Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1899-06-24
MOUNT ANGEL
Commencement Exercises and Laying
Of the Corner Stone.
OF New Two Million Dollar Educa.
tiousl Institution Conducted by
Archbishop Christie

Last Wednesday, the 2lst, was me-
morable day for the Bendctine com
munity Of Mt. Angel. II not only
marked the close oi another successful
years work in their college Of learning,
but it was also the occasion Of the init
ial public ceremony attending the cree
tion Of building for their future use Of
such immense proportions, che very con
temptation ol which would discourage
and appall people less devoted, less
jealous or less Industrious than the or
ganized band of educators who have
planted the cross upon the crest Of the
little mountain.
The day was pleasant and crowds
ilocked 10 the place from every direction,
not only 10 witness the ceremonies Of
the day but 10 see and hear the new
archbishop Of Oregon, Most Rev. Alex
ander Christie, who was TO conduct the
services and TO appear for the first time
in public in Marion county. Early in
the day, cannOns were booming, bells
were ringing aud flags were flying in his
honor, and when the proper time ar
rived an immense concOurse Of people
formed In procession and marched mp
the butte TO the site Of the new mOnas-
terry. A wing "A by 200 feet il in course
Of completion and at the southwest cor
ner Of this Archbishop Christie, with
simple but imposing ceremony, laid the
corner stone in accordance with the
ritual Of the Catholic church.
The archbishop delivered a short but
powerful discourse on the beauties Of
Christian education and paid high
tribute 10 the labors Of the Bcncdictnes
who for nearly thirteen hundred years
have laborcd indefatigably aud with
no earthly reward ~ individuals, pre-
serving and compiling the truths of his
tory, through the dark ages, carrying
learning and Christianity 10 the very
ends Of the earth, building monuments
10 God and 10 the cause Of education
with their own skill and industry and
dcvoting themselves exclusively and un-
selfshly TO continuous toll in the inter
est Of mankind.
The new preate impresses the OBJ
server ~ n remarkable aud u great man.
Physically, he IL massive and strong, Of
handsome features, beaming, kindly
eye, countenance at once inviting per-
feet confidence, bearing Of natural dig
nifty, without the appearance OF artificial
or studied authority, in fact, personal
ity which commands respect without
the aid Of borrowed powers Ills voice Is
clear and pleasing 10 the ear, while his
language is simple and easily under
stodd. Ills addresses are not lengthy or
verbose, every sentence containing a
thought and his oratory is of the high
est and best of the modern style. In his
civic speech he is thoroughly American,
breathing patriotism and good citizen
ship in all Of his uttcrances. II can
safely be predicted that in all matters
requiring breadth Of thought, yigor Of
action and earnest zeal there are few
men in the Pacific Northwest who will
take such high rank ~ is destined to be-
attained 10y Archbishop Christie.
The ceremonies at the new monastry
ended, the crowd dispersed down the
mountain side, only 10 gather again AT
thecollcge for the.closing exercises there
during the afternoon. The interim was
busily employed In entertaining the
large numbers OF invited guests, whom
the Benedictine Fathers and Brothers
insisted should partakc OF their hospi-
tality aud no less than 500 people were
fed at their tables in the college dining
halls.
Shortly after 2o'clock the exercises
began aud program was rendered such
as il rarely enjoyed. There is not an
orchestra in the state, and few in the
whole country, with leaders So accom-.
| plished in music as that OF the Mt An.
gel college. 'Rey. Phcieui, Dominic and
hrnabas are recognized artists, not
only in perform ancc, but la compost.
( tion, and il is enjoyment long TO hc re-
mcmhered to sit and witness the dr.
lightiul accomplishments These gem
uemen throw their very souls into the
work and their instruments s'cm to
have an almost living conception OF the
fact throwing out the sweet aud din.
cult strains with glad accord. Through
ont the afternoon the large auditorium
was dlled with enchanting harmony.
which held the audience ia pleasing
| trance.
A military drama, composed hy Rev.
llarnahas Held was presented in a
manner lar above the usual college per.
iormance, The play itself Was crcdita.
bile la its conception and breathod forth
a spirit Of American patriotism, which
thrilled It's observers. The costumes
were fine, the numerous songs with
which Il ahoundei were we'll rendered,
the patriotic incidents were so realistic
as to bring tears quite plentimlly, and