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THE BULLETIN OF THE CATHOLIC LAYMEN’S ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA 7 CARDINAL GIBBONS AND THE GEORGIA PRESS The Augusta Chronicle With the passing of James, Cardinal Gibbons, con fidant of three Popes, adviser of Presidents since Lincoln’s days, friend of statesmen, diplomats and leaders in business and professional life, the United States has lost an unflinching patriot, the people a great advocate and the Catholic Church a brilliant leader. His sixty years as a clergyman, his fifty-two years as a bishop, and his third of a century or more as a Cardinal did not transform him from a simple lover of the doctrines of Jesus Christ into a haughty and austere dignitary. In spite of his exalted position in the Church and his high place as a semi-public man whose advice was sought in every emergency, he was as humble the day he passed to his reward as he was when he trudged the streets of Baltimore, three- quarters of a century ago, a little red-headed Irish lad. The late Cardinal’s simple and radiant personality, his broadmindedness as a churchman, his love of country, which exceeded everything but his love of God and his fellowman, his ripe culture, his deeply consecrated life, his gentleness, and his courage in defending his convictions, won for him a following among Jew and Gentile, Protestant and Catholic, believer and non-believer, rich and poor, that made him a towering figure in our republic. Cardinal Gibbons was not merely a great and loyal citizen; he was an American institution. Born in Baltimore in 1834, in the dawn of American great ness, and ordained a priest in 1861, he had seen the great romance of America’s development from a nation torn asunder by internal strife to the America of 1917, the united power that turned the tide of battle on the fields of Europe. In the recent war his pure Americanism was again made evident. He believed in fighting the fight to a real finish and to a permanent peace. On the oc casion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of his elevation to the Cardinalate, in his reply to President Taft’s congratulations, he wrote: “I consider the republic of the United States one of the most precious heir looms ever bestowed on mankind down the ages. It is the duty, and should be the delight, of every citizen to strengthen and perpetuate our government by observance of its laws and by the integrity of the public life.” The last message of Cardinal Gibbons sung the praises of the Constitution of the United States. He said: “As the years go by I am more than ever convinced that the Constitution is the greatest in strument of government that ever issued from the hand of man.” The United States and the world are made poorer by the death of Cardinal Gibbons, but they are better in measureless degree by reason of his great life and character. Savannah Morning News (Reprinted in the Thomasville Enterprise) Cardinal Gibbons was famous not only because of the high position he occupied in his church, being the ranking American cardinal, but also for his unusual personality, his attainments of intellect, his interest in public affairs, and the great respect for himself per sonally which was felt by those who lived in his city and his state as well as far beyond their boundaries. His modesty as a man did not prevent him from expressing considered opinions on matters of public moment, and that he was an influence for the per petuation of many things which all Americans hold dear should be apparent. In his reply to President Taft’s congratulations upon the twenty-fifth anniver sary of his cardinalate he said this: One merit only can I claim, and that is in an ardent love for my native country and her politi cal institutions. I consider the republic of the United States one of the most precious heirlooms ever bestowed on mankind down the ages. It is the duty and should be the delight of every citizen to strengthen and perpetuate our govern ment by observance of its laws and by the integrity of the public life. He was an American, and made that fact very plain the years of the great war. He believed in fighting the war to real finish “for permanent peace.’ When such man dies it is a loss to not merely his church but to his city, his state and his nation Clear thinking is an important asset to any country and Cardinal Gibbons had this quality in such large measure that his views on current topics of high concern will be missed. He never failed to enlighten when he spoke, however much those who read his interviews may have disagreed with his conclusions That he has passed is of interest to every person in America, and the regret cannot fail to extend across the land. Savannah Press The Catholic Church has lost a brilliant prelate the United States a firm friend and the people a great advocate in the death of Cardinal James Gibbons at Baltimore yesterday. He was a priest of great force of character, a man of tender heart and deep sympathies and withal an ideal representative of his church. He was a native of Baltimore, the city in which hr served actively for more than half a century. Hr lived in Ireland as a youth, but returned to thir country when his parents decided to again try their fortunes in America. He, early in life, began his preparation for the priesthood. He was an ideal and a model young man and after his ordination his advancement was rapid in the church. He served in high positions longer than any man who had preceded Continued on Page 1 3.