The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1903-12-19

, treme In their views that they forbid
loyal Catholics to vote at elections.
Rnmpolla is not only great power
in the Church and one Of the ablest
statesmen Of this age, but is held re-
sponsible for the policy Of the holy
sec during the last seventeen years
while he was secretary of state. Car
dinal Sarto had been counted among
the reconciliationists for many years,
and is the only member Of the sacred
college who was personally acquaint-
cd with the late King Humbert and
enjoyed similar relations with the
present king, Victor Emmanuel IIf.
This, however. is due to peculiar
circumstances ns we'll MS to his indie
pendent spirit and his habit Of acting
upon his own Judgment. AS long ago
as the fourth century the pope grant
ed scmi-independence in spiritual
things to the Republic Of Venice in
cluding tho right to choose patriarch
for the government Of the diocese,
who should enjoy almost papal dig
nifty and the highest ecclesiastical jur-
isdiction. superior to TINT Of primate,
metropolitan or archbishop. The King
dom Of Italy, being the successor of
the Republic Of Venice claimed the
ancient right to select the patriarch,
and In 1893. when Cardinal Sarto was
appointed to fill vacancy in that Of
flee by tho pope, King Humbcrt re-
fused to recognize him. and n long
controversy followed which ended in
n triumph for Sarto. who in the mean
time had been exercising the duties of
tho office and had won the confidence
and respect Of the civic officials. They
recommended his recognition on the
ground TINT no better man could be
found for the place. Sarto naturally
| appreciated the compliment. and dur
| ing the last ten years has maintained
cordial and even intimate relations
with the civil authorities at Venice.
although he has never attempted to
| Interfere in politics in any way.
A year or so after this episode King
7umbcrt went to Venice to meet the
emperor Of Germany. and in anticipa-
tion Of that event Cardinal Sarto in.
formed the officials of the Vatjcon Of
his intention to pay his respects to
the king. The suggestion was not re-
roivrd with favor by. Leo XIII. and
Cardinal Rnmpolla sent him hint
that such recognition of the civil
power was unwise and incxpedient,
and that It would be more polite for
him to make it convenient to be absent
from Venice as long as the sovereigns
were In that city. Sarto thought diff
fcrcntly. and without further consulta-
tion with the Vatican. upon his own
responsibility, carried out his original
intention and paid formal visits to the
emperor and the king, which were re-
turned by both of them.
This incident created decided SEN
satfon. The public expected that the
cardinal would be rebuked for the act
and admonished not to repeat It. but
1t is understood that Rampolla avoid.
ed further reference to the matter. A
year or two later, when King Humbert
and Queen Margherita visited Venice
to witness the launching Of a cruiser.
Cardinal Sarto not only again ex-
changed formal visits with them. but
nccepted an invitation from the min
lister Of marine to participate in the
ceremonies. He blessed the new shin.
standing upon the same platform with
the king and civil officials, and attend
ed banquet and other functions given
in their honor.
Two months before the death of Leo
XIII the present king, Victor Emman-
uel ILL., went to Venice to open the an
nual exposition Of northern Italy.
Cardinal Sarto again participated in
the formal proceedings. BY order of
the king he was given precedence over
Ill civil officials, and came next after
the king and queen themselves. When
he called at the palace to pay his re.
spects to the king the. latta,:; q.,,.a.....s