Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-01-27

The proposed Catholic University its objects
and aims were discussed at q public meeting last
evening at Masonic Temple. The hall was well
nlled when Cardinal Gibbons, attended by Bishops
keane, Ireland, and Moore, came In As he passed
along the middle aisle to the stage the audience
arose and remained standing. The cardinal wore
3 red cassock and the bishops their purple cas-
socks The meeting was opened with prayer said
by the cardinal Then in a few pleasant words the
cardinal referred TO the bishops who were going TO
speak, and said that they needed no Introduction
from him The first speaker was Bishop Keane,
@ tar rector OF sne new university. In his opening
he had OF his residence In this city, and said that
when here he always told his friends 20 can him
Father keane, as they had been accustomed TO do.
He said that he felt the new responsibilities OF the
direction or the new university too great for him
10 bear. He had intimated as much TO the pope
when he had an hour interview with him about a
year ago In Rome, but the pope commended the de-
sign OF q university, ana told him 10 be
ceed The Bishop u them them SPOKE ~ s0ula iS ao- elo-
quent terms OF the scheme OF the university.
he said that its establishment would contribute 70
the glory OF God and the safety OF the church lie
regarded the abasement and error OF learning as a
perpetual menace 10 the church, and one object OF
the university would be To demonstrate that trutn
is more learned than error. He combatted the
idea that Intellectual attainments were opposed 10
religion, and said that the truths or nature and
versity would furnish convincing proof that there
was no real conflict between religion and science.
1t was proposed teach science at the university,
and religion would sit enshrined as a queen amid
all the sciences
RELIGION, SCIENCE AND PATRIOTISM.
He spoke OF the importance to the safety and
prosperity OF the nation that religious principles
should pervade society. He said that no truer
words had been spoken than were uttered In this
city not long ago by the President when he said
that the welfare OF the nation was best conserved
by the prevalence or Christian principles Sucn
sentiments, the speaker thought were worthy or
the Chief Magistrate OF this nation, and show ed
that he believed In the truth that should
be the guide or Official action. The bishop said
that the new university would welcome all young
men TO It's halls whether Catholics or Protestants
Instead OF its being injury or obstacle TO exist
ing schools and colleges IL would be OF actual bene-
nj 10 them The university did not antagonize
colleges 1t was a step higher IL would supple
ment the education OF tue college and furnish a
course. He then said that while the
cuton received the favor OF the holy father and OF
the church, yet in order TO succeed money Was
needed, and for this be would make an appeal
Baltimore had done nobly, and he thought that
this city should give generous aid. He referred TO
the donation already received and said that
young lady was so much Interested that the day
she obtained possession OF her paUernal estate she
dedicated one-thrd 10 this cause and gave the
noble sum or S}O0,O0O. He mentioned the gift OF
so rom IA poor servant girl, and The promise OF
he wanted all to give, whether the amount was
large or small He asked that collectors be sent
through the audience TO gather the cards which
had been distributed at The door. W. ii. Lepey,
E. ]. Hannah, 7. j. sullivan, Edmond Mallett,
Messrs. Smith. Leonard, Bogus, McHenry. Watts
" Woodward, and DeyerauX performed this duty
quietly while Bishop Ireland made an address.
BISHOP IRELASD's PATRIOTISM
The bishop said that 1t was hitting that the Gen.
tenary OF the establishment OF the hierarchy IN
the United states should be commenorated by the
establishment OF a university. In November, 1882
pected after the celebration ia the cathedral at
Baltimore, 10 come over 10 this city and inaugu-
rate this great enterprise. The last nundred ye
had been marked with great progress In the
church In America AT the opening OF the CEN
tury there was In the United States but one Cath
ole bishop, and small number OF Catholics scat
cred over a small portion OF the Eastern states and
In the extreme South. Now the Catholics num-
bered, at a moderate computation, nine million.
They had grown In numbers The speaker said
they had also grown In the confidence and esteem
OF the people. AT one time the foolish prejudice
was entertained that the church was hostile TO
the Institutions OF the country. Now IL is recog-
nized that there are no people more
loyal TO America and TO Amencan
institutions then the Catholics Having aitained
this prominence, the speaker continued, by the
practice OF their holy religion, they might with
confidence look forward To greater trumpns in the
future. The transition from the FIRST 70 the second
century OF the Catholic church In America would
be marked by a noble monument this university,
which will express the strength and hopes OF the
church 10 the world. He then went on 10 say that
the Catholic religion was one OF light, and needed
Intelligent minds for It's proper reception He SAID
that this was an age OF great Intellectual activity
helping men In the bold and fearless search alter
truth. The priests or the church had been doing
missionary work, establishing churches, schools.
&C. but now they were TO have men who would
devote their lives 10 examining all questions that
needed solution. Tothe new university the young
men could go for their answers 10 sceptical doubts
and 1t would be an arsenal from which to arm the
church In the conflict with unbelief.
WHY WASHINGTON WAS CHOSEN.
The university, he said was placed In this city,
In the center Of American life, because here IL
would be most widely known. They We're not
afraid Of the light: they courted IT, The speaker
said all Americans Were proud OF this beauti-
ful city, They felt that IL was their city and their
home. Other cities wanted the university; they
made splendid offers In Chicago they said to the
speaker: why didn't you locate the university
here? We would have run up the building for you
In a little while" But placed anywhere else, the
speaker said, the university would have been a
local institution; now 1t Will be national. Bishop
Ireland evoked laugh at the expense OF Father
Chapeile by saying tnat the latter had promised
that Washington would contribute $4,000 IL the
university was located here 81 intend TO hold DIR.
Chapelle TO this agreement" continued the bishop
sand If you don't contribute the money he will
have to pay IL himself"
The bishop then said that IN November 1889,
they expected 70 open the university. The divinity
department would be started f1rst, with eight or
ten professors, then the other faculties Tor the
laity faculties OF philosophy, letters, &C., until
the grand plan was realized.
fell ' no uneas,ness about the $1,000 % because he
felt confident that the people or Washington would
be generous In their support or the university pro-
OF university, because OF the prevalence OF error
and tine elevating influence which the diffusion OF
truth from slch q source would have upon the
country.
CARDINAL GIBBONS TALK.
Cardinal GIBBONS said a few concluding words.
He spoke OF the general interest In the new UNI
versity which he encountered during his recent
extended trip throughout the West. He said that
the university would be the center OF light. The
Catholic Church loved the light. There was no
ing to conceal. The aim OF the Church was 10
make men acquainted with the truth. There was
no real conflict between science and religion. Liae
Mary and Martha, they were sisters-daughters OF
material things while her sister Mary sat at the
feet OF her Lord. The cardinal conmended the
enterprise and predictedits success The audience
was then dismissed with his blessing
After the meeting the bishops said In private
conversation that about 10000 had alre dy been
subscribed In this city. Among the subscribers
was Thos. E Waggaman, who is one OF the trus-
tees and who gave e, 600 Col Bonaparte mas also
subscribed 81, 600. Bisuop keane Will be at St.
Patricks each day until Thursday next, and Bishop
Ireland will be at st. Matthews during the same
time. They will be glad 70 see al VINO are inter-
ested In the establishment or the new university.
TIE WORK 10 BEGIN IN MARCEL
Yesterday Bishop Keane, Of Richmond, the rec
tor OF the Catholic University, and Mr.. Baldwin, Of
Baltimore, the architect, had Q conference with
Mr., VIM. Forsyth, the surveyor OF the District, In
reference TO the location OF the buildings on the
Middleton property, near Brooks station. The rr-
suit " that Mr.. Forsyth was directed TO proceed
foupdafiops and 20 have them ready for the COM
mencement OF the excavation for The foundation
in March. This action settles the location.
CARDINAL GIBBONS
returned 70 Baltimore this morning. Bishops