The Irish standard., 1899-09-09
PERSONAL TRAITS OF HIS EMlNENCE
Cardinal James Gibbons Has a
Calm Judgment.
HIS KNOWLEDGE OF HUMAN NATURE
Interesting Sketch Of the Great
Catholic Prelate.

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On the roll OF notable men who have
won distinction in their respective vo-
cations during the nineteenth century
stands the name OF James Cardinal
Gibbons, archbishop OF Baltimore,
writes Raleigh Carlson Smith in the
New York Sunday Times. AS
churclman Cardinal Gibbons has met
with pre-eminent success, and is prob
ably justly regarded by all sects and de-
nominations as one OF the greatest
prelates Of the time. To the world at
large he is known and recognized as
pillar of strength in the cause OF Ca
tfolicism. To those who have enjoyed
personal acquaintance with his en-
inence, and have studied the traits OF
his character, the fact is palpable that
the same qualities that are responsible
for the exalted position he holds in
the church would have brought him
fame had he chosen for his lifc's work
some other profession or occupation.
A diplomat by nature, he has demon
strated his ability to cope with the di-
lcmmas that he has been called upon to
meet He is gifted with rare tact that
is perhaps his most valuable inherit
ance; and is certainly the characteristic
that has stood him most in need in set
tling disputes that were inevitable, and
avoiding disscnsions that would have
arisen had he been less polite. With
this priceless possession with cool
head and calm judgment, with strong
personality and an intimate knowledge
OF human nature, the cardinal could
have made for himself place in his
tory whatever had been the specific OBJ
ject of his ambition. The natural force
OF the man, coupled with an intensity
OF purpose, wonderful amount of en-
ergy, an enormous capacity for hard
work, and the happy faculty OF solving
difficulties instead of promoting them
would have caused him to shine as a
statesman. While this sketch is i'll
tended to be devoted principally to the
personal traits and characteristics OF
Cardinal Gibbons, it is nevertheless
permissible that something should be
told OF his carly life, and the circum-
c+, 11,,k 1,I L., ~.
head OF the Roman Catholic church in
America. In broad sense, he is
public man aside from his religious or
official life. He takes more than
passing interest in public affairs-a
leading part as a citizen. With due
propriety he expresses his opinions
whenever called for, and exercises
every right of citizenship. He is an
ideal American, and no less true to his
church as an ecclcsiastic He is
friend of the newspapers, and the press
is his friend.
Baltimore is the cardinals birthplace,
and the cathedral his home. He was
born in that city July 20, 1884, and is
now o5 years old. There he was bap-
tized, and served successfully as priest,
bishop, archbishop and cardinal. At the
age OF 10 he was taken to ireland by his
father, and there made the acquaintance
of Archbishop McHalc. Returning to
this country he became a student at St.
Charles College and St. Mary's Semi
nary, Baltimore. In 1860 he was or
dained by Archbishop >Kcnrick, and his
first charge was at St. Patrick's church,
in the Monumental City. Later he be-
came secretary to Archbishop Spalding,
and on Aug. 16, 1868, was consccratcd
bishop Of Adramyttum and appointed
vicar apostolic OF North Carolina. On
the death of Bishop McGill he was
transferred to Richmond, Va, July 80,
1872. The recognition OF his merits and
services elevated him to the see OF Bal
timorc in 1877, succeeding Archbishop
Baylcy on Oct. 3 Of that year. He was
one of the chancellors of the second
plenary council OF Baltimore, and pre-
sided over the third plcnary council in
November, 1884. He was invited to
Rome to take part in the important con-
sidcrations before the Holy See. 1t
was then that his light began to shine
as that OF a representative American
Catholic, and from that time to the
present his public services have been
conspicuous.
From time to time, after the death of
Cardinal McClosky, reports were circu-
lated that another cardinal would be
created for America, and the names OF
several prominent archbishops were