The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-31


the spiritual leader Of more, than a
hundred millions at a time when
spiritual leadership meant more than
ever in the previous history Of the
world.
1t is highly probable that had 1t not
been for the kindly offices Of the vigor-
ously righteous, the intensely patriotic
and the splendidly far seeing old
American prelate the now famous
statement Of the Holy Father that all
men should stand by their own pa
triotism, that when foes threaten ones
own country each Of its citizens must
oppose them with the thought that
| God Is on his side, never would have
been given to the world. have been
told that in Ireland and Italy that
interview with the supreme church
head did very much toward stimLlat-
ing men toward faithful service in the
| Allied cause at time when stimula-
ton of the sort was tragically neces-
sary, and, IL this be true, the credit
must be given largely to the influence
Of James, Cardinal Gibbons, extended
from far Baltimore. where he sat
thinking for the whole distracted
world.
Views of Wars Achievements.
| When, a week ago. I again saw him
in Baltimore, was amazed and
pleased to find that almost four years
had brought him no more age, so far
as the Observers eyes may see: that
his voice is quite as flexible and rich
as ever, with none of that shrill thin
ness which so often comes much ear
lier than q mans eightieth birthday.
Not a hint of dimness had dulled his
splendid eyes, no signs of WEAKNESS
were In his steps as he vigorously ad-
vanced to meet me. The coming OF
the peace which he so ardently i'm
plores the world never again to vio-
late has given him new youth, new
vigor and new happiness.
He feels that the world fought not In
vain and is TREMENDOUSLY anxious that
it shall lose none Of the good which it
has gained through the expenditure of
so much blood and treasure, through
the gloriously willing acceptance of
such a heavy cross of sorrow, through
such discussions Of the rights of men
as have been heard now where OF
yore they were forbidden, through
such study Of the principles of human
government, such recognition of the
| justice Of the principle of eslf-de-
termination of peoples as never before
in human history have helped to edu-
cate mankind in the great affairs of
nations.
He feels that in the new world born
from the Death thrces of the old more
over, America must accept some large
| responsibilities OF leadership which
have not been and could not be dis
cussed at the Peace Conference, for
he believed that in the history of this
Republic are certain living truths
which must be disseminated broad
cast if we really are to offer our ulu-
mate OF service to humanity.
But. the other day in Baltimore he
was unable to explain these things in
detail and so asked me to arrange to
call on him, few days later. when he
would be visiting a friend at beautiful
Spring Lake, New Jersey.
1 did so, and as he came across the
spacious hallway of his friends great
residence, his step was even lighter
than 1t had been that crushingly hot
day in Baltimore, his eyes even
! brighter, his hand clasp even firmer.
| Beyond a doubt His Eminence Is the
youngest man of his years ever have
SEEN
It is, perhaps, as important to record
certain impressions of our general con-
versatons as 1t will be, presently, to
| 4 xxxl,t ha n
quite willing should go out In full
quotations. have read to him these
paragraphs, which are not quoted as
carefully MS those which are, and have
made a change or two in them at his
suggestion, so truly they represent his
views.
Condemns RadicnIism.
Chief among the strong and definite
expressions which gained during this
preliminary conversation Is one that
/ the Cardinal feels perhaps not quite
alarm, but surely grave concern, over
the tendency which he observes In the
United States and elsewhere in the
world toward radicalism.
II Is his belief that IL Is the duty OF
each citizen, no matter what his re-
lig1ous creed may be or what may
have been his advantages OF educa;
ton, to take careful thought upon
these matters and do his share toward
seeing to 1t that out Of the worlds
new born liberty shall not grow a
general tendency toward license.
| Plainly he sees danger of just this
catastrophe; obviously 1t must be his
intention to ask OF his co-workers in
the church throughout the nation ear
nest and especial efforts to check any
turning into such dangerous byways
wherever Il may ba threatened. at
home or elsewhere.
Also / am sure that I may say he
fears that certain dangers Turk in that
which seems to be the drift of a large
group of Americas leading thinkers
toward extravagant internationalism.
Quite clearly this preliminary CONVEX
sation indicated that his thinking is In
full accord with that of the Holy
Father, who declared. that day in
Rome, that each individual must stand
by his own, particular patriotism. In
deed the Cardinal perhaps carries the
thought a little further, believing that
each nation must do its utmost to de-
velop patriotism among its citizens
and that the greater leaders Of the
/ future will be those who ty to make
the patriotism of their followers not
less national than true patriotism