Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-09-23
CARDINAL GIBBONS
Returns Home from the Con-
clave at Rome.
Speaks With Enthusiasm of the Newly
Elected Pope.
But Refuses to Discuss the Probable
Policy Of the New Regime.

New York, Sept. 22.-Cardinal GID
bOns arrived here. today, on the KAISER
Wilhelm der Crosse. A delegation Oh
priests and laymen from Baltimore
went down the bay on revenue cutter
to greet him and welcome him home.
1t was originally arranged that the
pier to Baltimore. The plans were
modified, however, on account of the
annual convention of odd Fellows now
in progress there. The cardinal Will
remain in this city a guest at the nome
of Mrs. Kelly of Brooklyn, until Fri
day, when he will accompany the dele
cation home.
When the welcoming party boarded
the Kaiser Wilhelm off quarantine, X.
=. Tippett, supreme president OF the
Catholic Benevolent Legion, adopted an
address of welcome to which the car
dinal briefly responded. Another re-
ception awaited the prelate when he
went ashore at Hoboken.
The cardinal said the occasion and
trip had recuperated his strength
which had been greatly taxed by the
severe spell of fever he suffered, due to
the intense heat in Rome during the
progress of the conclave.
OF the new Pontiff the cardinal spoke
in terms of the greatest enthusiasm
He said that the choice of the conclave
had been most happy from an Ameri-
can viewpoint, as Pius was deeply
interested in the development of the
church in this country and was singu
larly familiar with American institu-
tons. The cardinal had several lengthy
interviews with the Pope regarding
church affairs in this country
He spoke of the democracy of the
Pontiff, saying that his reign would be
marked by the breaking down of the
|exclusiveness which has heretofore
prevailed at the Vatican. OF the SIM
plicity' and spirituality of the Popes
character he spoke with great feeling
and said throughout Italy Plus was re-
nowned for his charitable work and his
deep interest in the welfare of the poor
The cardinal was not inclined to dis
cuss the probable policy of the new re-
gime, but said that no radical changes
in sAmerican church administration
would ensue.
sAsked about the possibility of another
h
Cardinal Gibbons answered.: There
will another cardinal. 1t would not
surprise me to see the number of Amer
lean cardinals augmented in the neal
future. But there is absolutely nc
truth i'm the cabled statement that Tho
Pope purposes to create q patriarChate
for the Occdent. The statement is
ridiculous"
Mr.. Tippet asked why it was the car
dinal was not elected Pope.
For the same reason the church
man retorted that Grover cleveland
was not elected the second time he ran
He did not get enough votes"
Cardinal Gibbons replied to the adj
dress of welcome in part as follows:
Mr.. President and members of tho
anticipate any such welcome as has
been rendered me and therefore | have
no adequate reply to make to these
kind and cordial words of greeting.
have reason to believe that the Catholic
Benevolent Legion does hold me il
that kind regard of which l have JUS
been assured, for | have been associat
ed with the legion during the entire
period of my arch episcopal service il
Baltimore. You have been pleased tt
refer to the date of my ordination
Those We're dark and troublesome days
My ordination was almost cOincident
with the beginning of the Civil war anG
every fresh state that left the Uniol
brought Il fresh pang to my heart
Continuing the cardinal said that a
inn, ], 1,.l rttt IN,
his head in the North.
Concerning the probable relations be.
tween the new Pope and the Italian
government Cardinal Gibbons said:
THE Pope, as patriarch of Venice
was on very. friendly terms with the
King. but what man does when he is
Il mere private in the ranks, so to
speak, and when he is elevated tC
power and responsibility are wholly
different things. What Plus X. will
do in this matter is, of course un-
known. You may rely upon it, how
ever. there will be no sudden change.
These things are not done in way to
attract attention. If a change does
take place it will be a gradual change:
the frendliness between the Vatican
and the Quirinal will grow. Plus X. is
not the patriarch of Venice, and while
he may retain his friendly feelings for
the King these feelings will cause no
sudden change of Papal policy, but will
probably in the course of time bring
about improved relationship and a
better state of things. The King, / be-
liere. is influenced by very kindly feel
ings toward the Pope