New-York tribune., 1901-09-07
ALL CLASSES GRIEVED.
CARDINAL GIBBONS'S STRONG
WORDS.
PRAISE FOR THE PRESIDENT AND CON
DEMNATION OF THE CRIME-WILL
ORDER PRAYERS IN HIS DIOCESE.

baltimore. Sept. 6.-The news of the attempted
aseassination Of the President did not reach
Cardinal Gibbons until nearly Z o'clock in the
evening. His Emnence having been out driving
Soon after he heard il representative of The
Associated Press called on him in his study. His
Fnainence as the visitor entered, raised his hands
IN mute appeal and in voice which shook with
emotion exclaimed: Il hope from the bottom of
nv heart, sir, that you bring better
news than that which ] have heard,'
T-pon being informed that the condition of the
President was still very grave the Cardinal
sank into chair and said: 1t is sad. indeed
that an insane fanatic can have il in his power
10 endanger the life of the head of great ma
zion like this, and man possessing the many
virtues Of President Mckinley The man who
did II must be a madman The President has
no personal enemies, and no one but madman
would have committed such a deed. If. how
ever. he has a spark OF reason left and it can
he shown that he is responsible. punishment
would be too great for him
After moments hesitation the Cardinal re-
sun,ed: Il am filled with sadness beyond ex-
preston at receiving this news. I not only
honor President Mckinley as the head OF a
great nation but 1 have the privilege of regard
ing him as a friend. and indebted to him
for many favors. l repeat that this awful ca
lamitv must have been the work of an insane
man for while the President had hosts of po-
l,tical opponents il seems incredible that he
could have a personal enemy. Few Presidents
who have occupied the chair have been better
equipped for the Presidency than he. He was
trained for the place by having served his cOun-
Try in minor capacities Congressman and
Governor. and the effect OF this training has
been repeatedly shown during his Presidential
career
His characteristic virtues are patience and
forbearance. He is always ready TO receive any
one and 10 give careful attention any de-
mauds upon him. whatever might be their
character The wounds which have been in
hicted upon him are not only a national ca
lamity, but come a personal affiictiOn to every
house in the land. Every son and every daugh-
ter in the United States should feel them as
they would feel blow struck at the head of
his her family.
Il have always heard him most admired for
his domestic virtues and for his tender affec
ton and solicitude for his wife. No more beau
tiful example of domestic virtue and felicity has
probably ever been seen in this or any other
country than that of President and Mrs Nc
Knley.
at is my earnest prayer that the Lord may
spare him 20 i'll out the term he has begun so
well. But whatever be the outcome of this
awful crime, of course the nation Will remain
unshaken upon the firm foundation our fore
fathers bulded for IT. Perhaps the best tribute
10 the stability of our institutions is the fact
that while the blow at the President arouses
universal sorrow and Indignation, IL does not
in the least shake our faith in the correctness
OF the principles Of our government, and Will not
retard for an instant its machinery. or create
than passing ripple upon the waters
over which is gliding noble ship OF state
You may announce, II YOU will" said His
Emnence. in conclusion, that will order i'm
mediately that prayers shall be held in every
church in my diocese Sunday next If the
President stin nves-and God grant that he
may-they will be for his recovery"