The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-04-09


friends are many Catholics. The re-
spect and regard of those of my fell
Ow Americans who are Catholics are
as dear to me as the respect and re-
gard Of those who are Protestants. On
my journey through Africa l visited
many Catholic as we'll as many Pro-
testant missions
"As 1 look forward to telling the
people at home all that has been done
by Protestants and Catholics alike, as
| saw 1t. in the field Of missionary en-
deavor. II would cause me a real pain
to have anything said or done that
would hurt or give pain to my
friends. whatever their religious be-
lief.
'But. any merely personal codsid-
erations are of no consequence in this
matter. The important consideration
is the avoidance of harsh and bitter
comment, such as may excite mlstrust
and anger between and among good
men.
THE more an American sees Of 9TH
er countries, the more profound must
be his feelings of gratitude that in his
own land there is not merely COM
plete liberation, but the heartiest
good will and sympathy between sin
cere and honest men of different
faiths-good will and sympathy so
complete that in the innumerable
daily relations of our American life,
Catholics and Protestants meet to-
gether and work together without
thought of the difference of creed be-
ing even present In their minds.
This is a condition so vital to our
national we'll being that nothing
should be permitted to jeopardize it,
Bitter comment and criticism, acri-
m0nious attacks and defense are not
only profitless, but harmful, and to
seize upon such an incident as this.
as an occasion for controversy would
be wholly indefensible and should be
frowned upon by Catholics and Pro
testants alike. and all good Ameri-
cans"
The failure to arrange an audience
between ex-President Roosevelt and
the pope, which was known only in
certain circles today, is expected to
create tremendous stir here as well
as abroad. far overshadowing the in-
portance of the incident in which for
mer Vice President Fairbanks was
principal. Although the negotiations
were technically between Ambassador
Leichman and Mgr Kennedy, it is
well understood in Rome that Mgr.
Kennedy was acting under the in
structions Of Cardinal Merry del Val.
The kilograms, therefore, were in
reality between ex-President Roose-
velt and the papal secretary of state.
When the correspondent called at
the vatican this evening great sur
prise was expressed when it was
learned that Mr.. Roosevelt had given
out the text of the messages exchang-
ed by Mgr. Kennedy and the Ameri-
can ambassador as they were regard
ed by the vatican in the light Of dip
lomatic documents.
Mgr. Kennedy explained that on
March 21 John w. Garret, first secre-
tary of the embassy. called upon him
to transmit Mr.. Roosevelt's request
for an audience with the pontiff on
April .. He said that Mr.. Garret in
sisted upon the word transmit" Mgr
Kennedy informed the secretary that
he would Immediately present the re-
quest TO the proper vatican authori-
ties and promised a response as soon
as possible.
"The following day" said Mgr
Kennedy, 81 was authorized to send
Mr.. Roosevelt the first message, which
is quoted in his statement. The ref
ence to the Fairbanks incident in the
message was intended by the vatican
only as friendly intimation. ] notice
that my second message is not fully
given. 1t ran thus:
Ills holiness will be much pleas
cd TO grant an audience to Mr.. Roose-
Welt for whom he entertains great es-
teem, both personally and as presl-
dent of the United States. His holi-
ness quite recognizes Mr.. Roosevelts
entire right to freedom Of conduct.
on the other hand in view Of the cir
cumstances for which neither his
holiness nor Mr.. Roosevelt Is respon-
Sible, an audience could not occur ex-
copt In the understanding expressed
In the former message
After this no further communica-
tiOn reached me from Mr.. RoosevoIt -