Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-05

IL the President would express preference
between the several American candidates
for cardinals but, as told you the other
day, has not succeeded in drawing him out.
He Is aware, however, that the President
and Archbishop Ireland are personal friends
and belong to the same political organiza-
ton. which does not injure the latter 8
chances
Plus x may not be politician or diplo
mat, as has been truthfully said of him,
but 1t Is a surprising circumstance that he
has much more accurate idea of American
politics and much clearer comprehension
of our constitutional provisions than was
even shown by his predecessor. NoLwith-
standing his great learning, wisdom and ex-
preciate the intricacies Of popular govern
ment as 1t exists In the United States. As
for example, he always believed that the
assassinations of Lincoln, Garfield and Nc
uneducated classes in our politics, and con-
sidered universal suffrage dangerous lib
erty. He was a thorough aristocrat by
birth, education and sympathy, while Plus
X is thorough democrat for the same
reasons.
Italy's Greatest Man.
Cardinal Rampolla, with all his ability
and learning, has the same difficulty that
Leo XIII experienced and has never been
able to comprehend our system of govern
ment. Although he has many enemies and
Is the object of widespread hostility and
prejudice, Mariana Rampolla Is still the
greatest man in Italy, and one of the ablest
statesmen of his generation. He has never
had superior in the conduct Of the vast
affairs of the church, and, while outside
events over which he could have no con-
troll may have had much to do with 1t, his
administration was infinitely more success
full, as it was more statesmanlike, than that
of AntOnelli, the famous premier Of Plus TX
There was no scandal during Rampolla' 9
tnrrr ne N(E3 ND
during the sixteen years while he was Sec
rotary of state the Catholic Church made
greater progress than during the two CEN
turtles previous. He suffered much criticism
because he sustained the republic OF France
against the conspiracies of the monarchists
and was rewarded by a series Of hostile
laws from the French chamber of deputies;
but he did the only practical thing that
could be done, and 1t was manifestly impos-
sible for him to check the anti-church ten
denotes OF the French politicians. They
were directed not only against Catholicism,
but against all forms OF religion. This is
an age OF irreverence in France. The man
ner and the reason Of Rampolla's defeat
in the recent papal election are the highest
tribute to his ability. He is the only car
dinal in the sacred college whom the great
powers OF Europe fear.
Since he left the suite OF apartments SO
long occupied by him in the Vatican Car
dinal Rampolla has been living quietly in
the modest villa called Santa Marta, behind
tue SdtHSuTdl OF ST. refer D. OF winch ne ID
still the archpriest. and is abiding his time.
When l called upon him there the other
night he made me think of wounded lion,
but his wounds are healing rapidly, and his
conduct since the conclave has been so
dignifled and discreet that it has increased
his influence and the admiration which hon.
orable men have for him. His relations
WIN the new pope are those OF perfect mu-
tual confidence. They understand each
other. While they doubtless do not agree
upon many important questions. Plus X
recognizes Rampollas ability and learning
and the value of his experience and
has called him into conference more fire.
quently than any other cardinal. Ram
polla made no advances. He waited until
the invitation came and then accepted It
with loyal promptness and perfect candor.
He and Cardinal Oreslia, the aged dean Of
the sacred college. were the only persons
consulted concerning the wisdom and pro-
priety Of appointing SO young a man as
Merry del Val as secretary of state, and
am sure Cardinal Rampolla took the great
est pleasure in commencing the fitness Of
his protege for that important office.
Austria Defeated Rampolla.
Rampolla's splendid personality would
make him a conspicuous figure anywhere,
and the strength Of his character II seen In
his face. Rampolla would have been elect
ed pope but for the Intervention Of Austria
According to an ancient concession the
states formerly composing the holy Roman
empire have the veto power over the cleo
ton of pope, and when Charles was
emperor Of the world he conferred the same
authority upon Spain, his native country.
This authority was exercised at the con-
clave which elected Gregory XIV the pred
ecessor OF Plus TX. The government OF
Spain protested and prevented the election
OF cardinal named Justiniani, who had
offended Ferdinand VII while nuncio at
Madrid.
On the third day Of the late conclave
Rampolla had thirty-one votes. He needed
forty-one. which is two-thirds and one more
Of the sacred college, and when 1t was evil
dent that the other ten ballots would be
cast for him very shortly Cardinal Gruscha,
archbishop Of Vienna and senior Austrian
cardinal. arose and presented a telegram
from Emperor Francis Joseph. which had
been passed In to him by Count Czecsen,
Austro-Hungarian ambassador to the holy
see This was on Sunday August 2. The
veto was not entirely unexpected, for the
enmity of the Austrians for Rampolla was
well known, yet it created a profound sem
sation. and suddenly concluded Cardinal
Rampolla's campaign, although his admir-
ers continued to vote for him to the end.