The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1908-04-04
OUR VENERABLE wEARER OF THE
RED ROBE.
BY OAK ALLEN WILEY.

When the June days of 1911 arrive,
the Catholic Church of the United
States will celebrate the only event
of the kind that has ever occurred in
this country-the silver anniversary
of cardinal, for three years hence
James Cardinal Gibbons will have
been prince of the Church" for
twenty-five years. Although he has
passed the seventieth milestone of his
life, he is so hardy and vigorous des-
pite his age that he bids fair to wear
the crimson many years longer.
To speak of Cardinal Gibbons is to
speak of a prelate who is probably
more esteemed by those outside of his
own faith than any other American
who wears the garb of religion, while,
needless to say, he is the leader OF
the American Catholic Church not
only because he is cardinal, but be-
cause of the affection and reverence
with which he is held. He is an
illustration of how man may Set an
example of not only piety but charity
and patriotism by the course of his
daily life, and it is this example that
has caused him to attain such popu-
larity with Catholic, Protestant, Jew
and Gentle.
Americanism is his distinctive trait,
the keynote of his popularity, but
AmsTieanism. issa s..s !s. term thatz can be
preach it, but do not live up to their
doctrines. His friends and "fellow-
citizens" in Baltimore know that Car
dinal Gibbons is not merely demo-
cratic in his ideas, but in his daily
life. Despite his exalted position he
has been in touch with humanity of
all sorts since the holy Office of the
priesthood was bestowed upon him.
And, although his career, especially
since he became the exponent of
Catholicism in America, has given
him much publicity, it is safe to say
that few men in the public eye have
been more correctly gauged. In this
respect there is a striking parallel be-
tween the head of the Catholic Church
in America and the present head of
the American government. Yet his
sphere of activity has been narrow so
far as personal presence is concerned !;
his labors as priest and bishop have
been confined to only three states.
During the later years of his career
he has remained III Baltimore and
vicinity almost continually except for
a brief retirement in summer at some
quiet spot or an occasional visit to his
brother, a merchant in New Orleans.
Of course he is called to consecrate
some church or bestow the garb Of
office on some newly chosen prelate,
but these functions seldom take the
Cardinal from his home city.
Almost within the shadow of the
first and most impressive monument
dedicated to the Father OF His
Country" stands the Cardinals resi-
dence. From the window of his study
the stately granite shaft is plainly
within view. The residence fronts
on the main thoroughfare of the city,
called after the first name of Charles
Calvert, and this is His Eminence's S
favorite route when out for a stroll,
leading as it does through the beauti'
full place of Mount Vernon and past
the Washington shaft. But you may
meet him in the heart of the business
district, or perchance far out in the
suburbs. Controlling the church prop
erty in the diocese, he must frequently
consult his attorney, visit the banks,
or call at the counting room on the
business of the church, and the weather
must be inclement that prevents him
from going afoot. In fact, walking
is as enjoyable to him as the chop
ping of trees was to Mr.. Gladstone.
To this exercise he owes much of the
vigor and vivacity which is SO char
actertistic of him despite his years
and the strain of mental occupations.
Seldom a day passes that he is not
seen on the street, the spare figure,
hut slightly bent as yet, the features
still tinged with the glow of health,
and the eyes, undimmed and without
artificial aid, for His Eminence dons
glasses only when reading or writing
His attire is exceedingly plain-s
black overcoat, of weight according
to the season, a silk hat rather broad
at the brim, and the ever present cane
form its distinguishing features. A:
he meets friend he may stop for 9
hand grasp and moments chat. A
graceful bow greets the lady parish
ioner he next encounters. The sa
lutte of the stranger is acknowledged
with tip of the hat. Even the po
liceman on his beat receives smile
It is doubtful if any man or woman
in town does not know him by sight
and 1t is custom peculiar to the city
for everyone to salute him-not al
ways as the Cardinal Archbishop, bu
as Cardinal Gibbons, the citizen. Yes
| His Eminence is verv human in th2