Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-03-24
Cardinal Gibbons
Dies at 1850 Today


scious and in dying condition for the
last twenty four hours. A slight hope
was raised among his friends and asso-
ciates last evening When his pulse grew
stronger, that death might be deferred,
but this rally was only temporary. and
was merely an evidence of the cardi-
nails remarkable vitality.
He was perceptibly weaker this
morning and it was then realized that
he would not live the day out.
The city hall bell was tolled in re-
spect to the cardinals memory when
word of his death was sent to Mayor
Broening.
Cardinal Gibbons, as senior bishop Of
the Roman Catholic Church. welded
strong influence outside as well ag
within the United States. The conf
dant of three popes. he made several
important tours to Rome. the last in
August. 1914. a few days after the
opening Of the war. to elect the success
sor to Plus Y. He arrived too late.
however, to participate in the ceremony
that elevated Benedict to the pontifi-
cate.
Upon returning to the United States
he visited President Wilson. informed
the latter of affairs in Europe and dis
cussed means to bring about peace.
Cardinal Gibbons was active in his
letter written to the Catholics OF the
archdiocese of New York in 1917, when
the United States entered the conflict,
urged the fullest support of the govern
ment. A few months previously he sent
SO 900 to the American committee in
London for the relief Of the Belgians,
one OF the many notable instances of bis
benevolence. ...
In sermon at Baltimore, in 1913.
he praised the speech by Lloyd George
and said that Germanys war aims
would fail. About the same time he
explained Pope Benedict's war policy.
an article which so o>pleased the pontif
that he ordered it translated and pub.
lished broadcast In it he asserted sym
prthy with the allied aim of winning
the war ''for permanent peace." To
achieve this result he also expressed op-
pOsition to cessation of hOstillties
when Austria made fresh overtures.
His Golden Jubilee rs Bishop
Celebrating his fiftieth anniversary
as bishop in Baltimore, on October II,
1918, an event attended by ecclcsiastics
from all over the world. he received
among many other gifts the decoration
Of grand officer Of the Legion. of Honor
from France. Italy also decorated him.
A month later he joined with former
President Roosevelt, whose friend he
had been for years, in a message Of
cheer to the American Expeditionary
On June 80. 1919, he observed his
thirty third anniversary as cardinal
archbishop and the fifty eighth year of
his priesthood, Cardinal Mercier, the
heroic primate of Belgium. visited him
on this occasion, .g
Broad Views on Public Anairs
The cardinals views on political,
economic and sociological questions
were frequently sought by newspapers.
in interviews he indOrsed the plan for
the establishment of the Jewish home
land in Palestine, he opposed the gov
ernment ownership of public utilities,
that prohibition meant ''the
invasion of home and Sacramental
practice, condemned divorce. praised
the work of the Salvation Army in
France, favored American military
training. impOrtuned the clcrsy to fight
demanded that the Turk
should be driven from Europe and ap-
pealed to the public to support Amer
icas entrance into the League of
Nations,
At a convention of Irish National
lists in Philadelphia he expressed the
hone that the Paris Peace Conference
would make it possible ito free Ire
land" lie was one of the advocates
of Neighbor Day. for stimulating fra
ternity and community spirit among
In n proclamation he des-
ixpated June II for this observance.
Native Of Baltimore
Born in Baltimore, Nd, OF Irish
parents, July II. 1884, James Gibbons
spent his youth in Ireland. When he
was fourteen years old his family re-
turned to America, settling in New Or.
leans, where he acted as "punetual
grocer's boy"
~ look back on those early days Of
hard work with pride" ne said, in
speaking of his boyhood. II am a trm
believer in the school of hard aud honest
labor
Ills ambition for the priesthood began
in those early days. At twenty one he
began preparations for 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
81. Sulpce aud ST. Mary's University
in Baltimore. At the outbreak of the
Civil War he was ordained to the priest
hood in baltimore.
After the wsr Father Gibbons be-
came private secretary TO Archbishop
Spaulding, u and was appointed chan
ccllor OF the diocese. Through strength
"a aha rantar ha .ranidIN Avon hia wa q