The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-09-16
AMERICANISM NOT BLAMED
PoPB LEo's DECLARATION TO ARCH
BISHOP IRELAND.

~
An MisunderstandinEs Removed by Mgr. IRE
lands Recent visit Co Rome-His Talks
with the Holy Fathsr-A speech Before
The Pspal Court on saiat Joaohims Dsy.
ROME, Aug. 7s.-Mer. Ireland's visit to the
Holy Either marks q fortunate date for the
Church In the United States and for the general
policy Of Catholicism. A coalition OF the fac
tions OF all the reactionists and OF all countries
had made q final attack on "Americanism'' and
on all the ideas OF the present Pontincate. Leo
XIII. had an intuition OF the motives Of the
campaign. but as certain unpleasant tendencies
in Europe had led some persons to seek shelter
under that new name, the Holy See found itself
obliged to proclaim at the same time the
dangerous character OF those tendencies and
the correctness OF the American spirit
Unfortunately. simple minds and theologians
do not understand the exact meaning Of
these necessary distinctions. One day an
American prelate drew attention 70 the awk-
ward consequences Of the Pope's letter to Car
dlnal Gibbons. But" answered Leo XIII.
Il made a clear distinction between the wrong
tendencies and the true Americanlsm," That
In true. most Holy Father. We Bishops know the
difference. but the public cannot make II out.
To many minds 'Americanism' OF whstever
kind seens 10 be oond 'mned. What ~partiou-
uTlN lnCTehseu the TeNfotlhDlo COnluhlOn VI Nuc
United States was he selfish and savage eager
ness with which reactionists Of all kinds made
use OF the papal document against the Ameri-
cans. Thus they spread the belief that Rome
had meant To strike a blow at the most %iniuen-
ual Bishops In the United States. so there was
Fadness and ill-feeling among many Catholics
and amazsment among Protestants at this
alleged condemnation OF Amerlcanism."
For some time the Pope had been thinking Of
putting an end TO the confusion and misunder-
standing. He was struck by the unanimity OF
Trouinent Bishops In declaring that in spite Of
the absolute correctness Of the Pope's letter 20
Cardinal Gibbons. that document had brought
about among all classes a lowering OF their love
and esteem for the Holy See.
leo XIII. however. as Is his habit. waited for
n favorable occasion before throwing light on
the matter. The fattering and extraordinarily
kind reception which the Pore gave Mgr. Ireland
marks the beginning OF the transformation. /
shall not be indiscreet: even Mgr. Ireland him
self speaks Of II with discretion and modera-
ton. What may be told Il what Leo XIII. him
self has allowed TO become public. For several
days the Holy Father never wearied OF praising
in the most delicate way to visitors and TO those
about him the Archbishop OF st. Paul The
Pope stated expressly to Mgr. Ireland that his
letter was not aimed 4 at American American
ism. - but at the European tendencies, which.
particularly in Germany. had made wrong use
OF the name and the methods OF work. contrary
TO orthodox tradition and spirit.
MAY I say this publicly. most Holy Father"
"But I beg you TO do so. All mIsu nderstand-
InRs must be ended"
This feet goes to TIE root Of the matter, We
pointed out at the very beginning the dIstinc-
lions and the precise meaning OF the letter IN
Cardinal Glib But no many passions had
entered into the matter that many minds ap-
reared either sa4dened or uneasy or disafeo.e ed,
leo XIII has seized the occasion OF Mgr. Ire
lands visit TO create in Rome a favoraf le atmos-
phere. on the evening OF Aug, 10 The last pri-
vate interview took place with Mgr. Ireland. who
intended TO leave Rome neIt day. DUR g the
Interesting conversation Leo XIII. requested
the Archbishop to be present al the reception
Of Aug 10 in honor OF Saint Joachim, the Holy
Fathers patron saint. Il WISH" added the
Pope, that you should Yourself do away with
the unjust prejudices that are felt against you.
You will make a speech which shall put an end
TO all hurt feelings"
II was done as he said. Mgr. 1relandis
speech at the Circolo in the presence OF the
Pope and the court. on the attachment OF
Americans for the Pope and on the super-ns-
tional character OF the Papacy. made a most
favorable impression on the hearers. II Is
useless for csntankerous spirits. too much the
slaves Of Their prejudices to accept the present
evolution, to make and point out.
for instance, that Mgr. Ireland did not use
once the phras' temporal power" the de-
sired effect was obtained. The very near future
will show that this l. the idea. the firm inten-
ton Of Leo XIII Public acts will follow. At
Rome tn situation was understood so we'll
that the most influential Cardinals. without ex-
cepiion. received Mgr. Ireland with the utmost
attention. Mgr. Ireland leaves Rome with the
fee ing that the Pope and the Holy See look
upon him as a privile ged cooperator and, what Is
OF more consequence. with the certainty that
Rome has not condemned, and has never
thought OF c7ndemning. american Ameri-
canism."
These incidents will have a fruitful. | might
say almost historic. influence on the relations
between Rome. Europe and the United States.
as well as on &C. normal course Of papal policy.
Some day | shall say why. lNNoMINATo.