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Show iGosing Exercises I I ' Catholic University ' j (Correspondence Intermountain Catholic.) Washington, D. C, June S.--Rev. Father Kerby, Ph. D.r of Sioux City, la., preached the graduating sermon, taking for his subject "The Academic ; Spirit," on Sunday last. He said in part: , ! "However we may differ about the exact . function of higher schools, they exist alone for truth. Hence the basic element in the university' spirit, or, as it ; may be called, the academic spirit, . should be love of truth accompanied : by intellectual honesty. Thereby uni-1 uni-1 versities are protected against sham ' and pretence, and individual members are strengthened Jn their high and noble no-ble work. A second element in the academic spirit is reverence for truth. Their cause is holy; hence the tricks of competition must be forever barred from the university. Universities are protected against fraud and the degradation deg-radation of scholarly standards and methods only when their spirit is marked by reverence for the cause which they represent. A third element is the sense of responsibility to truth for the opportunities enjoyed in university uni-versity organization; since that should appear in both teacher and student. Hence the academic spirit is essential ly intolletant of idleness, laziness, inertia. in-ertia. A fourth element is the sense of limitations; scholars recognize limitations, limi-tations, are never exclusive, nor narrow nar-row nor intollerant. Another element is loyalty to the university, loyalty to its ideals and purposes, and to itself as an Institution. Secondary elements in the academic spirit are found in methods of work! in thoroughness, accuracy, ac-curacy, patience." The speaker traced the relation of this spirit to the spiritual life of the scholar, and showed the important services ser-vices which, may be rendered by the genuine academic spirit to the work of personal sanctification. Concluding, the speaker called attention to the. unique character of this university as Catholic, Cath-olic, and showed, that solid, consistent Catholicity must be an element in the spirit fostered. The conferring of degrees by Cardinal Cardi-nal Gibbons, the Chancellor of the university, uni-versity, took place in the assembly room, McMahon hall, on Thursday. BY CARDINAL'S HAND. Graduation day attracted a large and distinguished gathering to the Catholic University of America. The assembly hall of McMahon hall was the scene of the exercises, and the stage was occupied by leading dignitaries of the church in this country, as well as representatives rep-resentatives of educational institutions of Kevprnl fnrptp-n pnvornmpTik A nmnir the decorations of the stage was a beautiful Papal flag on which was painted the Papal insignia, the gift of the Sisters of the Holy Cross Academy. Cardinal Gibbons, the chancellor of the university, who conferred the degrees, de-grees, clad in his resplendent scarlet robes and wearing the beratta, sat in the center of the stage, with Right Rev. Mgr. Conaty, rector of the university, at his right, and Rev. Dr. Garrigan, j vice rector, at his left. Others on the j stage were Archbishop Martinelli, the : papal delegate, and Drs. Rooker and : Marchetti of the papal legation; Bishop j Foley of Detroit, the Spanish and Hai-I Hai-I tian ministers, Baron Ambrozy of the j Austrian legation, representatives of j the German embassy and Chinese le- gation, Mr. Gerald Lowther of the Brit-j Brit-j ish embassy, President Whitney, S. J.; Revs. Edward McTammany and Timothy Tim-othy O'Leary, S. J., and Dr. Faust of Georgetown University; Rev. Dr. Fink of Gonzaga College, Dr. Charles Clinton Swisher of the Columbian University, Senator Maginnis of Montana, Mr. James J. Power of. New York and Mr. Loeffler of PittsburgHon. Terence V. Powderly, Mr. Wood, attorney general of Alaska; Revs. James F. Mackln, Eugene Eu-gene Harmon and Joseph F. Foley of Washington, D. C; Revs. J. DeWolf. Louis O'Donovan, Joseph C. Mallon and F. E. Gegot of Baltimore, Very Rev. Walter Elliott. C. S. P., president St. Thomas college; very Rev. J. B. Descruex, S. M., president Morist College; Col-lege; Very Rev. P. J. Franciscus, C. S. C, president Holy Cross College: Very Rev. Godfrey Schilling, O. F. M., superintendent su-perintendent College of the Holy Land; Very Rev. L. M. Dumont, S. S., president presi-dent Divinity College, and Rev. Henry M. Chapins, S. S., and the teaching corps of all the schools of the university uni-versity in full academic dress. MONSIGNOR CONATY'S ADDRESS Monsignor Coriaty opened the exercises exer-cises with introductory remarks, in which he began by reviewing the work of the year, which was the beginning of the second decade of the existence of the institution as a university. The attendance of students had been larger than ever before. Continuing, Mgr. Conaty said: "The university has been encouraged in its financial efforts during the year by the magnanimous action t f Archbishop Arch-bishop Keane, my worthy predeces.nr. With a singlemindedness and devoted-ness devoted-ness which have never been surpassed, or, I may say, equaled, he has accepted the burden of laboring for the completion comple-tion of the endowment fund, the foundations foun-dations of which he so successfully laid several years before. . "The organization of the university is now a vast one, its work very complicated, com-plicated, the burdens of every day demanding de-manding close attention from those in charge of the administration. To complete com-plete the organization, to perfect it in matters of detail, to watch and care for its improvement and development, demands de-mands the close attention of the rector and it is truthful to say that in its present pres-ent condition it may be satisfactorily compared with any other institution Before passing from the financial outlook, out-look, I may mention that among the features of the year's work figures the gift of $o0,000 by air. Michael Cudahy of Chicago, a member of our board of trustees; th establishment by New England of the ArchbishoD William chair and by St. Louis of the Archbishop Arch-bishop Kenrick chair, each intending to be a gift of ;50,000. Besides these several individual girth-of $5,000 and several for smaller amounts have been received by Archbishop Keane for the general endowment. Following the ex-: ex-: ample set by the Total Abstinence Union Un-ion of America and the Ancient Oorder of Hibernians, the Knights of Columbus Colum-bus are about to endow a chair of American histry and the Catholic Knights of America a chair of English literature for a similar sum. This gives a brief outline of, the financial effort made by the university during the year. REALIZING ITS IDEALS. "It Is not necessary for me to emphasize empha-size how successfully the universitv has attempted to realize its iripnta ir the mind of the great pontiff, who gave to tt the authority of the church in its constitutions, it was destined to be a center of educational force along the lines of higher studies in all the fields of knowledge. It was to build itself upon the truth, as made known to us through the church of God. It was to be a teacher of sound doctrine, thoroughly thor-oughly loyal to the best traditions of the church, unflinching arid unwavering unwaver-ing in its fidelity to Catholic doctrine and steadfast in its devotion to the holy see. It has aimed at the building up of a body of learned priests and learned laymen who, in church and state, would be prepared to defend the interests of truth. It has not only offered the opportunities op-portunities for specialization which the age demands in scholarship, but it also seeks for that resutt by which the church may not be lost in the seeker after minutiae. The university should stad for that scholarship which is ex-pressed ex-pressed in the general culture which forms the gentleman and the scholar. j This culture is not merely to be found j in a specialist, but which, as has re- j cently been said, is the foundation upn which specialism is to be bui't. Th. well trained faculties of a university give the students the advantages which. ; come through the scholarly teachers, who will develop- in them their, tati-.s for higher study. LOYALTY TO GOD AND TO COUNTRY. COUN-TRY. "This institution prides itself in the fact that it offers as the basis of Its instruction a sound philosophy with nothing uncertain and no vagaries." said Mgr. Conaty in conclusion. "Her is taught Christian philosophy, whiclt makes all sciences realize that they arn built upon the truth, linking all scl- S ences together as a part of the har- I monious whole, showing the relations i of all things with the great center truiu of God. The world of scholarship today. ' I outside thc church, is suffering from the lack of sound philosophy. It has lost the meaning of soul and immortality, immor-tality, it has removed itself from all ideas of the supernatural, its salvation is in the return of the truth a.s made known to us through Christ. This unt-versity. unt-versity. this Catholic University, looks j to the great St. Thomas as its instrtie- ; tor in sound philosophy. It prides itself in being associated with the best traditions tra-ditions of educational life in the sreat university systems of the past. It stands on the hill-top of highest endeavor; en-deavor; its doors open to all men who, with character and ability, seek knowl- , edge. The cross is its illumination, th church its mother, Christian scholarship its teachers and truth its goal. Here in the capital of the nation it gives forth its lessons of light and life to mind and heart, believing that truth which illumines illu-mines intellect will also purify heart, g and that loyalty to God that there may be loyalty to country. Th cross and the flag symbolize in its life devotion; to church and country; the cross of Christ and the flag of the nation's aspirations." as-pirations." When the rector concluded the applause ap-plause which had frequently Interrupted Interrupt-ed him was generous and continued. , THE GRADUATES. Professor D. W. Shea, director of the school of Technological Sciences,, then presented candidates for derrees in technology, and as each came Vor ward he knelt before Cardinal Gibbons and kissed the latter's ring. Rector Conaty then handed the diploma to th? cardinal, who, in turn, presented it to the graduate, with his blessing. One; j of the graduates was a young colored r man, Jbranc.s De tales bmitn, ot tnia city, and when he went forward to receive re-ceive his diploma as master of science the entire assemblage broke into enthusiastic enthu-siastic applause. The others who received re-ceived degrees in this jjchool were: Civil Engineer John Peter Murray, j B. S. (Catholic University of America), of Chicago, - Ills.; dissertation, "Van ! Buren Street Approich Over By-Pass." ! George Vincent Powers, B. S. (Cathollo C University of America), of Central Park, L. I.; dissertation, "Founda- i tions." Electrical Engineer William Edward Kennedy, A. B., A. M. (Mt. St. Aiary'3 College), of Waterburv. Conn.; disser- 1 tation. "A Study ot the Electrical Lighting Plant of the Catholic University Univer-sity of America." LAW AND PHILOSOPHY. Professor W. G. Robinson, dean of tha law faculty, presented the candidates for law degrees, which were conferred as follows: Bachelor of Laws Albert Joseph ' Leoiiler, A. B. (Holy Ghost College), of Pittsburg, Pa.; John Joseph JlcKone of Hartford, Conn.; John Daniel Rodgera, A. 13. (Sacred Heart College;, of Baltimore, Balti-more, Jld. Master of Laws Charles Henry God-dard, God-dard, A. B. (Humboldt; LL. B., (Chicago (Chi-cago University), of Hurley, S. D.; John Lorenzo Love A.B.. A.M. (Ober-lin); (Ober-lin); LL.B. (Catholic University of America), of Washington. D. C. The latter, who was unavoidably absent, is, like Mr. Smith, a colored man. The degree of master of philisophy Joseph Philip Gerry. A.B. (Johns Hopkins) Hop-kins) of Washington, D. C, whose dissertation dis-sertation was "The Sonnet as an index to English Literature." GRADUATES IN THEOLOGY. Then followed the impressive ceremonies cere-monies connected with the theological candidates. They were presented by Very Rev. C. P. Grannan. dean of the faculty of theology, and previous to receiving re-ceiving their degrees recited in Latin the profession of faith. The degree of bachelor of sacred theology the-ology was conferred on John S. Cape-sius, Cape-sius, Society of Mary; Rev. Patrick Leo Crayton. Ph.B. (St. John's Seminary. Brighton), archdiocese of Boston; Rev. Michael Joseph Crowley, diocese of Detroit; De-troit; Rev. Charles James Donohoe, diocese of Davenport; Rev. John Edmund Ed-mund Fitzgerald, A.B.. A.M. (Niagara University), diocese of Albany; Rev Francis Frederick Formaz. A.B.. A.M. (St. Francis College. Quincy. Ills.), diocese dio-cese of Alton; Rev. Thomas Leo Healy, Ph.B. (St. John's Seminary, Brighton) f Congregation of St. Paul: Rev. Michael I Joseph McSorley, archdiocese of Phil- f adelphia; Rev. Francis Ignatius Pur- 1 tell, archdiocese of Philadelphia; Rev. f Casimir Smogor. 'Congregation of tha I Holy Cross; Rev. John Thomas Stinson, A. B. (Boston College), archdiocese o? f Boston. i The degree of licentiate in sacred the- ology was conferred on Rev. Komanus Rutin, S. T. B. (Catholic University of America), Society of Mary, maxima cum laude; dissertation, "Rational Preparation For an Act of Faith." Rav John Henry O'Nell. S. T. B. (Catholic University of America), diocese of Og-densburg, Og-densburg, cum laude; dissertation, "Comporative Study of the Logos Doctrine Doc-trine of St. John and of Philo." Rev. John Augustine Ryan, S. T. B. (Catholic (Catho-lic University of America), archdiocese of St. Paul, maxima cum laude; dissertation, disser-tation, "Some Ethical Aspects of Speculation." Spec-ulation." Rev. John Smythe, S. T. B. (Catholic University of America), archdiocese arch-diocese of San Francisco, maxima cum laude; dissertation, "Is Predestination Primarily to Grace or to Glory ?A Positive Pos-itive Study." Rev. William Lawrence Sullivan, Ph. B. (St. John's Seminary. Brighton), S. T. B. (Catholic University of America), congregation of St. Paul magna cum laude; dissertation, "Some Theoretic Implicates of Modern Philosophy." Philos-ophy." REMARKS OF CARDINAL GIBBONS Cardinal Gibbons made an impressive and scholarly address to the graduates. gradu-ates. He heartily congratulated them upon the well-merited honors they had received, and upon the privilege they had enjoyed of pursuing their studies at tne catholic University of America. ! It was an enviable and profitable privi- . leere. because the Catholic University i was not like other schools, which wera I constantly seeking and never at tha f truth. While they were constantly asking "Where is the truth?" the- t young men before him could cry out in i the fullness of joy. "I have found tha I truth here; I have found the truth." f They had not been taught like other I students that there was an irreconcil- I able difference, an impassable chasm. I betveen science and revelation. "They I are children of the same father," ex- I claimed the cardinal. "They are Martha and Mary over again ; Martha. f science, busy with the affairs of tha I world; Mary, revelation, kneeling f reverently at the feet of her God." f In conclusion, he urged the graduates j to endeavor to do all in their power to I (Coa tinned on paga 3.) I Closing Gxcrcfses ! atbolsc University (Continued from page 4.) promote science and religion and thus . Meet honor upon themselves and upon Tlieir alma mater." A TRIBUTE TO JOSEPH BANIGAN. A pleasing event not marked on the programme then occurred. The audience audi-ence had noticed during the exercises a large picture on an easel and covered vith an American ilag. At the conclusion conclu-sion of the tribute paid to the cardinal, when his brief remarks were concluded the i!ag was removed and the kindly face of the late Joseoh Banigan the founder c.f the chair of political economy at the university, was dis-' dosed. Rector Conaty arose simultaneously simul-taneously with the unveiling and addressing ad-dressing Cardinal Gibbons said: ; "It is my duty to ask your eminence ' es chancellor of the university to ac-, ac-, c. pt as the gift of Mrs. James E. Sullivan Sul-livan of Providence, R. I., the portrait c.f her distinguished father, the lat Joseph Banigan. the founder of the chair of political economy in this university. uni-versity. With grateful acknowledgment acknowledg-ment I -n-ish to recognize the kindness which prompts this gift, and I ask that it be assigned a place among the iliustrious men and women whose portraits por-traits decorate the walls of our university, uni-versity, to remind all who visit our halls of the generosity bv which the v.i v.xwiuiu- mgner education nas been inaugurated and maintained. Tne name of Joseph Banigan is sacred to the cause of charity and education. A young Irish lad of six years, he came to America in JS4.". Meager opportunities opportuni-ties were offered him for education, as at nine years of age we find him at work, soon to be apprenticed to the trade of jeweler, which he learned. His powers of observation were remarkable, remark-able, and his genius for the development develop-ment of new processes soon led him into the discovery of a means for vulcanizing rubber, which laid the foundation of the immense fortune which he accumulated. He had a marvelous power of organization and a brilliant executive ability, which were the sources of the success which resulted In the title of rubber king, by which he was known in the world of business. "Self-education which was the re-suit re-suit of close observation and attention j to detail made him familiar with every j part of the immense business which his genius developed. His contact with j men brought out the tremendous resources re-sources of his native ability, and he was recognized not only as a prince in business methods, but also a man of very general culture. Men wondered at his successes in every field of mer- cantile endeavor. Men respected his judgment and sought his advice. His name was synonymous with success, it was also synonymous with charity. Educational, charitable and religious j work found in him a generous friend, j No charity appealed to him in vain, j t was said at the time of his death that he was publicly known to have distributed over a million dollars in I harity. God alcne knows how much I more, for the poor lost in him their j best friend. The homes instituted and I endowed by him are memorials of his great Catholic heart, which saw in the poor a child of God and a brother of Christ. He became interested in the university, which he considered, as he told me himself, the greatest work of the church in our generation. His en- dowment of the chair of political economy arose from his desire to have j the correct principles of the church enter into our political life. He felt the need of books, and he began, tv:o and a half years before his death, the endowment en-dowment of the library of our lay schools. He promised $4,000 a year until the fund would reach $50,000. He was honored by our holy father. Leo XIII. and he bears on his breat the tnedal of the Knights of St. Gregory, which constituted him a member of the Immediate body guard of his holiness. He died July US. 1S9S, a martyr to his devotion to business. "We are proud of the sturdy Catholic faith which gave motive to his life and generosity. He was fearless in denouncing de-nouncing wrong and entirely without j' alousv in his relations with others. He regarded wealth as a gift from God. to be used for the benefit of humanitv, and he practiced what he believed. He was our friend, and we loved and respected him. He was our benefactor, and we honor him. His ex-triple ex-triple will remain to point to his life j :.s a model of success through business j irtegritv. A simple faith was his-j blessing", and he valued his Catholicity) more than his immense wealth. May j l is memory be ever cherished in our , university as the memory of a Cath- j .!ic who loved his church, his race and his country, and used his wealth to benefit mankind." cardinal Gibbons held an impromptu reception in the corridor after the exercises ex-ercises and hundreds paid their hom-r.ge hom-r.ge to him. |