Life — July 7, 1910 — page 15: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

"TE ee Spain, France and Rome royal decree amending the constitution, full privileges of public worship have been granted to non-Catho- lic societies in Spain. Protestants and other non-Catholics can have churches and hang out the signs that belong to them and meet in them as publicly as they choose. The Roman Catholic Church, as the established church of the country, still enjoys a state subvention, but there is a demand that it shall be stopped and that all the churches shall be put upon the same footing. That may come in time, for Spain is really stirring in these days. We confess that we did not know that these changes in the Spanish constitu- tion were necessary. How very far be- hind the times that poor, dear old coun- try has lagged. We do sincerely con- gratulate it on having cleared another obstruction from the path of free re- ligious competition. There is no better medicine for the Catholic Church in Spain. We have it here, and where is the Roman Catholic Church so prosper- ous as it is here? Of course the Vatican has protested, duly and promptly, against this forward step. Forward steps do not seem to be to the taste of the present Pope. We read that the French Government wants to treat with the French bishops about church —matters—property, seminaries and schools—in France, and that the bishops are willing to negotiate, but the Pope forbids, and says the negotiations must be directly between the French Gov- ernment and Rome. The French Gov- ernment is willing that the bishops shall submit the negotiations to the Pope for approval, but it won't treat with him directly, and he won't hear of any other method. That sounds very odd to an American. What can American Catholics think of it? The Popes appoint the cardinals and the cardinals elect the Pope. Most of the cardinals are Italians. Thought- ful Catholics of France, England, Ger- many, America, even perhaps, must ask themselves sometimes whom A MIGHTY GooD FELLOW 15> and whose interests the Pope really rep- resents. For these arc days of repre- sentative government, and the Pope and the cardinals govern the Catholic Church, The First Person, Singular Y reputation is a thing I value much, and fain would be A man whose praises all might sing; I’m fond of popularity. I'd like to hear my deeds extolled And be acclaimed both great and fine; I'd like to learn that I'm “ pure gold,"’ That merits great in me combine And yet, had I the luck to hear Such gossip, I should certainly Conjecture as it reached my ear The hero must be I, not me Oh, commendation makes me glow! I like to hear it loud and free; And yet, on hearing it, I know ‘Tis only I they mean—not me And that's the joker, keen and small, I find in praise and flattery: I'm willing to believe it all, But know it’s only I—not me. comicbooks.com