Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1921-04-01
GaIdina! Gibbons.


that was unique in the annals
of American history. A great
church dignitary, a foremost
citizen, a great statesman and
patriot, he was not only honored
and loved by the members Of his
own faith, but by followers OF all
creeds, by persons in all sta
tions of life in the United States.
He was in fact one of the most
universally respected and es-
teemed men Of the world,
1t is given to few men in life
to enjoy the highest respect and
esteem in this country that was
the good fortune of the late Car
dinal. One who knew him per
sonally ard who followed his ca
reer in life does not have to pause
to ascertain the reason. The
characteristics that made him so
universally loved and respected
can be summed up in one word
simplicity His simplicity was
so marked from his early days
until his death that one could not
help but be attracted to him.
His simplicity of manner was
marked on all occasions; il mat
tered not where he was nor with
whom he was whether per-
forming the duties of his church,
in public meeting or receiving
visitors in high or low station of
life, his simplicity was always
marked and outstanding. No
one ever entered his presence
but left it feeling that he was a
plain, simple American citizen.
He passed through all the
hardships of life known to man
in the early days of his priest
hood when travel was in it's worst
starns Mnthinee Aa.ss9t 81, u
stopped him in the performance
of his duties. In some of his
parishes there were no street
cars; he walked. When vicar
general of North Carolina the
wilderness and lack Of roads did
not daunt him; he walked, and in
later days when the automobile
came into existence as a mode of
travel it did not win him from
his love Of walking which habit
he formed in early life. His per-
sonal habits of living were like
wise as simple as could possibly
DE.
Faith was the principle of his
life and a principle that he fol
lowed in both example and in
word. Faith was the answer to
all his doubts. Doubts and
questionings never disturbed the
serenity of his faith. He exem-
plified throughout his entire life
in the strongest kind of way his
undying and unwavering faith.
Faith was the subject of his most
widely read book which was read
By millions OF people regardless
of creed. His faith in his church
and his firm belief in its doc
trines and teachings never made
him narrowminded. On the con
trary he was one of the most
broadminded churchmen in
America. He was noted for his
broadmindedness which made
his advice and views on all sub
iects eagerly sought in public
life.
He had, together with all the
rigidity of his faith, remarkable
tact which did more than any
thing else to harmonic the rela-
lions between the Catholic
Church and American public
opinion. There were rough
places which his diplomacy
smoothed out and there We're
misunderstanding which his
candor corrected. Here is where
his personality was the chief
factor, and thus it came that
Cardinal Gibbons was regarded
as one of the greatest diplomat
lists of America. His position in
regard to church and state was
plain. 1t is thus stated. He
maintained that while the Cath.
ole Church accommodated her
self to every form of government
she had a special adaptability to
the American political system
and to the genius of the people. "
In the strenuous campaign Of
1912 he said this in a sermon at
the Cathedral: There are three
conspicuous citizens who are now
candidates for the Presidency.
Whatever may be my private and
personal preference and predi-
lection, it is not for me in this
sacred pulpit or anywhere else
publicly to dictate or even sug-
gest to you the candidate Of my
choice, and he prayed that they
might have wisdom.
Thus his fame moved steadily
forward and his personality won
the trust and love of Americans
without regard to party. Ac-
thousands welcomed |
him from his journey to Rome; |
long lines of people of all demon !
nations filed past him at public |
celebrations, and then came the
celebration for the fittieth
anniversary Of his ordination and |
his twenty fifth anniversary as
Cardinal. In this the whole state
participated. The President of
the United States and the Vice
President, the former President
Of the United States, the Chief
Justice Of the Supreme Court,
the British Ambassador, many
members of both branches OF