Evening star., 1901-09-07
CARDINAL GIBBONS, SYMPATHY.
VIII Order Prayers Said in Churches
of His Diocese.


of His Diocese.
BALTIMORE, September 1.-THE news Of
the attempted assassination Of the President
did not reach Cardinal Gibbons until near
ly o'clock in the evening, his eminence
having been out driving. Soon after he
heard 1t a representative of the Associated
Press called on him in his study. His en-
inence, as the visitor entered. raised his
hands In mute appeal, and in q voice
which shook with emotion exclaimed:
II hope from the bottom Of my heart,
sir. that you bring me some better news
than that which I have heard
Upon being informed that the condition
OF the President was still very grave the
cardinal sank into q chair and said:
1T is sad, indeed. that an insane fanatic
can have 1t In his power to endanger the
life of the head of a great nation like this,
and man possessing the many virtues
OF President Mckinley. The man who did
it must be a madman. The President has
no personal enemies and no one but a
madman would have committed such q
deed. II, however, he has a spark Of
reason left, and it can be shown that he
Is responsible. oI no ;, punishment would be
After a moments hesitation the cardinal
resumed:
II am filled with sadness beyond express
sion at receiving this news" said he: Il
not only honor President Mckinley as the
head Of great nation. but I have the
privilege Of regarding him as a friend and
am indebted to him for many favors.
repeat that this awful calamity must have
been the work Of an insane man. for while
the President had hosts Of political oppo-
nents it seems incredible that he could
have personal enemy. But few Pres1-
dents who have occupied the chair have
been better equipped for the presidency
than he. He was trained for the place by
having served his country in minor ca
pacltles as congressman, governor, ana
the effect Of this training has been re-
peatedly shown during his presidential ca
reer.
His characteristic virtues are patience
and forbearance. He Is always ready to
receive any one to give careful attention
to any demands upon him whatever might
be their character. The wound which has
been inflicted upon him is not only a ma
tional calamity. but comes as a personal
amtction to every house in the land. Every
son and every daughter in the United
States should feel 1t as they would feel
family.
II have always heard him most admired
for his domestic virtues and for his ten
der affection and solicitude far his wife.
No more beautiful example of domestic
virtue and felicity has probably ever been
seen IN this or any other country than that
OF President and Mrs. MCKINLEY.
1T Is my earnest prayer that the Lord
may spare him to fill out the term he has
begun so well. But whatever the outcome
OF this awful crime. Of course. 1.-The nation
will remain unshaken upon the firm foun-
dation our forefathers buiided for It. Per-
haps the best tribute to, the, stability Of
our institutions Is the fact that while the
blow at the President arousea universal
sorrow and indignation, II, 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 more than passing ripple rpon
ship Of state.
''You may announce, II you WILL" said
his eminence. in conclusion. that win
order Immediately that prayers shall be
Sunday next. II the President still lives.
and God grant that he may. they will be
for his recovery"