Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1903-07-25
SKETCH OF LEO XIII
A Pen Picture of the Great Pom
tiff of the Catholic Church
Who Has Just Died.

Before his return to Rome he visited Lon
don and Paris, aid was received by Victoria,
Prince Albert and Louis Philippe, to whom
he had been warmly recommended by Leo
pold.
Death had claimed the bishop Of Perugia.
The hearts Of the people and the clergy
turned to him, who had endeared himself
to them in his brief sojourn as governor.
The pope acceded to their wishes, but In
tended first to bestow the red hat. When
the nuncio reached Rome Gregory lay dy-
ing.
His successor, Plus H., confirmed the APP
pointment. For 90 years Leo filled
this pastoral mission Plus was not unmind-
full Of Gregory's design for his promotion,
but political troubles which crowded all the
years Of Plus pontificate, delayed for six
years the insignia of the red hat.
In 1877 was celebrated the golden jubilee
of Plus TX. His strength was failing and he
know his end was near. Death had just
taken his oldest friend and paved the way
for new Camerlengo. Plus appointed
Cardinal Pecci. 1t was position involving,
during the vacancy Of the papal chair, the
supreme authority to administer the tenn
poralities of the holy see 1t was the Cam
srlengo who must use the silver hammer
baptismal name before it could be admitted
that he was dead. Already the shadow OF
the cross had fallen on Cardinal Pecci.
January IL, 1878, Victor Emmanuel died
in the Quirinal palace-eight days after
Plus followed him, whom he had deemed
the prosecutor and spoliator Of the church.
When the wires flashed over the world the
news Of Plus death, Protestants believed
haf h. xvh tnh ola nad 10 has
come down from Peter was at an end. The
questions arose, will the government not
take possession OF the vatican and ST. Pc
ter'ss VIII they, can they, allow the cardi-
nails to assemble freely in conclave and elect
successor to Plus TX? viii not the gov
eminent raise the flag of Savoy and secure a
spiritual head of its own selection who will
be amenable to the house of Savoy Such
might have been the case had Victor EN-
manuel lived, or had the papacy had at its
head man Of less diplomatic skill, less tact,
than Cardinal Pecci. He carefully avoided
everything that could give offence, but was
determined there should be no delay that
he could prevent in assembling the conclave
which should be ten days after the death
Of pope. At that time the papal tiara was
not crown to be coveted.
Out Of sixty-four cardinals three we're alb.
sent. Two were ii and McClosky only ar.
rived in season to do homage to the rue.
cessor OF Plus TX. The Camerlengo pre-.
pared for long session. The doors were
closed. None might enter, none pass out
But two ballots could be cast in one day
morning and evening Two-thirds majority
was necessary to an election. Ii no choice
were made, little smoke emitted from the
burned ballots told the fact to the outside
waiting people The first balloting gave
% votes to Cardinal Pecci-he was seen to
be greatly disturbed-his face expressed
dsmay and grief At the second ballotins
the name Of Pecci was called 80 times
great tears rollsd down his chesks--his pen
dropped froin bis trembling hands. Before