit for this state of things
should not be attributed to the fact that
the Italian cardinals are in a majority
~ the sacred college, to which the cleo
ton of the Pope belongs At present. out
OF a total of fifty-eght cardinals, thirty
two are Italians to twenty-six non-Ital-
lans. But II would be impossible for the
latter TO unite on any non-Italian candi-
gate. Intense national feeling would
Keep the four French and four German
cardinals apart. The four Spanish and
two Portuguese cardinals would never
support a candidate not of Latin race.
and the six cardinals of Austria Hungary
would unite with them in their distrust
OF the Liberalism of the four British sub
JectS who are cardinals and of the Amer
lean Cardinal Gibbons. The one Bel
sian CdIQlildl, belonging TO neutral
country, half-Latin and half Germanic in
race and language, is the only non-TtaI-
ian, who would not be positively obnox-
louS TO the majority of non-Italian car
dinals. But even he is without the neces-
Sary qualifications for dealing with the
Roman question.
1t may also be taken for granted that
the next Pope will be chosen from among
the cardinals themselves. There is no
Jaw, and scarcely a settled custom to
this effect. But, in the present admins
tration of the church only a cardinal is
likely to present the necessary euaran-
tees of knowledge, training and expert
ence IN dealing with the international
questions OF a church which is practi-
cally universal. For a somewhat similar
reason, cardinal who has served his
time as a bishop would have the advan-
tage over one not experienced in the gov
eminent OF the lower clergy. Frequently
Popes have been chosen from the religious
orders. The predecessor of Plus TX Greg
DRY XVI, was a Camaldolesc monk, and
Plus VII, who successfully withstood Ma
poleon, was Benedictine. 1t is not like
ly that a member of any religious order
would be elected Pope under circumstan-
ceS like the present, which demand the
worldly experience of the secular clergy,
except as compromise among cardinals
unable otherwise to unite their votes
1t should be added that Leo XIII is in
no position to dictate the choice of his
successor, or even seriously to influence IT
by preparing the way. 1t is true that only
handful of cardinalsx named by Plus TX
survive, but the popes own choice of car
ullldlS is often governed DIV other things
than his personal inclinanons. The first
and most numerous set is made up of
those who reside in Rome and aid him in
the administration of the church. Bv
nuncios to the four chief capitals in COM
munion with the pope-Madrid, Lisbon
Parls ana vienna. Others have been on
special missions, from Washington to
ConStantlnople, and yet others have work.
ed their way up to posts where their ex-
perience makes them necessary The sec
CLASS QrninAlG of hfo.1s
proposed by different governments and
the third of Italian bishops, who must also
be accepted by the government. In all
these nominations the pope has other in
terests to consult than the electioneering
for a successor to take his place when ne
is dead.
The influence of religious orders viii
count for little in favor of any candidate;
but il might count aginst him in this Way
II the Jesuit theologians who are occupied
IN home should consider certain cardi-
nal inclined to imprudent innovations. it
is probable that their opinion would weigh
with many other cardinals, whose coun-
sellors they are. The same may be said of
the Dominicans and other orders contain
ing men likely TO be consulted Put their
positive influence would go for little. least
of all If IL were cast in favor of one of
their own order No pressure from any
European government is likely to turn the
balance in favor of candidate. At most
national exigencies might, for example
hinder the election of a too enthusiastic
lover of France or Germany. The cardi-
nalS are, by an immense majority prel-
ates first and foremost and they will elect
a pope according to their ideas Of the
greater good of the church.
With these conditions in view IL is easy
to pick out the few cardinals who would
stand a present chance of being elected
pope. OF course, when the real election
comes stampede may disappont all pre-
vious calculation, as in any other voting
assembly.
OF the cardinals created by PIux TX pa
rocchi was long considered the most like
~ OF all candidates. He is now. slxtv-four
years of age and though not a Roman nv
birth. Is identified with Rome as Rishon
of Albano-one of the six suburban secs "a
which the cardinal bishops are named
and as Vicar of the Pope for the bishoDric
of Rome itself. He is a stout amiabie
man-so amiable that he has pleased no
one Of late years by never taking side for
or against the papal measures which have
stirred mp so much feeling. He might
concentrate the votes OF all those who love
peace and dread a stormy pontincate
Cardinal Oreglia, who Is Co. is the exact
contrary. He rs veritahle Bourbon, aud
so positive in his opposition to the new
lines struck out by Leo XIII that he Is
thought 10 be a thorn IN the popes side
He has three brothers, Jesuits, and was
himself once q novice: but this does NOT
make him more a favOrite Of the order
than Paroechi who has been as good "A
friend with less show OF authority. In the
..-a.fttfoaf LANGUAGE Of tho day D,r,~.f,t