The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-03-24
Biographical

century in the interests Of his country |
as well rs his church is closed 10y the |
death of James, Cardinal Gibbons Al |
the celebration, in 1911, Of the twenty |
fifth anniversary of his elevation to the |
cardnalate, His Emincnce, out OF all
the tributes paid him. expressed HIM
self as most affected by that from Wiz
liam Howard Taft, his intimate friend. |
and then President, who said.
Through his long and useful life
Cardinal Gibbons has spared no ef-
fort in the cause of good citizenship
and the uplifting Of his fellow-men."
"You have portrayed your subject,
not, fear, as he is, but as he should
be- responded the Cardinal. "One
merit only can l claim, and that is an
ardent love for my native country and
her political institutions. | consider
the Republic of the United States one
Of the most precious heirlooms ever
bestowed on mankind down the ages,
1t is the duty and should be the de-
light of every citizen to strengthen
and perpetuate our government by OBJ
survance of It's laws and by the nte
gritty of the public life
Born in Baltimore Md, Of Irish par
ents July II, 1884, James Gibbons
spent his youth in Ireland but when
Inc was a lad of II years his family re
turned TO America, settling in New Or
leans where he acted as "punctual
groccrs boy
Il look back on those early days of
hard, work with pride" he said in
speaking Of his boyhood. II am a firm
believer in the school of hard and hon
est labor"
His ambition for the priesthood be-
gan in those early days. AT q he be-
gan preparations Tor his service in the
Roman Catholic church. Graduating
with distinguished honor from historic
ST. Charles College in Maryland, he
pursued his studies at the Seminary of
st. Sulpice and st. Mary's University
in Baltimore. At the outbreak of the
civil war, he was ordained to the
priesthood in Baltimore. He was 27
years old His heart was moved by
the tragedy he witnessed and through
out life he was strongly opposed to
war.
''rhe average American is lover of
peace" he frequently remarked He
stands for peace at home and abroad.
Let us hope that international disputes
Will oOOu Dt QtCIOtu IOl NY
armies, but by permanent courts Of
arbitratioh.i'
At the close of the civil war, Father
Gibbons became private secretary to
Archbishop Spalding and was appoint
ed chancellor of the diocese. Through
strength of character he rapidly won
his way. He was elected assistant
chancellor of the second plenary coun-
Gil at Baltimore in 1866. Two years
later. by a bull Of Pope Plus TX, the
young priest was translated to North
Carolina where he served as titular
bishop and first vicarapostolic.
His record in the southern state is
remarkable. He travelled among his
people from the sea to the mountains,
eating from bare boards and sleeping
in shabby cabins. Thus, it is said, he
made the personal acquaintance, Of
every adult Roman Catholic in North
Carolina. He built six churches, es-
tablshed the Sisters of Mercy and built
for them schools for negroes and
whites.
Religion teaches me that We are all
children Of the same Father" he once
said. We are all brothers and sis
tcrs Of the same Redeemer. and conse-
quently, members Of the same family,
II teaches me the brotherhood of hu.
manity."
The hardworking young bishop was
sent to Richmond in 1872 He built
and enlarged schools, asylums, and
churches Ia Richmond Petersburg and
Portsmouth. His untiring labor attract
cd the attention of Archbishop Bayley
Of the Baltimore diocese. Through his
influence, Bishop Gibbons became his
coadjutor \ few months later Arch
bishop Layley died. Bishop Gibbons
~ years Of age-became Archbishop Of
the diocese. then the highest dignitary
of the Roman Catholic church in the
United States.
AS Archbishop, he headed the dele
cation Of American prelates TO Rome
in 1888. He outlined their plans for
the third plenary council TO be held
the next year. Pope Leo XIII ap-
pointed him TO preside over the coun-
Gil. He directed the enactment Of
many new decrees which were favor
ably approved by the ecclesiastical au-
thorities.
The brilliant executive ability Of
Archbishop Gibbons was Immediately
recognized He was created a cardi-
nal prince Of the church, quarter
century after he had entered the priest
hood. This was in lSS6-he was then
52 years Of age.
The impressive ceremonies took place
in his home city and cathedral In Bal
timore. In the presence Of hierarchy
OF the church, Cardinal Gibbons was
clothed in the insignia Of the office
He arrived In Rome the following year
and received the apostolic blessing and
admission into the college of cardinals
the twenty-fifth In succession.
Cardinal Gibbons celebrated the cen
tenary Of the founding Of the Catholic
hierarchy in the United States In 1855
He convened the first national con.
gress OF Catholic laymen in the United
states In the same year. He laid the
cornerstone Of the Catholic University
In Washington, and was its chancel
lor since its~foundation. He was the
first Roman Catholic prelate In IN,
United States to take part in the cleo
lion OF a pope, casting his ballot rol
Plus Y.
The scholarship and statesmanShil
OF Cardinal Gibbons has been recog
nlzed by theologisns OF all creeds
Religion hc said shortly before hi
death. lis the only solid basss for so
cicty. Religion is 10 society what ce
incnt Is to a modern building; 1t make
all parts compact and coherent. Th
teachings OF Christ have been the basi
Of all Christian legislation for nearl
1000 years and continue TO be the ligh
and guide for hundreds OF millions q