Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-10-26
EDITORS AND OTHERS PAY TRIBUTE TO M0NSGN0R W. J. SL0CU

sesssssAaassseeassaNes NessAsssssssAns~ [ movement since his coming among us in which he did not take an earn est and vital interest. His influence in bringing many of these hopes to fruitIon was great because of the absolute confidence the community had in him.
 He was a tireless worker. and his burdens were heavier than they should have been because his great popularity brought them upon him. but he never complained, at least until he began to feel his strength failing. It is seen clearly enough now, when 1t Is. alas, too late. that he should have been less prodigal In the expenditure of his vitality for others.
 It is no common sorrow--no per functory attitude of mourning that Is to-day exhibited all over Con necticut. A priest or other public man often commands respect and ad- miration for whom his community has no deep affection. But Father Slocum's hold on people was as much the product of heart as of brain, and the brightest leaves of the chaplets which Catholic. Protes- tant and Jew will weave about hiA memory are those fragrant with the perfume of unaffected love.
 We are sure, could the great and noble spirit that has gone, speak again to his friends and neighbors he would tell us that he valued that sort of tribute more than the richest stores of material fortune or the highest honors of church or state that could be heaped upon him. Waterbury Republican.
 By the death of the Rev. Father Slocum the Catholic diocese in this state loses one of It's ablest priests and the city of Waterbury, where he resided, suffers the loss of clergy man who was beloved by people of all classes and of all religious denom- nations. The beautiful tributes to his memory so feelingly expressed not only by those of his own faith but also by the Protestant ministers and Protestant laymen of Waterbury, show how highly esteemed and great ly beloved was this saintly man whose performance of his priestly work cemented the best of good feel ing between the Catholics and other denominations of the city. Father Slocum has been a successful and in defatlgable worker in the ministry and there are in Waterbury to-day a number of monuments to his pro- gressiveness and zeal. His death is mourned not only by the people of Waterbury but by the people of all communities who knew what good priest, beloved pastor and respected and patriotic citizen he was.--Nau- gatuck News.
 No printed page bears record of the influence for good which Mon- signor Slocum exerted in Waterbury and all over the state. His personal ity was magnetic. his heart big. full of sunshine and patriotism. He loved his country and was intensely loyal to all It's best interests. He was one of the broadest minded and fairest minded men of large influence this state has ever known. We do not think any citizen of Connecticut ever possessed such large influence and certainly none ever made such thoughtful. bravely patriotic and conscientious use of 1t, Who that heard him will ever forget that splendidly patriotic address Monsig- nor Slocum made at the chamber of commerce dinner a few years ago, following Rev Dr Haynes who had expressed some anxiety about the future of this great country. Mon signor slocum spoke as impulse prompted, but his words were heard all over New England. It is impos- sible to estimate the loss of such men, just as impossible as it Is 10 appreciate their worth when they live. Who that knew Monsignor slocum will ever forget his gracious bearing, his kindly greeting, his in tense Americanism. his inspiring optimism. his simple faith? Every body loved Monsignor Slocum. They couldn't help 1t, and he gave abun- dant reason for such affection. His sympathies were always broad and tender, his temperament singularly sweet and inspiring. He believed it the duty of men of different religious faith to work together for the com mon good, and proved 1t by his works. Who will ever forget the splendid work done by Monsignor Slocum and Hon N. D. Sperry in this city when 1t was proposed to take the Bible out of the common schools? Slocum and Sperry fought that prop osition arm and arm and they fought | it so well and their victory was so overwhelming that never again has that issue been raised in this city or anywhere in Connecticut. Monsig- nor Slocum's whole life was a life of we'll doing, wonderful helpfulness. inspiring sweetness and purity. The cause of good citizenship never had a warmer champion, the cause of religion never had stronger and more successful worker. We have all lost a true friend,-New Haven Leader.
 A great many citizens of the state of Connecticut, who never came un- der the priestly Administrations of
 her Slocum of Waterbury, will mourn his death equally with those who knew him both as man and a priest. Through sheer force of char iacter and faithful service to the church, which he dignided by his connection with 1t, he rose to dis tinguished official position in 1t, and