The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1908-07-11

a. John Chrysostom should naturally have been
the occasion of splendid ceremonies in St Peters. but
as that largest Christian church earth easily holds
some 10000 people at once, and crowd OF that size
would be practically uncomfortable in Of any sud
of violence the services were not held there al
all inside the Vatican palace where attendance was
necessarily limited that cards of admission could
be given out much strict knowledge to who
would them.
needless but events reported within that week seemed
to show that they merely prudent The anniver
sary of execution of Gorando Bruno Che was put to
death in 1900 for teaching unorthodox vews),
was made the of impassoned speeches by so
cast revolutionary orators in the where the
execution took place. 1t is mile or SO from the
Vatican Italians know Italians pretty WELL so the
of letting excited throng
move over the papal palace troops were sta
toned at various points head off attempt at in
cendiary demonstrations in that ne and at the Vatican
itself extra guards were detailed for duty
The Vatican ITSELF the greatest palace in the world.
seen times past its share of exciting experiences
but it is not actually likely that will see any more OF
the tragic sort American tourists in Rome have
pointed them certain long, covered passage
way, a sort of walled bridge leading crookedly down
from the papa palace to the ancient fortress by the
Tfber Castle of St Angelo In the middle
agss when the popes hand in European politics.
mosy than Peters Wears found that long,
useful path to the safe shelter of the
citadel all is different Nobody toutside half
civilized Russia) dreams of killing on heretics. And.
the other hand the longer controls European
politics would be only stupid piece of brutality for
any fanatic to attempt personal violence against the
present head Of the Catholic church
All the same. since good way to avoid trouble
prepared for trouble, the papal household in
the Vatican admirably organized for the security OF
great palace and its treasures and its occupants
And as at least In ten of all the people Of the
United sends money year to the Vatican
(not directly, but through church onerngs), 1t Is OF
know something about the maintenance Of the
establishment there the western limits OF
the historic city OF Rome.
As most people know, the palace is actually not one
building but huge, rambling group Of buildings The
adjoining park surrounded by high wall which once
upon time formed part of system of fortifcatons.
but which at merely looks imposing 1t could In
fact be demolished without the slightest difaculty II .
body of men wanted to make trouble.
Outside the main entrance to the palace on ST. Peters
square one sees a Italian poicemen-ordnarily no
great display of protection but just enough to remind
the passerby that spot has special importance And
curiousy enough Roman policemen practically
frontier guards the Vatican itself and its grounds
are not part of kingdom of Italy at ALL but under
the separate sovereignty OF the Inside the Vatican
doorvay the king of Italy has technically more au
tborty than Kaiser Wilhelm the president OF the
United States e. authority at all On the threshold
and in spacious corridor beyond are always stationed
certain defenders the palace household the famous
swiss guards They gayly clad-indeed their appear
ance suggests pageant rather than battlefield but
would not be safe infer that they are mere stage
sunernumeraries They have stern traditions OF heroisn
10 live ND to- 1927 band of just such guards wearing
lust snch gorgeous toggey held their ground LOT s1