The Irish standard., 1899-09-09

cardinal having narrowed down between
New York and Baltimore, the merits
and privileges of the respective cities
then entered the contest the Catholic
press taking up the matter with consid
cradle spirit. On Feb. 10. 1886, cable
gram was received from Rome announ-
cling the appointment OF Archbishop
Gibbons as the second American car
dinal. Cardinal Gibbons, archbishop OF
Baltimore and primate OF the American
Catholic church, was admitted to the
full degree OF his new title at the cathe-
dral in Baltimore on Wednesday morn
ing, June 80, 1886, receiving the red hat
at the hands OF Archbishop Kenrick OF
St. Louis. who was delegated by Leo
XIII. as his representative.
There is, perhaps, no man OF his
prominence in the country who is SO
easily approached by newspaper men as
Cardinal Gibbons. He makes it a point
always to see representatives Of the
press when they call at his residence,
and he willingly gives out such news
for publication as should appear in
print. He takes an interest in affairs OF
the day, and will often discuss with his
intervicwers public questions, provided
the topics are those that he can with
propriety express an opinion about. In
an address delivered before the Press
Club OF New Orleans two winters ago
his eminencc declared that in half a
ccntury's experience with newspaper
men he could not recall single in
stance in which his confidence had been
violated. There is only one subject
that the cardinal not only refuses to
discuss, but becomes hurt and offended
when it is mentioned by the friendly
reporters who call to see him. and that
is the possibility OF his being elected
Pope upon the death OF the present
Pontiff. In this respect he probably
shares the opinion of the most we'll
informed Catholics, who believe that
the College OF Cardinals would under
no circumstances choose as successor
to Leo any one not an Italian. At any
rate, the proposition is one that his
cminence regards as distasteful, and so
far as is known he has never allowed
himself to be drawn into a discussion
over the matter, even with those who
are most intimate with him. As loyal
American the cardinal is an advocate Of
democracy and is himself one of the
most democratic persons imaginable.
He dislilles show and pretension, pomp
and vanity, and his daily life and SUR
roundings are marked by extreme SIM
plicity. His house is comfortably fur
nisllcd, but there is no display OF wealth
or splcndor. Many Of the homes OF the
workingmcn in the cathedral parish are
provided with more luxurics and hand
somcr interior decorations. Strangers
visiting Baltimore often express surprise
at the case with which they procure adj
mission into the archicpiscopal resi-
dcnce. The cardinal or some member OF
his household receives all OF those who
call, and there is no distinction made in
favor Of the rich and the powerful over
the humble and 1owly The doors arc
opened to those who would enter.
His cmincncc is a great pedestrian,
and his figure, which is now bent by age
and cares, is familiar on the streets OF
his native city. He always appears in a
frock coat, and he usually carries a
stout cane. He was provided with a
handsome carriage, and he could ride
in state should he so elect but he pre-
fers TO walk. His constitutional on
Charles street, on fair afternoon, is a
pleasant feature OF his routine life.
Everybody knows him by sight, and he
has to acknowledge many salutations
from passcrs-by. His ramblcs used to
extend several miles, but in recent
months the walks have been shorter.
The cardinal is advancing in years, and
no better evidence Of his growing fec
blencss is apparent than in the length
OF his constitutional. His cmincncc is
OF course in demand at social gatherings
OF note, and he is often besought to
officiate at weddings He responds to
as many OF these as he consistently can.
Many instances are related OF the car
dinal's broadmindedness as we'll as his
tact and diplomacy in avoiding religious
discussions with persons whose views
are opposed to his own. Upon one oc-
casion, so the story runs in Baltimore,
a young journalist was sent by his chief
to interview his eminence upon topic
OF local interest When the interview
was over the cardinal and his caller had
friendly chat upon variety of sub
jccts, including the church. The jour
nalist was Protestant, and in the argu-
ment that followed he became excited
and expressed himself freely from his
point OF view. Upon returning to his
office he reflected upon the outcome Of
his visit and came to the conclusion that
he stood fair chance of being dis
charged should the cardinal repeat the
conversation to the editor. The next
day his cminencc dropped into the
newspaper office in question and asked
to see the proprietor, who was his per-
sonal friend. The reporter was told OF
his call and quakcd in his boots. The
publisher and the cardinal discussed