New-York tribune., 1903-07-08
RECALL THEIR MEETING.
Tributes to Leo by J. ID. Crimmins
and er-DiStrict attorney Phdbin.

John D. Crimmins and ex-District Attorney
Philbin. both of whom prominent In the
local Catholic world, and both Of whom have
been honored with private audiences by the
Pope in the last year So yesterday expressed
to Tribune reporter similar opinions of the
interest and familiarity manifested by Pope Leo
with American institutions and conditions. Mr..
Philbin said:
Il saw the Holy Father little more than a
year ago at a private audience, and at that
time 1 was greatly impressed with the entire
absence of any appearance of feebleness or
senility. He showed a surprising knowledge of
the affairs of this country and manifested a
great interest in our institutions His death
means more to Catholics than merely the de-
cease of the Sovereign Pontif, as, by reason of
his numerous encyclical letters on important
questions of the day. he has brought himself
in close touch with the members of the Church
in this country. Very rarely is it that the death
of one occupying so exalted position engen-
ders deep a feeling of sorrow as will be
stirred at the death of Leo XIII, particularly
among those of his own faith.
He had such a belief in the great mission of
the Church that he desired only justice in its
behalf In the audience referred to- he made
the remark:
All that the Church desires is Justice
entered into the civil life of the citizen to the
extent of making him more appreciative of the
duty involved and giving him strength to per-
form it,"
In recalling his audience John D. Crimmins
said:
Il shau never forget that wonderful face.
1t seems to me to have eluded all artists have
never found painting that portrayed the face
accurately enough to recall the feelings with
which you see it.
ITO the wonderful characteristic OF the
Holy Father the universally of his inter-
est and information. If a missionary from the
Far East, from Burmah or Java or Hindostan
came to see him, he would be impressed with
the wonderful range of information possessed
by the Holy Father on his work and the coun-
try in which he labored, just as l was by his
knowledge of America. l remember in particu-
lar Polish woman of rank who saw the Pope
just before me. When the attendant mentioned
her family name the face of the Pope bright
ened up and in minute he was telling her the
achievements of her grandfathers and the his
tory Of her family.
with all his great qualities he possessed the
simplicity Of child. He was devoid of all af-
fectation. No one whom have ever seen made
such an impression upon me- l believe him to
be the greatest figure of our time. and destined
to stand high among the great of the Church.
His greatness apparent to one as he saw
him. It was a greatness that made a similar
impression on a Protestant friend of mine who
saw the HOLY Fother twenty years ago
There is no greater evidence of the univer-
salty of the mind of the Holy Father than the
fact that when he issued his famous encyclicaI
letter on capital and labor many nations took
1t a direct reference to the conditions exist
ing within their boundaries L recall that when
I first read it I thought it was called forth by
Henry Georges Progress and Poverty and
dealing solely with the situation here; but
| found that in France, Germany and England it
was discussed in the press and reviews with
| equal application to the conditions in these
countries.
mo one who has seen the Pope can for
IuaN hot
all the greatness they will recall the simpleness
and innocence of his expression"