The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-08-20

He was OF a race OF bishops who have
| a wooden crozier and heart OF gold.
His predecessor never went out but In
a gondola with four rowers; he himself
! was satisfied with a one-oared gondola-
! And when it passed down the Grand
| Canal hundreds of gondolien would
| salute him, seeking for blessing, a
word OF comfort and encouragement
| from him, whom they called Familiarity
| in their native dialect. II Nostro Sio
Beppo.'
| summoned to the conclave at Rome.
when he left Venice one blazing morn
| ing in July, he was greeted by the pro-
phetic cry of Long live the Pope! He
! did not for a moment believe he would
not return again.
| so little did I think that I should
| never see Venice again, said the pontin.
with a smile. that I took q biglietto
d'andata g ritorno return excursion
| ticket
He long kept this return ticket.
] Wealthy and titled collectors strove by
every means within their power TO be-
come its purchaser; he invariably re-
1 fused them. But the King OF Greece. in
| the course of a visit which he paid 70
the Pope, expressed a keen desire to
possess this little piece OF cardboard
which has become for all time historic,
and the Pope gave 1t to him"
| ms Lire . AAuCPAGCSs
And referring TO a cheap nickel watch,
Of old-fashioned make. which was the
only timepiece carried by him, the Pope
said 'gravely to his interviewer:
1T marked the minutes Of my mother
death struggles and the hours OF my
definite separation from the outer world,
from Venice, space, and liberty. 1t
marked, as l said, all the Joyous, all the
solemn moments OF my life. What
jewel could be more precious to me-
| He carried the watch fastened to a
little white silken cord in the bright
sash at he wore around his waist" the
! Journalist stated, continuing his nara
tive, and he did not hesitate to offend
| against the etiquette that hitherto has
obliged the Pope, when he has wished TO
know the time. to apply TO one Of his
prelates."
1t was no light inheritance to sue
coed such a pontin as Leo XIII, for in
many ways Leo symboIized the old order,
incarnating. as he did. the sristocratic
Ideal of the scholar and the diplomat.
Plus X was, as befitted a democratic
Pope different in many respects from his
lllustrious predecessor. Like the fisher
men whose place he held, he found his
recreation fishing in the Vatican ponds.
rather INdn III NTllll5 LdN4A NSlSSS' ~
his saintliness OF character and moral
worth, independently of all lesser and
worldly considerations, memory doubt
less will pay homage.
Plus a Ozark Horse"
When baIloting began to choose a sue
cessor TO Pope Leo XIII, the name Of
Giuseppe Sarto was hardly considered at
first. As baIloting continued, however,
Il "a
He was then regarded as a compromise
candidate. and, finally on the sixth bal
lot, he was elected, August 4. 1893, and
five days later he was crowned in st.
| Peters Cathedral Rome, with all the
magnifcence and brilliance Of ceremo'
NAL that distinguishes the coronation Ct
each successor to the apostolic throne.
From the post Of spiritual head Of gon-
doliers and peasants, work that ne
loved to the throne in the Vatican was
the career of Giuseppe Sarto. Pope Plus
TX.
And he never had been ambitious to be
the head Of the Catholic Church and the
successor OF st. Peter. He loved the
simple life among his friends. his re!a
tives, and his proteges in the parish he
first held. The grandeur, the pomp, the
great power OF the Vatican did not ap-
peal to him.
There was a great olhSIchCS OA
opinion as to the qualifications OF Pope
Plus y for his once. His election, a
compromise, was particularly pleasing
to Austria, Germany, and France, and
in these countries, with the exception
OF France in recent years. he was high
" commended for wisdom and strength
While at first he was referred to as
apostle, executive, and reformer, in the
later years OF his reign there were
| rfa a
cardinals and factions in the church
because OF a lack Of strength. Of COM
manding power, and iron will.
Priest, scholar, Pastor.
His life had been one of fine, severe
unity, void of accidents and selfish
thoughts; devoted entirely to the high
est and most universal interests. and
intensely active, for his writings are
words. the life Of a priest, a scholar
and a pastor.
Pope Leo XIII had predicted that
great things were in store for Cardinal
Sarto, and once was heard to remark
that 1t would not be surprising If tht
cardinal should be his successor.
Pope Plus policy was the simplest
His election resulted because a majority
Of the cardinals had wearied of diplo-
macy and its barren results and longed
for a pontin who would build up the
units of organization-that is. the do
ceses they ruled by bishops. In France,
Italy, and Spain these units were either
paralyzed or directed by the hostile or
Indifferent states. There was a show oil
life, but not such teeming and varied life
as is seen in the dioceses of America,
Canada, and Ireland. It was known that
Plus would desert diplomacy and try to
make all dioceses as they are in Eng
lish speaking countries.
j That diplomacy found no place in
Plus mind is evidenced by many Of his
acts. His action toward the French gov
! eminent was perfect in indifference.
4 Therefore France had all the trouble and
the Pope was out of it. As to italy, he
increased the cordial understanding be-
tween church and State, which was not
thought wise by Italian churchmen.
i However. his action resulted In an up
lifting Of the church In Italy. Fne do
u cesss had been IN . most dsplorabls con