HONORING CARDINAL GIBBONS

New Zealand Tablet, 17 August 1911, Page 1565

HONORING CARDINAL GIBBONS

' This assemblage, I venture to assert, has had but few counterparts in history.' So spoke President Taft in the Fifth Regiment Armory, Baltimore, on the afternoon of June. 6. The nation's head was gazing upon twenty thousand persons assembled to testify to their appreciation of Cardinal Gibbonsfifty years a priest and twenty-five years a member of the Sacred College— a great American and a great Baltimorean. It was a tribute of the heads of the nation, its lawmakers, its judges, and of the people of his own city and State to the greatness of the beloved Prince of the Church as a man and as a patriot, and as such it was unparalleled.

No such outpouring of the people has ever taken place in Baltimore no such gathering has ever assent bled under one roof in that city. And such a gathering ! Every shade of social, religious, business, and political life was represented. The social leader and the laundress were there; Catholic priest, Protestant minister, and Jewish Rabbi fraternised in the gallery set apart for the clergy. Representatives of ' big business' and the little merchants worked together like brothers on the committees, and Democrats, Republicans, and independants lifted their voices in unison to cheer the speakers for their praises of the lofty citizenship of the Cardinal.

The President of the United States, the Vice President, the only living former President, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the and the only living former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Great Britain's Ambassador and the Ambassadors of other foreign Governments, United States Senators, Congressmen, distinguished clergy of every denomination, the Governor of Maryland and the Mayor of Baltimore joined in the celebration.

Speeches were made by President Taft, Vice-Pre-sident Sherman, former President Roosevelt, United States Senator Elihu Root, Speaker Clark, of the House of Representatives; former Speaker Joseph G. Cannon, Ambassador Bryce, Governor Crothers, and Mayor Preston. Chief Justice White, of the Supreme Court, was on the programme for a speech, but it is contrary to all precedent that justices of the court shall make public speeches. Indeed, it is an unwritten rule of the court that they shall refrain from making such speeches. The Cardinal responded to the addresses.

The whole event was a happy one from every point of view. It brought the people of the city closer together and made them feel more like brethren. It helped to soften religious differences, and it was whispered that it helped to wipe out possible political animosities which are reported to have existed between him who is now at the head of the nation and him who previously held that great office.

The Cardinal, as the guest of honor, sat in a gilded chair in the centre of the stage, beside Governor Crothers, who presided. To the Cardinal's right sat the President, then Colonel Roosevelt, then Chief Justice White, Bishop Mac Sherry, of South Africa, and Mayor Preston. On his left hand sat Vice-President Sherman, Ambassador Bryce, Speaker Clark, Senator Root, and former Speaker Cannon.

The President spoke first. His voice was strong and clear, and carried to the furthest parts of the hall. His eulogy of the Cardinal as a great American and true patriot was a striking one.

He was followed by Vice-President Sherman, and then by Colonel Roosevelt, whose speech was characteristic of the man. The ex-President was given a tremendous ovation when he arose, no less great than had been the demonstration for the I President. The next speaker was Senator Root, who paid a great tribute to the Cardinal as a man and a patriot, and held him up as an example for the children of America. Ambassador Bryce had not expected to speak, but in spite of this delivered one of the most forceful and thoughtful addresses of the day,