p. 8 | The Outlook by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Nov 4, 1897

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 43.

The Outlook

By Editor

"I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will look forth to see what He will speak with me."

Bowing to the Papacy.—A despatch dated Washington, D. C., October 13, to the Examiner, of San Francisco, says: "Never in the history of this city was such a reception tendered a prelate of any church as the farewell banquet given to Archbishop Keane by citizens of Washington at the Shoreham Hotel to-night. It was a representative gathering, and the high estimation in which this noted Catholic divine is held was evidenced by the fact that a goodly portion of the guests were not of his religious faith. Nearly every member of the Cabinet, senators, representatives, high officials of the army and navy, judges, and many of the leading citizens and officials of the District of Columbia, were present. President McKinley . . . assured them [a committee of invitation] that there was no man in the country whom he held in higher esteem than Archbishop Keane, but that he had made it an iron-clad rule to refuse all invitations to dinners except those from his Cabinet officers. . . . The cleverest speech of the evening was made by Webster Davis, Assistant Secretary of the Interior, who in a most witty manner denounced sectionalism of all sorts as well as religious prejudice. He designated Archbishop Keane as one of the most thoroughly American citizens this country has ever produced, and this sentiment, coming from a man who is strongly Protestant in his religious belief, was heartily applauded. There were over 200 guests present, and but for the fact that no more could be accommodated, there would have been a much larger attendance. . . . Among the guests were many men who never attend events of this character, but who made an exception in the case of the distinguished prelate who is to leave here in a few days to resume his post of duty at Rome. Other prominent persons present, besides the members of the Cabinet, were National Committeeman Kerens, of Missouri; Senator Roach, of North Dakota; Dr. Conaty, rector of the Catholic University; General Vincent, of the army; ex-Chairman Harrity, of the Democratic National Committee; Commissioner of Immigration Powderly, Admiral Ramsey, and several Protestant clergymen."

In a letter from the Vatican to the New York Sun, July 11, 1892, it was said: "What the church has done in the past for others, she will now do for the United States." The "church" is certainly succeeding. She deceives that she may bind. She ensnares in the deceiving. In all this the Catholic Church is acting consistently. But wo be to that land that crowns her mistress. Its fate may be read in Spain and Italy.