CARDINAL GIBBONS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1198, 5 August 1911, Page 9

CARDINAL GIBBONS.

DUAL JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS. Cardiunl Gibbons on .Tunc G celebrated the golden jubilee of his priesthood and tlio silver jubilee of his episcopate, 'l'lio occasion was marked by a gathering' of 15,000 people of all creeds and conditions in the Fifth Koprimeiit Armoury at Baltimore, which "The Press" of Philadelphia declares was "one of Iho most remarkable tributes to tlio personality of a man that the country has ever seen. Officially it was a civic celebration of the Cardinal's dual anniversary, but iit fact it was a spontaneous tribute first to tlio liberal and lovable man and then to the broad-minded and courageous churchman and American." The sanio paper gives the following account of tho proceedings:— 111 0110 gallery of tho vast armoury sat more than one hundred clergymen of all denominations, led by Bishop John Gardner Murray, of tho Protestant Episcopal Diocese of Maryland. In another gallory sat hundreds of women. Tho main floor was crowded with men in.all walks of life, plebeian and aristocrat, white and coloured, On the big platform were SOI) chairs occupied by men prominent in public life. Governor Austin L. Crothers, of Maryland, presided; Secretaries jSagel and MacVeagh, of Taft's Cabinet, wcro there, as wcro Ambassador Bryco,. of Great Britain; Minister Rojas, of Venezuela, and Minister Count Elircnsvard, of Sweden, and Minister Calvo, of Costa Rica. _ The Cardinal sat ill a red plusn clinir in the centre of the stage. To Ilia right was President Taft; then camo former President Roosevelt and Chief Justice White, and on tlio Cardinal's left were Governor Crothers, of Maryland, Ambassador Bryce, Speaker Clark, and Representative Cannon. The ovation that greeted Mr. Roosevelt as he ascended tho steps with Chief Justice White was remarkable, but that which greeted -tho Cardinal as he climbed tho stairs with President 'l'aft was far more remarkable. Tho Cardinal wore his red robe, and through all the speeches lie sat smiling, every changing expression of ..his wrinkled and kindly face and his bright eyes attesting to tho pleasure that this tribute afforded him. 'He smiled like a boy when President Taft introduced him to Mr. Roosevelt, ho laughed with gleo when the Chief Justico shook his hand, and the ghost of a grin flickered over his face when Speaker Clark, mixing for a moment politics with religion, declared that he had been a potent force for gcod "among both Catholics and Republicans."

■ Speeches were delivered by President Taft, Mr. Roosevelt, Senator Hoot, and Speaker Clark. Cardinal Gibbons was accorded a most impressive reception, every person on the stage and on (lie iloor of the armoury rising and cheering to the echo the distinguished prelate. His Eminence said: "I am filled with emotions of gratitude bv this extraordinary manifestation on the part of my fellow-citizens, without distinction of: race or religion or condition of life. . . . One merit only 1 can truly claim, and that is an.ardent lovo for my native country aud her political institutions. Ever since I entered tho sacred ministry my aim has been to mako those over whom I exertel any influence not only more upright Christians, but also more loyal citizens. For the most faithful Christian makes-tho best citizen. If our Government is destined to be enduring, it must rest . on the eternal principles of justice, (rut!,, and righteousness, and these principled must have for their sanction the recognition of .a Supreme Being.who created all things bv Jiis.power,, who governs.them by His wisdom, and whose superintending providence watches over the aflairs of nations and of men. It is true, indeed, that there is 110 official nninn ol Church and State in this country. But we must not infer from this that there is any antagonism between the, civil and religious authorities. Far from it. tho Church and State movo on parallel lines. They mutually assist one another. Ihe State holds over the spiritual rulers tho aegis of its protection without lntertej;ing with the sacred and God-given rights of conscience. And the Church, oil her part, helps to cnfoi'ftr.the oviUlfiws, by. normql- and religions' sanctions.' * ' (