The Dickson County herald. (Dickson, Tenn.) 1907-1979, 1914-08-28

doliers" was a beloved and familiar
figure. His firm, dignifed. yet genial
rule quickly made him force to be
reckoned with.
He gave proof of extraordinary tact
In dealing with the civil authorities
and he succeeded In winning the sup
port OF radicals as we'll as clericals,
He became q fayorite with King Vie.
tor Emmanuel and Queen Helena.
when they visited Venice. and II Ia an
open secret that the news OF bis cleo
tion to the pontircate was ioyfully re-
ceived by the king.
His Election 40 Pope.
II was no light Inheritance TO sue.
coed such pontiff as Leo XIII. for
in many ways Leo symbolized the old
order. incsrnating, as he did. the arts
tocratic ideal OF the scholar and the
diplomat.
Plus X. was. a. befitted demo.
cratic pope. different In many respects
from his illustrious predecessor, Like
the fisherman whose place he held. he
found his recreation fishing In the
Vatican ponds rather than in writing
Latin verses To his saintisness OF
character and moral worth. independ-
ent OF all lesser and worldly consid.
erations, memory doubtless will pay
homage
When balloting began, TO choose a
successor TO Pope Leo XIII. the name
OF Giuseppe Sarto was hardly consld.
cred at first As. balloiinT continued,
however. the roll OF votes In his favor
increased. He was then regarded as
a compromise candidate, and finally.
on the sixth ballot. he was elected
August 4. 1903. and Ave days later he
was crowned In st. Peters. Rene.
with all the magnificence and bril-.
lance OF ceremonial that distinguish
ca the coronation OF each successor TO
the apostolic throne
lie never bad been ambitious to be
the head OF the Catholic church and
the successor OF st, Peter. lie loved
the simple life among his friends, HIS
relatives and his proteges In the par
ish he frst held The grandeur. the
pomp. the great power OF The Vatican
did not appeal TO him.
Direct and Simple In Method.
II Ia much easier TO face the rulers
OF Europe or question than the car.
dinals assembled In the Sistine chapel.
but Pope Plus did not quail or show
timidity when be informed the car.
dinals AZ TO his perseverance In the
lines he drew for himself. he was
firm, brief and unruffied, and mace It
plain that he would not lean In either
direction to lend weight TO favored
plans OF different cardinals or fac
tons.
when the trouble between the
church and state broke out In France
and the Concordat was dropped. the
world looked to the pope. specuiating
as TO what course he would take. What
be did seemed TO be the only right
thing. according to the American idea
He ignored the nation.
Before Pope Plus had been On the
throne three years be showed that
young men who dreamed OF the career
OF a courtier In Rome were going to
he disappointed. The pope wanted
bishops for the difficult sees, and the
way for young diplomats to promotion
II wss soon apparent. vas through
the t!resouis bat wholesome once OF
governing bishop.
One great reform Pope Plus accom-
pitshed, and II promises to be ever 70
men besed in history. He proved that
diplomacy K. church matters Is thing
Of little liza Portanee compared ~ith the
direct teaching and preaching ~ tho
gospel TO the poor.