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About The commoner. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-1923 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 14, 1903)
PP Wjim ' I' Mi;i lM yT" ITy 'ffffMJf Hil) iii i i,i T,yf "fiM furyiwi.i .mt-w-wfffT- jrjr 5f- "ri7rrf1vh-j $-n The Commoner. 5 AUGUST 14. 1903. POPE PIUS X. Incidents Connected with the Election of Sarto, Patriarch of Ven ice, to Succeed Pope Leo XIII. mmmmmmmpim Guiseppe Sarto, patriarch of Venice, lias been chosen as pope to succeed Ieo XIII. The new pope has chosen the name of Pius X. The con clave of cardinals remained in session for four days in the effort to choose Leo's -successor. The story of-the ballots is told by the Associated press in this way: "When the first ballot was taken it showed that the sacred college was' divided into two groups, the stronger one for Rampolla and tho lesser one for Seraflno Vannutelli. The other votes were scattered, but included four for Sarto. "On the subsequent ballots, while the two principal parties were losing ground, Sarto grad ually gained, drawing strength from both ends and tho middle vntil the' ballot on Monday after noon, when his vote had increased to thirty-seven, within six of the necessary two-thirds. When the result of this ballot was announced in tho conclave Cardinal Sarto was so overcome with emotion and so touched by the unlooked-ror con fidence reposed in him that he could no longer control Jiis feelings and, to the surprise of all, he broke down, declaring that such responsibility and honor were not for him, and that he must refuse it, if offered. Tears rolled down his cheeks and he seemed firm in his determination to re fuse the dignity. He was. so palpably sincero that consternation reigned in the conclave, and the cardinals spent the whole evening and much of the night in convincing him that his election was the will of providence and that he must ac cept Several times he almost fainted and had to be revived by the use of salts. He seemed happy but broken down, even after all the otner candidates had retired, and, or. the final ballot, lie looked a statue of resignation. Cardinal Ca setta, as scrutineer, was reading out tho votes. When forty-two votes had been recorded for the patriarch of Venice the scrutineer arose and lifted his red zuchetto, saying: "We have elected a pontiff." "But from many sides cardinals cried out, 'Con tinue.' As the vote approached fifty, however, the cardinals, as of one accord, surrounded the new pontiff and, according to tradition, demanded to know if he would accept the pontificate. "Cardinal Sarto's lips trembled so that he could hardly articulate, but, after a visible effort, he said: " 'If this cup cannot pass from me "There he paused, but the cardinals around him insisted that it was necessary for him to answer 'yes' or 'no.' Thereupon he replied firmly 'yes.' " ' , While the selection of Sarto was very general ly a surprise, it is now recalled that early in April, 1903, Pope Leo in a conversation with Father Perosi, tho Italian comroser, said in speaking of Cardinal Sarto: "Hold him dear, Perosi, as in the future he will be able to do much for you. We firmly believe he will bo our successor." The Associated press gives a sketch of the new popo as follows: "Giuseppe Sarto was born in Rlese, diocese of Treviso, June 2, 1835, and was created cardinal by Leo XIII. at the consistory of June 12, 1893, re ceiving the title of S. Bernardo delle Terma. He is also patriarch of Venice since June, 1893, and bishop of Mantua. Ho belongs to the ecclesiasti cal congregations of bishops and regulars, sacred rights, Indulgences and sacred relics. "Cardinal Sarto enjoys great popularity In his diocese, and is honored by all for his purity, for tho strict uprightness of his life, and for liberal ideas. He is a modest and agreeable man, high ly cultivated, very kind-hearted, still strong and robust in spite of his 68 years. He has never taken great part in the political and public life of the church; but divided his time between study and good works. Although most faithful to tho holy see he was presented to the king and queen of Italy in Venice. He may be considered among the more liberal members of the Italian episcopate and sacred college. He is rather timid in expressing an opinion. It is said that Leo XIII. always thought very highly of him, and sided with him on one occasion when Sarto dis approved of Rampolla's policy. "He has been known for many years as one of the greatest preachers in the church." -It is reported that when Sarto had been chosen, he rose from his knees and with a face full of sadness and addressing his fellow cardinals, said: "It is a cross that I receive from you." Sarto was a great friend of King Humbert, father of tho present king of Italy, and it is be lieved in somo quarters that nis election will make considerable difference in tho relations between the church and tho Italian government At tho same time some were disappointed because of tho spot chosen by tho new popo for tho presen tation of his first benediction to the world. Ac cording to tradition, If the popo should extend his hand in blessing over Rome, from without St. Peter's, it would signify a new attitude on tho part of tho church toward tho government It seemed that the assemblage understood that this course would be adopted, but they wore disap pointed. Cardinal Gibbons, speaking to a representa tive of the Associated press, said that tho elec tion of Cardinal Sarto had produced the best Im pression on the sacred college, because, being a man of such piety, tact, and culture, he was best fitted to be the head of the church at tho present time. Interest has been revived in tho veto power supposed to bo vested In Austria, Spain and Italy. Austria is not presumed to be partial to Ven etians. One of the cardinals, speaking to a cor respondent for the Associated press, says that no attempt has been made by Austria, Spain or Italy to exercise the veto power, and that tho college of cardinals was greatly divided as to the con tinuance of that tradition. This cardinal said that a Venetian might be objectionable to Austria, but we fall to see why that should bo so because the ancient enmity between Venice and Austria was confined to a small section of tho Italian people. Besides, Austria was always Italy's ally and there should be no misgivings regarding the future course of Plus X. who has kept himself out of politics, and so far as this ca-dinal knew, had not identified himself with any political move. Americans enjoyed the privilege of boing first among those of many other countries who fol lowed to be presented to the pope. John J. Mc Grano of New York and Father Lynch of Nia gara university of Buffalo conducted the Ameri can, pilgrimage. The Associated press cablegram tells the story of the experience of the Ameri cans in this way: "Cardinal Gibbons had been asked yesterday to try to arrange for the reception of the Ameri cans and had promised to do his best, at the same time explaining how unprecedented it would be for a pope the day after his election to receive a foreign pilgrimage when there were scores of high dignitaries who had not yet been admitted, including even the diplomatic body. Neverthe less he used his influence with the happiest re sult and secured the consent of the pope to re ceive his fellow-countrymen. Their luggage was hastily brought back from tho station in order that they might appear in proper apparel, and at 5:45 this afternoon all were at tho bronze doors of the Vatican. They were met by Monslgnor Kennedy, rector of the American college, whose presence was quite sufficient to make the Swiss guard step back, present arms and give entrance to all. They trooped up the high stairway and through the corridors, bending 'their heads to pass through the openings in the walls which had been erected for the conclave. Bricks were still lying on the flagstones. Through the beau tiful loggia of Raphael they passed to the unique hall of inscriptions, where a halt was called. After a considerable wait there was murmured 'Hush, hush,' and two Swiss guards enteral from a corridor. Before the pilgrims could quite real ize it, the pope stood among them. "Pius X. Is a little taller than Cardinal Gib bons, giving the impression of being a much larger man, as he is inclined to stoutness. He has abundant gray hair, with no sign of baldness, dark, clear eyes, handsome features and a magnif icent voice, low in tone, to which is added a pe culiar grace, due to his muslcat Venetian accent. His whole person emanated great benignity. He walked slowly, but with the firmness of a young man, down the long kneeling line, accompanied by Cardinal Gibbons and Monslgnor Kennedy, and gave to each of the pilgrims as he passed his hand to be kissed. He spoke a few words to al most everyone. Pius X. was arrayed completely in white, without a gleam of color except that which sparkled from the huge emerald on his finger. Cardinal Gibbons was on his right In red robes and Monslgnor Kennedy on his left in pur ple. They were preceded by Swiss guards with-, halberds and followed by members of the noble guard. The moving group was set off by the kneeling womon, who wero all in black, their womanliness mado moro -ft -manly by tho black laco veils which hung from their hair. Tho men woro dress suits nnd tho priests black gowns. Popo Pius X. appeared to bo much Interested when Father Lynch presented to him a box con taining a whlto zuchetto, saying that 'Wo would bo oxtromely gratified If your holiness would ac copt this gift In exchango for tho ono you wear.' " 'I will cheerfully do so,' tho pope replied. "Theroupon Monslgnor Blslctl lifted tho zuchetto which tho popo woro from his head and roplaccd it with tho ono which had boon pre sented by Father Lynch. "Mr. McCrano handod to Plus X. tho offer ings which tho pilgrims had hastily put together after luncheon today. Tho popo spoko especially to tho members of tho Lanto family of Philadel phia, Rov. John 13. Burke, pastor of tho church of St. Bonedlct tho Mqor of Nov York, and Father Wall, who expressly represented Archbishop Karloy, and to Rev. James Roger Matthews of Washington. "To Father Burko ho gave a special benedic tion for tho colored people. Occasionally, as the pope passed along, ho laid his hand upon tho head of ono of tho pilgrims. V. -en Plus reached the persons who waved two flags yesterday at St. Peter's, who wero carrying them today, ho ex claimed: " 'Cara, cara, America, dear America forty four stars, eh?' When he rcachod the last porson In tho lino ho turned and, while all tho pilgrims knelt, ho gavo tho apostolic blessing, ending with the words: 'I recommend myself to your pious prayers.' "It was a moment of Intense emotion and scarcely was an eye dry. "Cardinal Gibbons, upon leaving the Vatican, said that ho had been delighted to present tho American pilgrimage to the now pope under such happy circumstances." JJJ When Did the Change Occur? Tho Philadelphia Press, republican, says: "If American currency had been sound in 1893 and 1894 panic would have been prevented here then. It came because no one could bo certain as to tho standard of value." Will tho Press bo good enough to point out the particular r.ece of legislation in which a change has beon wrought in our currency system since tho 1893 and 1894 panic? Tho financiers insist that tho republican party has not fulfilled its pledges with respect to "cur rency reform" and they say that the act of March, 1900, whereby the secretary of the treasury was given authority to exchange ono dollar for an ther whenever such exchange became necessary in order to maintain the parity, provides for the redemption in gold of tho silver dollar no such authority as any secretary of the treasury would dare to act upon. While tho Press says that there could be no certainty as to tho standaru of value In 1893 and 1894, It Intimates that there Is certainty as to tho standard of value at this time. For the ben efit of its readers, it should point out just how this remarkable change was brought about JJJ A Newspaper Lottery. The Nashville American Is not only republi can In its views, but It Is willing to demoraliza its readers by cultivating the gambling spirit among them. A reader of Tho Commoner has sent in a letter Issued by the Weekly American, April 4, inviting subscribers to enter Into a guessing cofltec't the thing guessed upon to be the amount of cotton received at all United States ports between September 1, 1902, and May 1, 1903, (the time Is now past). As there was no way of ascertaining the e:ract amount of balej It was so largely a guess that the contest doea not differ essentially In principle from the old lottery or wheel of fortune. It is not strange that a paper that supports a Wall street financial policy should urge its subscribers to speculative raoney-maldng rather than stimulate them to the honest accumulation of money by legitimate means. Tho 'American offered a number of frea estimates to agents on terms stated in the letter. When it can spare time from the denunciation of Mr. Bryan as a disturber of harmony, will it give a few words' In defense of its lottery, from a moral standpoint? iAAJattfoCtf"- """f""faa jf;vcj CMAiKni!t'iiliA-.'-'iiJlJlAm.'K