New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-17

ran audited by a fresh nand. AS a sagacious
sovereign and a loyal Catholic, moreover, he
respected the presidents which with few ezcep-
,ions have excluded secretaries of state from
the Papal succession on the ground that they
had too many opportunities for comforting favors
and promotions upon future electors in the
Sacred College
One or possibly two Emperors have peen in
strunental in defeating the favorite candidate
NJ France Spain and Southern Italy. They have
not carried into the Vatican candidate of the
rripIe Alliance, but have cut short the halloting
and accelerated concentration upon the Patriarch
Of Venice, who had not excited enmities in any
quarter and was acceptable TO all the groups.
Some Of the Rampollists are so indiscreet as to
refer to Plus x a Protestant Pope created
by the German Emperor as the head Of the
Triple Alliance. If that were true, the new Pope
would enter the Vatican under fatal embarrass-
rnents, and there would be the most unpropitious
auguries for a useful and successful reign. In
reality Plus Y reigns because his colleagues
turned toward him with one consent as pre-emi-
nenty fitted for the responsibilities of the great
est Office in the gift OF the princes of the Church
He has not been designated as the Austrian can
didate. or the German choice, or as an anti
French Pope. He is not under any obligations
10 sovereigns, embassies or factions OF the
Sacred College. He has the tolerant habits OF
mind. innate force of character and indepen-
dence Of view which will enable him to direct the
destinies OF the Church with sobriety Of Jucg-
ment and enlightened sagacity. AS non-poiiu-
cal Pope he is likely to be practical reforfner'
He may be either a safe Conservative or a pro-
gressive Liberal, but with his highly developed
individuality and dignity of character be can
never be vacillating trimmer nor anything eN-
cept a sovereign Pope.
It is an intensely human figure which by the
grace of the Sacred College, and indirectly with
the adventurous aid of the aged Austrian En-
peror, now reigns in the Vatican AS Archbishop
and Cardinal he has retained the homely man
ners Of the parish priest and now that ale Is
Pope he wears a nickel watch at the end of
cheap silk guard and speaks with the unaffected
simplicity of a peasants son. He shrinks IN
stinctively from the traditional homage OF the
Vatican retinue. and wishes TO have ceremonial
and etiquette dispensed with so far as may be
possible He embraces cardinals who attempt
10 kiss his hands and feet. and seeks TO set an
example of humility in relaxing the rigorous
etiquette which has been established during
recent reigns. He talks Familiarity, yet without
sacrificing his dignity. whenever he is ap-
proeched by cardinals and officials, and he dis
likes 10 dine alone in solemn state or to be rev.
erenced and wellnigh worshipped superior
being whose common clay has been transmitted
to gold by his translation from Venice to the
Vatican Ths peasant Pope at the opening Of
his reign is eager TO establish new order of
democratic simplicity at the Vatican. based
upon the sovereignty of the Fisherman's Ring.
Probably his ardor viii be chilled when he dis
covers how ready every one is to fall down and
kiss his feet; but he can hardly fail to be a very
human Pope. l. n +.