Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-02-07
ROOM FOR ALL.
Former Vice President
Fairbanks at Rome
Addresses Methodists, Urging
Religious Tolerance.
His Visit Brings About a Very
Delicate Situation.

Rome, Feb. 6-The visit OF Charles
w. Fairbanks, the former Vice Presi-
dent of the United States, to Rome
brought about q very delicate situa-
tion owing to the fact that he wished
to pay his respects to the King, the
Pope and the American Methodist
church. Such incidents are not lnfre-
quent and extreme care has to be eX-
erciSed by those upon the arrange
mentS of the audiences falls, To avoid
offending the susceptibilities oil either
side.
by tactful arrangement Mr.. FAIR
banks audience with King Victor En-
manuel was fixed for Saturday, and
that with the Pope for Monday, and
Wien everything seemed satisfactorily
planned, the Vatican suddenly an
nounced that it would he impossible
for His Holiness to receive the former
Vice President, if he carried out his
announced intention to speak in the
American Methodist church here, be-
cause the Methudists had been active
IN prnselyting among the Catholics.
Negotiations We're Immediately be-
gan with view to avoiding any I'M
pleasantness which might give rise to
misconceptions. Mr. Fairbanks finally
declared that although he was Animal
ed by a strong desire to pay his re-
spects to the head of the Catholic
church. whose followers had piayed
such an important part as good Ameri-
can citizens, he could not withdraw
from his promise to deliver an address
before the American Methodist church.
l.
can College, gave a dinner at noon in
honor of Mr.. Fairbanks. The hall was
decorated with American flags Anlcng
those present We're 144 American stu
dents, the largest body of Americans
that has attended the institution Ms".
Kennedy toasted the former Vice PreSi-
dent.
Mr.. Fairbanks in responding gave a
toast to the Christian church, making
no distinction of denomination. He de-
clared that the Catholic church had
accomplished great things for God ana
humanity, while past prejudices against
the Catholics had entirely disappeared,
for they We're ever at the front when
the intregity of the country needed to
be defended or its dignity 10 be upheld.
AT the American Methodist church,
MI Fairbanks address acquired ex-
ceEtional Importance because of the
incident with the Vatican, and it is
looked upon as his final answer to the
conditions imposed upon him relative
to his audience with the Pope. During
the course Of this address, he said:
1t is impossible to emphasize too
strongly the good work the Christian
church is doing in all lands and
amongst all nationalities. 1t is graft
flying that the American churches es-
tabliahcd in all countries are assert
ing wider Influence today than ever
in their history.
1.-The agitation going on in the polit-
zeal. social and economic world is due
to Christianity breaking down the
casts and nrejudices and lifting man
kind to a higher plane. The democrat
ic idea which is taking root in political
institutions is due to the expanding in
fiuence of Christianity.
"All Christian churches are worthy
of support. They above all should be
inspired by Il generous tolerant spirit
towards each other. There is room for
all Cease the narrow UNCONVENTIONAL
wars and direct your energies toward
the common enemy. Let the Catholics
and the Protestants Of all denomina-
tons vie with each other in carrying
forward the work of the Master. which
is worthy of the best in them all"