The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1901-08-27
WELCOME TOTHE CARDINAL
Catholics of the Diocese Greet Mgr.
Gibbons in Baltimore.
A Parade of Societies Held in Honor
of the Prclatc's Rcturn-Speeches
by the Acting Mayor and Mr.. Bona
parte-His Annual Retreat Begun.


| BALTIMORE, Md, Aug. 6.-CarGinal
| Gibbons received a warm welcome this
afternoon on his return from abroad. All
of the Catholic organizations in this city,
including the uniformed Knights of CO.
| lumbus and many of the clergy from
! throughout the diocese assembled to do
him honor.
Union station, at which he arrived. was
| crowded with people representing every
! denomination. The Cardinal was accom-
| panied by Father Fletcher, and as he
| emerged from the train he was heartily
greeted by Acting Mayor Henry Williams,
who on behalf of the city, extended a
warm welcome. In the course of his ad-
dress, he said:
Your Eminence: In the absence of the
/ mayor. i am here to offer hearty con-
gratulations your safe return and eX-
( tend to you a sincere welcome. l hope
that you have returned to with re-
newed strength and health that will en-
able you to discharge with your wonted
ability the many responsibilities and du-
ties that appertain to your exalted office
| in the Church.
During your travels you have doubtless
seen many grand pageants and displays
/
and military heroes; but here you see
/ before you an outpouring of our fellow
citizens, entirely voluntary on their part.
who wish to show by their presence the
| love and respect that they feel for you
and the high esteem in which you are
held in this, your native city, where you
have so long dwelt You will observe that
! in this vast assembly are not only the
members of your own Church who have
| come to pay their respects to a distin-
| guished prelate, but you have before you
| men of all religious bodies. who have come
to extend their greetings to one who has
| labored not only for the good of those of
| his own religious creed. but for the well
fare of all his fellow men, regardless of
| their faith. They believe that your rule
of life is to do justly, love mercy and to
walk humbly with thy Cod
In keeping this divine command you
have gained, l believe. the love of God
| and the respect and admiration OF men.
Again 1 greet you and bid you welcome,
and pray for your continued health and
prosperity
Mayor Williams was followed by Mr..
Charles Bonaparte, who welcomed the
Cardinal on behalf of the Catholics of
Baltimore. Mr.. Bonaparte said:
Venerable Father, fourteen years have
flown since your children. by my voice,
babe you a joyful welcome when first a
Cardinal you returned from conference
with our illustrious Pontiff. Those years
have wrought change in men and the
things of man; the young have grown
old: the old have been called to rest;
some of us, then often seen and heard,
are low forgotten: others. then unknown.
-;.fl ,ut fha
stage of public life. We have had new
laws and new rulers, have found new
leaders in thought and research, new the
cries in science, and new doctrines in
government: we have unlearned much
that we thought We knew and have
learned much that we must unlearn to-
morrow.
But, amid these shiftings of shadows
and breaking of bubbles amid the death
of the perishable and the birth of what
is born to die, that which lives truly and
forever is now as II has been for four
teen years and for fourteen centuries;
the truths God would have men know,
the Church he has commissioned TO teach
them his truths, change not with the gem
erations of man. Again greeting you in
the name of these committed to your
care, my first duty is to profess anew our
answering loyalty to the Church, to
declare once more our unfalterinS faith
in her mission and authority and TO claim
for each one of US, in all paths Of public
or private duty. her hand and her voice
as unerrins guides to righteousness.
Needed in all times and all countries
she is, or, at least, to US, she seems need
ed most Of all in our day and our coun-
try, for today Americans are learning
tations wait on national greatness In
our youth Of weakness and solitude. set
apart from the world by oceans and viii
dernesses, we looked calmly on the sins
and follies of cur brethren, wondered
sagely at the baleful passions which took
shape in war and conquest and oppres-
sion, and thanked God with JUNCTION that
we Were not as other men.
The time of trial came. the time which
should teach US how vain and presump-
tuouS were our day dreams; how little
beneath the surface our common human
nature is changed by Intellectual training
or material surroundings by customs or
forms of government.
And what in the past befell now be-
falls us; as fruits of war, We face today
the labors, the periis, the duties of con-
querors.
1T is not for US to murmur, still less to
shirk the appointed task; We cannot lay
down at Will these grave responsibilities,
however lightly we took them up, and to
yainly seek such escape were mere cow
ardicc and folly; but we may well, nay,
in reason and conscience We must well
come any help which can fit US to fulfill
them; and in this work. as in all that
concerns man, there is roOm-rOom which
none other can fll-fOr the Church of
Christ.
She can tell us, and tell us as one
speaking with authority, that if God has
given rs power over distant lands and
strange men. we hold it but to serve those