Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-26

TIME waning days of 1929 have
been made notable by the resig-
nation of Peter Cardinal Cas-
Il .parri from the position of Sec
rotary of state to his holiness
Plus XXI. At the very height of bril-
! liant career and at the hour of greatest
triumph for his policies he has stepped
down of his own volition from a place
of eminence to make way for younger
and more vigorous man.
The method of his going is as char
acteristic of this great churchman and
statesman as anything he has done
during half century of devotion to
the interests of the Holy See. Few
men, even great men, are wise enough
to know when to resign. That Gas
parri has chosen this particular mo-
ment to go into voluntary retirement
is proof not only of deep wisdom but of
humility which we do not often en-
counter among those whose lives are
spent directing the affairs of others.
There have been notable secretaries
OF state during the last century. The
names of Consalvi, Pacca and RAM
polla come Immediately to mind in any
review of the occupants of this exalted
office. Gasparri takes his place along
side these great figures of the past. We
cannot predict, of course, what the
Aiild1 NSIulCG VI IllSUUTy Will De. 6uJ 10
us who have lived in his time and have
followed his work it seems certain that
the name of Gasparri must be ranked
at the very head of the list of great
cardinal secretaries of state.
Relies on Inherent Justice.
Gasparri is not a mere diplomat in
the generally accepted meaning of that
term. Rather he is statesman who,
convinced of the logic of his views, re-
lies on their inherent justice and sound
ness TO gain acceptance for them. He
is plain. frank and outspoken in con-
versation; everybody knows where he
stands on public questions. He has,
moreover. the courage of his convic-
tions and is ready to defend them
against attacks, no matter from what
quarter they proceed. No one has ever
questioned his loyalty to the Holy See
nor his devotion to the cause of the
church. Again and again during the
last is years he has been attacked,
abused and even reviled.
For two years certain italian news
papers carried on scurrilous campaign
against the cardinal, disappearing
his position on public questions, accus-
ing him Of every type of perf1dy and
dishonesty, even going to the extreme
of questioning some of the acts of his
private life. II Tevere, a violently pro-
Fascist paper, led in these attacks. On
one occasion 1t promised in a subse-
quent edition startling revelations that
would ruin the secretary of state"
However, at this point the authorities
stepped in, demanded to see the proof
of the forthcoming charges, and after
consideration of the so-called evidence,
Mussolini himself forced the editor to
state publicly that his trumped-up
charges were tissue of lies.
WithstOOd Terrific Attack.
During the trying days preceding and
following the condemnation of the Ac-
ton Franchise, Gasparri was treated 20
newspaper attack the like of which
few modern statesmen, not excepting
President Wilson, have had to endure.
MaurauS and Daudet, leaders of the
Action Franchise, few into a journal
istic rage at the condemnation OF
French royalism, and laid the whole re-
sponsibility for the Pope's action at the
doorstep of Gasparri. Gasparri was
painted daily in vigorous diatribes by
Daudet as the enemy Of France, as the
protector of Germany, as the destroyer
of united Catholic action in France
nor did this violent writer mince words
in questioning the integrity and hon.
esty of Gasparri's advice to the Pope.