The daily morning journal and courier., 1903-08-10
CORONATION OF POPE PLUS
5O,OOO PEOPLE WITNESS MAG NIFICENT CEREMONY.

Terriho Rush to St. Pster's-Many
 Women Faint and some 1len Are Overcome by fhe neat and Crush Pope Goes Through E1haustipg Orr
 deal welI-PIaeing of she Triple ! Crown on Ills Head.
 Rome. Aug. 9.-The ceremony of the
 coronation of Pope Plus X took place to-
 day in the Basilica of St Peters in the
 presence of the princes and high digni-
 taries of the church, diplomats and Ro-
 man nohles and with all the solemnity
 and solendor associated with this, the
 most magnificent rite in the Roman Catholic church.
 As Cardinal Macchi. the dean of the
 cardinal-deacons. placed the triple
 crown on the head of the venerable
 pontiff the throng of 5O.0OO persons gathered within the cathedral burst into
 unrestrained acclamations the choir in
 toned a hymn a triumph and the bells O. Rome rang out a joyful peal. It is Efty-seven years since the Ro-
 mans and Europe assisted at such a function in St. Peters. The great Ba- silica, popularity supposed never to have been quite full, was overflowing with
 humanity. The papal throne, a bewil- dering mixture of gold. red and silver was erected in front of the high altar.
 As. contrary to custom on these cere-
 monious occasions, there were no galler- ies, the Basilica bore more of it's normal aspect. On the altar, dressed in white, stood the famous silver gilt candle sticks and a magnificent crucifix. All the available standing space within the cathedral was divided into sections by
 wooden barriers, which to a certain ex- text kept the crowd in order. When the doors were opened the in-
 rush was terrific; many who started
 from the bottom of the steps outside were lifted off their feet. and carried into the cathedral. It was great hu-
 man torrent let loose, thousands of peo- pie rushing, crushing and squeezing
 amid screams, protests, gesticulations and cries for help. But once in the whirlpool there was no escape and the
 compaetness of the crowd proved to be | the safety of those caught in 1t. Women l tainted in comparatively large numbers,
 and even men were overcome by the
 heat, but no serious accidents were re-
 ported. Fortunately there were very few children present. After their en- trace the people had further long hours of waiting, and it is computed that the
 majority were on their feet all together ten hours. five hourse before the cere- mony and another five hours while it | lasted.
 The central figure in the long cortege
 was Plus x borne in the dedia gestato- ria, his heavy white robes and the red and gold nlitre were worn without an effort, making a vivid contrast to those
 memorable occasions on which Pope Leo wore them, for Leo seemed always un-
 able to support their weight. Over the
 nontiff's head canopy was held by eight men, while the historic ostrich feather fans with peacock tips gave a. touch of the barbaric splendor to vest ern eyes.
 The pontiff was exceedingly pale but composed. The low ceiling sent back an exquisite echo of the "Tu Es Petrus" sung by the Sistine choir, whose voices
 were heard outside in the piazza of St.
 Peter's. Cardinal Rampolla advanced
 with dignity, krelt and kissed the foot of the pontiff. He then presented in a firm voice the wishes and greetings of the chapter of St. Peters, which he said
 "Offers an act of obedience to your holi-
 ness and wishes you a prosperous and
 glorious pontificate,'
 The cardinal recalled that the bodies of the first pope and St. Paul rest in the
 Basilica which fact, he said, was of good augury for the work of the new
 head of the church.
 Tie nontiff was visibly touched and answering in a trembling voice, warmly thanked the chapter. Good wishes" he said, are extremely precious"
 The procession then reformed and proceeded to the door of the Basilica, through which Plus X cast an almost terror stricken glance, whispering to Dr Lapponi Shall ever be able to go through with it?
 The people in the Basilica had mean time become very impatient and when the cleaning cross which preceded the cortege was seen it was greeted with great applause. On the appearance of the pontiff himself it seemed as though the people would seek to carry him in their arms, so great was their enthusi- asn. Cries of "Pius, our pope, our fla ther.'' and. Long live Plus X'' were raised. notwithstanding the large pla- cards posted all over the Basilica say ing "Acclamations are forbidden.'' Leaflets to the same effect were dis tributed among the crowd. The cries continued until the pontiff was compell- ed to rise and bless the multitude and a. the same time he made sign for more reverentiaI behavior. Silence was obtained when the choir announced ifs entrance with the resounding notes of the ''Ecce Sacredos Magus," which were accompanied by the sweet notes of the silver trumpets.s 4..g. ,-
 The scene presented to Piux X mount ing the throne formed a magnificent picture to which no pen could do justice.
 From the throne Plus X surrounded by his suite walked to the high altar, standing over the crypt of St. Peter, into which meanwhile Cardinal Macehi descended to pray.
 Returning from the crypt Cardinal Macchi placed upon the shoulders of the pope the pontifcial palliurn and attach ed it with three golden jeweled pins,