The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-05-22
The Pitifui Case or Mr.. Adams.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SrN-Sr: The in
formation concerning Mr.. Henry Austin
Adams. which In its authentic form appeared
exclusively in THE Sun of Sunday and Mon
day. is inexpressibly sad. pathetic Whether
we accept his own version OF the episode or
that Of his wife. it must arouse a feeling OF
sadness and pity In the minds of all, Catholic
or Protestant who had made the acqna intance
OF Mr.. Adams in his previous career.
Whether the cause of his downfall be at
tributrd TO intellectual alteration or to moral
unsouudncss il will he manifestly mpossi-
Bile for him 10 establish himself again in the
position which he once occupied in the eyes
OF the public. While. therefore, II il far from
my intention to attempt to kick n fallen man.
an interview with "one OF his relatives" pub
lshed since in another paper is ! think.
open TO question.
1t is my personal theory says this gentle
man. that Henry is being purposeiy Kept in
supplying him with funds, they being un-
DESTROYS that he should return here, IS by his
career and doctrines he i far from advanoing
abuse himself at once Of the deiusio n A. an
ded to speak on all snbjsc,s for my my bre hrsn
assure "a relative" hat ip some things and
pretty much the same al over the world, We
are not very timid or given TO frettinR about
episode cs,hoo
long time at at the old stand and g not easily
that OF this trine pass without losing her
s4uan nh or closing up the shutters We
So s Ne Know S's and haSs Of al
men, the best opportunities to know. the
iioIlbles weakness aud InreliabIlIty q poor,
us. and we know something. too, OF the poets.
That, we should take fright at the career
and doet5inss Of Mr. Adams seems to border
As for MIR. Adams personally considered.
he came =, a ,I us az time when we believed
10 follow his convictions. He wished to enter
the priesthood. If that were possible and was
ha his dS Se sSa T III his It
main In the pulpit but with us II vocation to
the priesthood is not merely vocation to
taken zip as popular lecturer mainly, at first.
from the iinpplse TO help one who needed help
sna IT. He born sster and
lnsIy: 70 s. in great demand with priests Who
debts Of their parishes by means OF paid
lectures.
TO speak Of the influence of his doctrines"
on Catholicity is sheer nonsense He never
converts he was led Through special line Of
Ghuah and Of a Ho line he hed s
ordinary CatnOllc Iayman. II may be said.
NJ RAJ se Sha tsGs
who had authority TO teach, He had fas-
dsinatinE personality, loved company. was
70 an eItreme and charming
ike these qualities In moments OF relaxation
from more serious duties. soon cottoned TO
him, and he was In this sense a general favor.
1 lt HIS OCCASIONAL wild statements flights Of
attributed to his natural temperament and
previous education. and were easily forgiven.
Indeed. be was never taken for a deep rea eoner
or sound philosopher. but rather enjoyed as
u fine stage performer.
During his last year rs a lecturer a Ch ange
bad set in whiCh was noticed, criticised and
blamed both by priests and laltv. He had
fallen into the habit Of making uncalled-for
ri It's works We are not ri in the habit of doing ing
this ourselves, and we ind ii quite enough to
explain Catholic doctrine to oiir people with
cut wasting time In berating those who differ
thought that something 80 unusual must be a
symptom OF something wrong. and freely crit
cised IT,, Such criticism I had heard fire.
que ptly. long before The rlmors were act ahoat
p regard to Mr.. AdamS's domestic trou bles.
Adams OF former years, II may have been a
SYMPTOM OF the cause that worked later
effects
!, His relative" therefore. may rest assured
han the Catholic clergy Of the utter insi ynlf-
'ance OF Mr.. Adams's career and doctrines"
rs against the cause of the Catholic religion"
70 there are none more ready. and from their
his. present condition. whatever be its cause;
md all who knew him. Catholic and Protestant,
will. am sure join In the hope of this -rela-
I've that he may be man and return to his
luties in his family" &, s. A.
RnCuFSTPR Nnv