The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-08
AMERICAN PEOPLE
LIVING TOO FAST
Cardinal Gibbons Talks on the
Existing Conditions
AGE OF EXTRAVAGANCE
The Cardinal Snys Americans Are APP
preaching Reproduction of Age In
Which Romans Lived Before
Fall of Their City

New York, August 7.-(SpeciaL )-Thai
we are closely approaching a reproduc
ton of the age of extravaganza and In
| lived Just before their city was destroyed
is the belief of Cardinal Gibbons. He
made that plain In an interview today
Cardinal Gibbons is spending a few
weeks with Father James F. O'Hara OF
| Southampton, L. l. 1t was on the
broad veranda of Father O'Hara's home
that the cardinal received the reporter.
'Since you have taken the trouble to
come to see me-" he said with the cour-
tesy that is so closely part of his SIM
plicity OF manner II am pleased to see
you. But you see I am down here for a
little rest. 1 would prefer not to enter
into any discussions just at this time
As the cardinal talked Southampton
cottagers flashed by in autos and car
riages.
II think we are very closely approach
ing the age of extravaganza and inor-
dinate pleasure enjoyed by Rome just
before the fall" said the cardinal. The
cry today is for more and more riches.
The rich man is greedy for more. He
seems never to have enough to satisfy
his DESIRE 1t is the same with the we'll
to-do. The cry Is the same every
where
Then there is the desire for inordinate
pleasures. 1--WE have many more channels
of pleasure than there were In the days
of Augustus Caesar, yet there is the
desire for new pleasures and for greater
enjoyment
II have been told that many people
mortgage their homes to buy automo-
biles If we did not have the automobile
there would be not the desire to mort
each new pleasure brings its demand
and its toll"
When the cardinal was asked what he
thought would be the result of this con-
dition of extravaganza he replied:
II believe the Gospel OF Christ will
save the situation. There was no Christ
you remember, to save Rome. 1 hope
the people will see their folly and realize
the true situation The spirit of self
denial, unselfishness and love, the prin-
ciples of Christs teachings, will be
practiced by the people then more largely
and will save us where Rome could not
be saved
This great desire for riches is making
people very selfish" he went on with
deep earnestness. IT do not speak OF
individuals for we have many generous
ones among the rich, but 1 wish that
more of them would be little less selfish
and a little more considerate for the I'M
fortunate"
The cardinal spoke of the great ex-
travagances of women and added signifi-
cantly that the women of Rome were
very extravagant, too. AS to the COM
parative degrees of happiness enjoyed by
the rich and by the poor Cardinal Glib
bons mentioned the European peasants
who live on simple food with much
contentment and who have good appe-
tites and good digestions, which, he
added, cannot be said of all the rich
men of this country.
do YOU mean Mr.. Rockefeller" was
asked.
"Oh. there are several" replied the
cardinal cuavely. Smiliny, he told the
old story of the peasant and the noble
man who met in a wood. The peasant
asked What are you in search OF at
this hour9s'
II came out here. my man, In search
of an appetite replied the nooleman
And your
ct came out here in search of some
thing to satisfy my appetite" replied
the peasant
After ALL" said the cardinal rising.
nothing pays so good returns as good
health"