The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1911-06-07
CARDINAL GIBBONS 'EULoGIZEO
BY NOTABLE LEADERS OF THE
NATION YESTERDAY.
.HFT|ETH YEAR Of ORDINATION
Among Those Lauding Cardinal Glib
bons Were President Taft, Mr.
Roosevelt. Justice White and Champ
Clark-Cardinal Address.

Baltimore, Md. June cardinal
Gibbons delivered an address today on
the occasion of the civic celebration in
honor of the 50th anniversary of his
ordination TO the priesthood and the
25th anniversary of his elevation to
the cardinalate. He said:
Il am flied with emotion of graft
tude by this extraordinary manifesto
ton on the part of my fellow citizens,
with out distinction of race or religion
or condition OF life, and | am over
whelmed with confusion by the unmer-
tied encomiums which have been pro-
nounced by the president of the Unit
ed States, the wee president, the chief
justice of the United States. the form
er president, the speaker of the house
of representatives, the governor of
Maryland and the mayor of Baltimore.
Gentlemen. You have portrayed
your subject, not, fear, as he is, but
as he should be. But your portrait is
so attractive that it shall be my en-
deavor to resemble it more and more
every day of the few years that re
main TO me. One merit only I can
truly claim. and that is, an ardent love
for my native country and her politi-
cal institutions. Ever since / entered
the scored ministry, my aim has been
to make those over whom | eXerted
any influence, not only more upright
Christians, but also more loyal citi-
zen. For, the most faithful Christion
makes the best citizen.
Il consider the republic of the Unit
ed States, one of the most precious
heirlooms ever bestowed on mankind
down the ages, and that it is the duty,
and should be the delight of every cit
izen to strengthen and perpetuate our
government by the observance of its
laws, and by the integrity of his pri-
vate life. righteousness says the Book
of Proverbs. 'eXalteth a nation, but sin
is reproach to the people
'If our government is destined to be
enduring, it must rest on the eternal
principles of justice, truth and right
eousness, and these principles must
have for their sanction the recognition
OF a supreme being who created all
things by His power. who governs
them by His wisdom, and whose super
intending providence watches over the
affairs of nations and of men.
When the trainers of our immortal
constitution were in session, Benjamin
Franklin complained to his colleagues
of the small progress they had made
after several weeks of deliberation.
He used these memorable words: We
have spent many days in fruitless dis
cussion. We have been cropping in the
dark because we have not sought light
from the Father of Light to illumine
our understanding. | have lived, he
continued, for many years, and the
longer I live. the more convincing
proofs have that God governs the af |
fairs of men. And if sparrow cannot
fall to the ground without His notice,
is it probable that an empire can rise
without His aid and cooperation? We
are told in the same sacred writings,
that unless the Lord build the house,
he laboreth in vain who biuldeth it,
Thank God the words OF Franklin
did not fall on barren soil. They have
borne fruit. Our government from its
dawn to the present time has been
guided by Christian ideals. 1t has
recognized the existence of a superin
tending providence This is evident
from the fact that our presidents, from
the first to the last, have almost in
emily father in their inaugural procla-
nations. Both houses of congress are
opened with prayer. The Christian
Sabbath is recognized and observed
throughout the land. The president of
the United States issues an annual
proclamation inviting his fellow citi-
zens to assemble in their respective
houses of worship and thank the Al