Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1911-12-15

tAXka ial functions at the
\SZ capital of the nation
This new event on
Uncle Sans calendar Of spectacles 10
known as tho Pan-American Thanks
giving Mass and il bids fair to ere
long take rank in significance and
popular interest with the presidents
annual New Years reception at the
White House and other similar fx-
lures. Even at the outset this event
vies with any Of the other gatherings
as a spectacle. The presence Of high
church dignitaries in their most gor-
geous robes of state and the participa-
ton of the diplomats from all the
'Latin-American countries In their
court dress. with uniforms adorned in
many instances with jeweled decora-
lions. contributes TO panorama Of
pomp and glitter.
II is rather difficult to trace the ex-
act origin and development of the
idea for this unique new international
Thanksgiving service, but Mgr. Will
lam T.. Russell pastor Of st. Pat
rick's church at Washington, is gen.
orally given credit for the evolution
OF the plan in its present form. st.
Patrick's has always been one Of the
"court churches" at the American seat
Of government and is well known by
reputation to almost all newspaper
readers as the scene of many memo
rial and commemorative services In
honor of deceased foreign rulers
whose American representatives have
been affiliated with this church.
However. many influences long at
work have combined to make this
service what II is. II has been more
readily practicable. Of course, from
the circumstance that practically all
of the diplomats stationed in the
United States In the service Of the
various republics Of Central and
South America are of one religious
faith-the Roman Catholic. Moreover.
the highest dignitaries Of the Catholic
church in this country. while respect
ing the American sentiment for a
strict separation of church and state,
are, naturally. disposed to encourage
close social and religious relations
with the aliens temporarily resident in
the United States as the accredited
agents of governments which by off,
cial action or In effect recognize the
Catholic as the state church
This new Thanksgiving service las
yet another significance as one Of sew
eral distinctly important factors
which have lately made their appear
ance. all looking to the cementing Of
closer social. trade and political rela-
lions between the various Independent
nations Of this continent In this re
spect It may be said to be making
common cause with the periodical
Pan-American congresses. the exten.
sion Of the activities of the Pan
American bureau at Washington. our
own governments specialization on
the subject as expressed in the new
division of Latin-American affairs at
the state department. and finally. the
latest project Of all-that for the or
ganization Of a Pan-American society
Of the United States with headquar-
tiers In New York and branches In all
the large cities. the projected rev
organization being one which will
hold relationship to Latin America
similar to that which the Pilgrims
society has with Great Britain and the
Japan society has with reference to
the Flowery Kingdom.
The Pan-American Thanksgiving
service depends, 1t is needless to say
for significance. upon the occasion
and the personnel of the cosmopolitan
congregation that occupies the re
served seats in the church rather thar
on the service itself as OF course Their,
are no innovations in the latter. Tn,
routine is that of the solemn higi
mass and save for the fact that tn,
church is decorated with flags and fes
toons Of bunting showing the inter
twined colors of the Pan-AmericaI
nations, and that there is a specia
sermon Of thanks for the continuation
of amicable relations among the re
publics OF the New World, there 4
little in the program or appointment
to bear witness of the meaning OF tn,
gathering. That the church, how
ever. desired to invest this specia
service with all the solemnity tina
may be infused is indicated by tn,