The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-24
PRIEST AND STATESMAN
AN ENGLISH WRITER'S IMPRESSIONS
OF ARCHBISHOP IRELAND.
Incidents i'm the Life of the American
PreIate Which Furnish Key to
His Strong Character.


Household Words.
If you have ever seen the Most Rev. John
ireland, archbishop Of ST. Paul, Mimi.
you may picture him as a man of rather
massive frame, with bearing, head and
countenance TO match this; as strong and
yet of genial expression; with a full voice
and a soft undertone; with superabund-
ance of power in general. and a suggestion
of reserve of strength in gesture. manner
and air; with everything speaking of force,
and with many things implying sweetness
as a subdued and secondary quality. In
his case, truly, out of strength comes
sweetness.
But this would scarcely be a sufficient
Characterization unless it were added that
you might conceive this big man, at mo-
ment when the fancy was in frolic, as hav-
ing the American eagle for his indivisible
attendant. This mighty bird is a domestic
fowl in the house, and an inseperable COM
panion on the many travels of the arch
bishop of st. Paul. Yes said one of his
friends and followers, John Ireland has
charge of the eagle. 1t is his business to
make it Shrek or sit quiet. He takes 1t
about with him. oh. yes, John Ireland
has charge of the eagle!'
1t is no small thing to be the keeper of
the eagle ar the outset OF the twentieth
century. during the rushing Americaniza-
ton Of the world, so it is interesting TO in
quire by what gifts of character a rough
Irish lad, born in the hapless old country
on Sept II, 1898. has attained his place OF
enviable eminence by 1902.
The story Of his life is written on his
face and frame but it will read like fable
to a later age. In few men is the portrayal
of character through the person so obvious
and instantaneous. He is massively health
full and strong; his mental and moral quail
tiles are engrafted upon large and sound
limbed body. From his home country ne
passed to clerical college at Meximieux,
in France (the association with which ma
ton was to tell for much in his after
careeD and there he passed the years or
development and change under rigid rule,
but amidst health-giving conditions.
The American civil took him from
ordinary activities of sacerdOtal life, and
threw him into the midst of conditions and
opportunities which have been reflected d
subsequent career. The military chaplain
SO sincerely and intensely in sympathy
with his work as to become soldler-l1ke.
His AmericaniZatiOn to the core, through
every fiber of his being, was made com
plete. The spirit of that epic struggle for
a great human principle over stubborn
national fact, nodded the young Irish
priest into the most aboriginal American
of them all
HIS UNQUENCHABLE OPTIMISM.
John Ireland has now, at sixty-four, when
he looks fifty. an unquelled soul. Only big
things are his concern. He counts gains,
not costs; success, and not losses. He is
always of victory in the main. and
he always attans It, He is an optimist.
He rushes with his services a pub
lie man and Catholic pontiff into advanced
situations. just as he flew with his priestly
ministrations to the front of the engage
ments in which the Grand Army of the
Republic was involved. Hence, and from
his multiplied activities and oblivion OF
every yesterday, proceeded the discom-
future which his foes see in the issue of
the "Americanism" controversy, a theo-
logical episode of 1895 and 1899, and in the
same conditions occurred another of the
often quoted acts of his life as a prelate,
when he made a political electoneering in
cursiOn into New York, the diocese of an
other archbishop of different molds and
views.
| His aspects and his points of contact with
life are many. | found evidence Of this not
long ago. A couple of years previously /
had presented to him prominent public
man-Say B.-with whom he had points of
sympathy and comradeship. He entertained
| him genially and interestingly, according to
his wont. Unfortunately, some eventual
development of the policy of the archbishop
induced the politician to express public, and
somewhat unnecessary, criticism and dis
sent. On a more recent occasion l men,
toned second public person of the same
standing and of a Understanding name, also
beginning with the letter 3, who was a
friend of mine and a warm supporter of
the archbishop. The archbishop at once
loudly complained of BIS conduct and IL
was only from the objective nature of his
denunciatiOns that L seized the "quid pro
quo" But, l demurred, that is another
person. You are speaking Of the gay and
irresponsible b, l mentioned the genial and
meditative B." The archbishop subsidized
forthwith into apology and silence, display
ing one of the strong contrasts which at
times his temperament affords
He is a revolutionary whose lot is cast in
/ times of order.
His temperament is one OF those fired by
a cold water regime. His activity worked
miracles in 81. Paul, and his example
shone as a beacon throughout Catholic
North America His greatest successes as
a social worker have been attained in this
sphere. With many and many of his people
his influence told as in an example which
he recounted few years ago he was
passing in front of n new and imposing
building, and he inquired to whom ii be-
longed. 1t was. he learned. token of the
unusual prosperity Of one of his former
practitioners. The happy owner came out
and said to him: Archbishop, this estab-
hshment is yours" How so, my good
friend7" why. twenty years ago L was
a sot, with a miserable family, and no fu-
ture. l took the pledge at your strong ex-
hOrtation, and l owe 10 you all the fortune
of my life"
This is building granite certainties at day.
break. But his operativeness has always
been the same in the two spheres of his
amazing daily and hourly activity: the
church and the state.
AS y STATESMAN.
In the state. AS to this we may take the
latest fact to hand Senator Hanna the
power behind the throne in the time OF
President Mckinley. who is still the mair
factor in the Republican party. and who
is looming into view as a presidential can
didate, has just named Archbishop ireland