The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-10-18
Mr.. MKINLDYS DEGREE.
Impressive Ceremonies at the Uni
versity Of Chicago.
PRAISE FOR OHIEF MAGISTRATE.
Warm Words of Encomium by the
Speakers at tile Ceremonies Which
Created the First American d Doc
tor of Laws.

Chicago. Oct. 1s.-The University of
Chicago yesterday conferred upon
President Mckinley the degree Of doc
tor of laws. Eight hundred people, as
many as could be jammed into Kent
theater applauded to the echo as
President Harper placed around the
shoulders of the nations executive the
hood of purple-purple to indicate, as
Dr. Harper said in Latin. that the
recipient of the degree had surpassed
other men in native genus and de-
voted to It," The exercises at the uni
versity, while hampered very much by
wet weather, were still impressive to
an extraordinary degree.
The president spent the morning
quietly, receiving only those callers for
whom appointments had been pre-
viously made among them being Sena-
tor Fairbanks, of Indiana. Shortly be-
fore ~ o'clock he left the residence
of Captain Lafayette McWiliams, en-
tered carriage and was driven rap
idly to the White House. Of the uni
versity, the home of President Harper.
Here luncheon was served to the presi-
Dental party, the faculty Of the COL
lege and few invited guests. prom
inent among whom were Archbishop
Ireland, of st. Paul. Rev. DR.. John
Henry Barrows and Thomas B. Bryan.
Mrs. Mckinley was not present at the
luncheon. but Joined the party at Kent
theater in time to witness the con-
ferring of the degree upon her dis
tinguished husband
Before entering the theater Mr. Nc
Kinley mounted stand in front Of
DR.. Harper's residence, where he stood
under an umbrella and reviewed long
line OF students of Chicago university
and its affiliated institutions. At
o'clock the president entered Kent
theater amid great enthusiasm. DR..
Harper took the seat in the center of
the stage, flanked by President Nc
Kinley and Rev. DR.. Charles D. Hem
derson. chaplain of the university. The
president presented a striking ap-
pearance, attired in the cap and gown.
After prayer by DR.. Henderson the
address on behalf of the trustees was
given by Rev. DIR. Alonzo X. Barker.
He spoke on the firm foundation OF
national peace" and his concluding
sentences were terse and significant.
He finished as follows:
"Dlvine, indeed, were the tasks for
which the good sword excalibar was
appointed. 1t must drive out the
heathen hordes from the fair fields they
would lay waste; it must ruthlessly
cut down the cruel and bloody men by
whom the defenseless were oppressed;
In holy vengeance it must make short
work with all who withstand estab-
lished order and defy righteous laws.
But to the divinely appointed tasks of
the sword there is an end. Hail the
promise of that day Then. in the great
banqueting hall. where the feast of the
jubilee of peace Is spread men shall
turn from the solemn glory of the win
dows which emblazon righteous wars,
to fix their eyes upon the great western
window, vacant no longer. but glowing
now with the pictured record of that
achievement most illustrious and men,
orable In human annals, in which war
itself is conquered and the sword of
warfare is east away"
After the singing of America" Pro-
fessor Albion w. Small delivered the
address on behalf of the congregation.
Throughout his address he was greeted
by unbounded enthusiasm. his remarks
in commentator Of the presidents
course during the troubles with Spain
being received with resounding cheers.
In conclusion he addressed President
Mckinley directly as follows:
I'm expressing to you, sir. our respect,
our gratitude and our admiration, the
members Of the university believe that
we voice general Judgment of the
citizens of the republic. You have hon
ored, while you have represented the
nation, by the careful poise, the eau
tious prudence, the courageous pa
tience, the constant patriotism with
which you have discharged the Pc
culiar task Of your administration. You
have led the nation upon triumphant
march of forebearing peace and Of un-
faltering war At every step your
leadership has won loyal approval. We
congratulate you. sir. upon this secure
result of your official life. Your eXer-
else of the presidential prerogative has
increased the prestige Of the chief
magistracy and exalted the standards
to which it must henceforward con-
FORM
Solemnly and impressvely the dean
and the president of the university then
III l1dllu TIE lDIUtuldc COl-
ferring the degree of LID. upon the
president of the United States.
When the purple lined hood was
placed around Mr.. McKinley's shoulder
the audience broke into cheers. which
lasted fully five minutes Throughout
the exercises the president did not
speak one word. merely bowling in
response to the words of the colleglans
and the demonstrations of the audience.
At o'clock he left the university
grounds and was driven to the First
regiment armory, where for some time
he received the public informally.
Great crowds Of people thronged the
streets. clamoring for admission to the
armory, and ony part succeeded in
meeting the president during the time
schs0lled for the reception. During
the handshaking number Of young
women. and one or two not so young,
tried to kiss the president, but, al
though there were several narrow es-
capes, none of the ambitious ones sue
ceeded A number Of y,en and women
kissed the presidents hand. however.
In the evening dinner was rendered
the president at the Auditorium hotel
by President Harper of the university,
Jesse James Indicted.