The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1888-06-01
Corner stone Of = Cathlic Unfver.
sity Laid.


WAsmseTos. Nay 2l.-Ths conversion.
|of the Catholic University, two mile,
north Of this city, Was laid to-day with
Imposing remonies. Il attraced visit,
|ors from eli over the United States and
Canada, many OF the most distinguished
Prelates Of the Church being present
Al 4 o'clock the ceremonies began in the
midst Of : driving rain. Despite thil
upwards Of 5000 people congregated ID
and about the foundation OF the Univer.
sity, and with uplifted umbrellas, stood
for two hours in the rain, while the Ger.
emonies progressed. Cardinal Gibbons
occupied the throne Of honor, with Presi.
dent Cleveland on bis len. Several
members Of the Cabinet, Secretaries Bay.
ard, Villas, Endicott, and Postmaster
General Dickinson occupied seats to the
Presidents left. About the Cardinal
were seated many Archbishops. Priests
to the number Of 200, and seminarians
10 the number Of 400, we're seated IN the
reariof the Bishops.
The President and Cardinal sat during
the ceremonies with uncovered heads.
an attendant holding IN umbrella over
them. None Of the clergy wore vest
ments, but instead overcoats and gosss-
mers. Under such unpropitious circum-
stances was the cornerstone OF the great
Catholic University laid to-day. Cardi.
nal Gibbons called the bedrsggled crowd
to order in . few words, when he re-
turned thanks 20 God for the bright
prospects with which the Univcrsity
started. He then introduced Bishop
Spalding, ofPeoris, Ill, the orator Of the
day. He delivered most finished ora
ton, which was received with much en-
thusiasm. He dwelt upon the beauty
and strength Of . republican government.
as aGording nearer approach to ideal
liberty than all Others. He paid Z glow
ing tribute to science and said Il va I
handmaid Of religion. In closing be
complimented most highly Miss Mary
GewndoIin Caldwell, who started The
movement to found the University and
contributed the $4,000 which formed
the nucleus Of the present fund.
At the conclusion Of Bishop Spauld.
ing's address, Bishop Keano, Of Rich.
m0nd, the rector Of the University. read
the Papai brief, accompanying gold
medal sent BY Pope Leo XII 70 MisI
Caldwell, - expressing His Holiness
appreciation Of her muni6cent act. Tht
medal is Of the purest gold. about two
inches In diameter. struck e the beoin
|ning Of the year 1886. By order OF ID,
Pope, II commemoration Of the efghtl
year OF bis pontidcate- The fsce OF ID,
medal contains . srlendid profile Of ID,
Pope himself with the inscription OF BIZ
name and the year or his pontificate
The reverse side represents The ReniuI
|ot history, lifted al0ft b. the angels oI
the Lord, with % Inscription commem.
|orating the opening Of the archives oI
the Vatican 70 the historical researches
of the scholars Of the world. This wss
presented to Miss Caldwell By Cardinal
Gibbons, who placed * about her meek.
The corner stone was then laid By the
Cardinal, copies Of the local papers, cur
rent coin, the DEGREES OF the third pie
nary council, &c, being placed under Il
This completed the Inauguration Of what
10 designed by its founders TO Be the
greatest seat Of religious learning on
the Western hemisphere.
While the Bishops and few specially
invited guests were dining with The Car
dinaI at Or. Chapelle's the following cab
Iegram Qn LAtiD) was received from the
Pope: The "Pontiff offers bis hearty con-
gratuIations for the work that has Just
been begun and gives his Apostolic
blessing 70 al the Bishops.7 Almost i'm
following came : cablegram
Irom Rome asking full details Of cere-
monies, TO which an answer was imme-
7iately cabIed bv Bishop Keana.