Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1903-07-20

He knew that although the new
Italy was founded upon power taken
from the church the latter was etern-
al and could not be crushed through
force of arms.
With infinite tact he guided the
course of the church in It's relations
with the nations of the earth ever
'standing for justice and peace and
moderation. While strictly adhering
to the ancient policy Of the church
he has managed in his encyelicals to
inform the world that he is aware Of
the constantly changing views upon
important questions, and that the
church, while not changing front upon
those questions, was ready to make
allowances for those changes. His
questions to visitors upon these
points have been astonishing in
their keennes for one popularity sup
posed to be recluse.
His Family.
Joachim Vincent Pecci came Of a
strong family, Counties Pecci, his
mother, being a descendant Of the
celebrated Cola di Rienzi. the last Of
the Roman tribunes He was, more
over, in spite Of his precocity as a
student, a sportsman and athlete dur
ing his younger days, adding thereby
a supply Of reserve strength to q
naturally robust constitution.
When Cardinal Pecci was elected
| to succeed Plus IN. the world regard
ed the papacy as historic monument
rather than an actual factor in mod
ern life. The temporal power Of the
pope had been lost Italy had become
a united nation and embraced Rome
In Its sway. The traditions and am
billions Of the church had received a
blow from which 1t did not know
how to rally. The lesser minds Of the
church could think only Of regalning
the old prestige by intrigue and politi-
cal diplomacy.
Leo bided his time. looked well to
the interests OF the church itself, re-
moved inefficiency from once, en-.
couraged learning In every way, but
kept aloof from political connections
Finally Bismarck was compelled to
seek the pope's aid and advice; other
powers followed his example. A great
future as political force seemed
opening before him and the older
order gathered hope for temporal
sovereignty again
The Real Kingdom.
But the pope's greatness withstood
tempting openings Of this sort Ths
kingdom Of which he dreamed was I
kingdom Of humanity, = away owe
4 tne~ 5usguarnts ~s- ~As>>Ai>~S- A. ssnAn
kind In all nations. His vision wen
out over all the world. He put him
self in touch with every people. 0radu
ally. as he felt himself master Of tht
facts and principles, he began the 10
suance Of his noteworthy encyclicals
Most OF them dealt with matters con
nected with the supposed interests O
the working class. Liberty Cap
ital and labor" His letters to thu
English people and to America arr
among the most important Of these
The impression made by these letter.
has been profound upon all classe'
Of people. In them has been clea
cut recognition Of republican princl
pies, q genuine interest In the work
ing man. with an equally earnest ef
fort to direct the modern movement
Of the people into safe lines.
In America
- In America the position Of the pop
has seemed to maify Conservative
but when the strength of the tradi
tions with which he has been surround
ed Is considered II Is remarkable
that he should have been a. progress
sive as he was. His recognition Of tn
French republic alicnatei large mum
bers Of the Frenzy clergy, and tn
solicitude with which he has watche,
the growth Of that republic and on
own reveals the sincerity Of his In
terest In the people.
In his letters he speaks not as a
infallible authority Of the church, bu
as the father and friend Of all tn
) people, and as such his words carr
weight without as well o. within tn
church. Even those who differ fror
, his conclusions most widely must n
, spect and admire the fearless. pras
ticai grip with which he has take
hold Of the actual social problem 3
, his day.
His Work.
II was largely due to the efforts Q
, Leo XIII. that the revival OF the slav
trade In Africa during the last decad
Of the last century was nipped In tn
bud.
On this accession the pope was r,