Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-05-25
Laying the Cornerstone of the College
at Washington.

Laying Un1 COrner-SuOne OF the college
at Washington.
Copyright, 1855, by The California associated PressI
WASHINGTON, May 24th,-The corner
stone of the new Catholic University of
America was laid here this afternoon. A
driving rain and a sharp east wind kept
hundreds of Jealous Catholics from being
present at this, one OF the most important
events in the history of the Church. The
idea OF building great seat of learning at
the Capital of the United States has long
been cherished in the minds of the ladies
of the church, but it did not take form
until about two years ago, when Miss Mary
L. Caldwell, one of the Sisters, who inher-
tied fortune of about 81 100000, donated
$30O,OO as nucleus of the project. Since
that time about half million dollars in
addition has been raised. partly in cash
and partly in promises to pay, and the vast
scheme of education contemplated is in a
fair way to be carried out.
The building is named Divinity Build
ing, and is only one of six others that
are to follow. In parchment deposited
in the cornerstone of the building
to-day the object of the University is set
forth as follows: The end proposed by
the Council of Baltimore in founding a
Washington University is to establish a
perpetual institution-not merely to up
hold and strengthen the law of God, the
Creator and Redeemer of the human race
but also to shed luster on the Catholic re-
ligion by supplying it with proofs, clearer
and clearer every day, drawn from sacred
and profane learning and successive dis
coveries resulting from Investigations car
ried on by men of genius and, further
more, the University is intended to furnish
young men with such training in mind and
character as will best qualify them to con-
tribute, in the capacity of citizens, to the
honor and defense of their country. Insti-
tutions for the instruction of graduates of
the colleges in the departments of law
science, medicine and classics will be estab-
lished, and the institution will be self-sup-
porting, so far as the means of pupils will
permit"
THE EXERCISES.
Owing to the storm the grand parade, of
which General Rosecrans was Chief Mar
shal, was omitted. There was a very large
attendance of the clergy and laity. Among
the prelates present were Cardinal Glib
bons, Archbishops Williams, Elder, Corri-
gan, Ryan, Salpointe and Ireland; Bishops
Northrup, Keane, Moore, Kahn, Curtis,
Mcmahon, O'Rielly Harkins, Spalding,
Gilmore, Maer, Richter, Rodemacher,
Marty, Fitzgerald, O'Sullivan, Janssens,
Ryan, Wigger, McNierney, Phelan, Nc
Govern, Machebuf and Haid, and about
400 priests.
. The programme of the day was as
follows: Opening athem, The Heavens
are Opening " (Haydn), choir and full Ma
rine Band second, blessing of the site of
the chapel by Cardinal Gibbons, during
which two hundred choristers from st.
Mary's Seminary and st. Charles College
chanted Psalm lxxxiii., third the blessing
and laying of the cornerstone by the Car
dinal, the choristers chanting Psalm cxxvi.;
fourth, procession of the Cardinal and at
teudant clergy around the building, bless
ing the foundations; fifth, invocation of
the Holy Ghost, Veni Creator Spiritus, -
choir and full Marine Band; sixth, dis
course by Right Rev. John Lancaster
Spalding, Bishop of Peoria seventh,
" Oremus Pro Pontifce Nustro Leone" by
the choristers; eighth, benedictiOn by Car
dinal Gibbons; ninth, Allelua chorus
(Handel), by the choir and full Marine
Band
Bishop Spading's address was an elo-
Quent review Of the work of the Church in
the cause of education in the past and its as
pirations for the future. In closing be said
Sweet home, where wisdom, like mother. shall
lead her children in pleasant ways,
And to their thoughts touch of heaven lend:
From thee claim for my faith ana my country
more blessings than can speak
Our scattered knowledges together bind;
our freedom consecrate to noble aims
To music set the visions of the mind;
Give utteranee to the truth, poor faith pro-
claims.
Lead where the perfect beauty lies enshrined;
Whose sight the blood of low-born passion
tames.
And now, how shall l more fittinglv
conclude than with the name of her whose
generous heart and enlightened mind were
the impulse that has given to what had
long been hope deferred and to dream
like vision existence and a dwelling place
Mary Gwendoline Caldwell?"
The feature of the days ceremony was
the presentation to Miss Caldwell by the
Cardinal of gold medal from the Pope
and Trustees of the University. 1t was her
gift that started the movement that led to
to-day's ceremonies, and has won for her
this special mark of Pontifical favor.