Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-05-28

THE MARQUIsE DE MERINvILLE IS
SELECTED As THE RECIPIENT.
GIVEN FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICES
The History OF the Medni-Among
Former Recipients Were Augustin
DAILY, General Rosccrans, and Gene
raj John Newton.
Correspondence of the Dispatch.)

NOTRE DAME, IND, May 26.-One
woman of all the women in America has
been selected by the faculty of the Unit
verslty of Notre Dame to be the re-
cipient for the year 1899 of the famous
Laetare medal, which each year is pre-
scented to whoever, in the estimation OF
the faculty, has most distinguished him
or herself in the realm Of religion, educa-
ton. or morals. The woman who has
been thus honored is Mary Gwendolen
Caldwell, the chief founder OF the Catho-
lie University OF America. This IS only
the third time that the medal has been
presented to a woman.
The medal itself is a simple and beau
tiful emblem. From broad golden bar,
which bears the words. "Laetare Medal"
in purple enamel, depends massive disk
Of finest gold with raised edges and
sunlen centre. 1t Is a bit of art work
which any goldsmith might be proud to
claim as his creation. Though in genera!
the design never changes, each medal Is
unique. because the artist each year
strives 10 epitomize the care Of the one
10 whom It is awarded This years me-
dal bears on the diverse the usual legend,
"Nagna est Veritas ct Proevaebit' in
purple enamel, while the central neld Is
taken up by a relief Of Caldwell Han
Washington. the building founded by
Nine. Caldwell The reverse OF the DISK
Is much the same.
The woman 10 whom the 1899 medal IS
10 be presented is now the Marquise de
no IL 1nnUhfpT
Shakespeare Caldwell, who lived in
Fredericksburg. Va. Her mother was a
sister OF John G. breckenridge, one time
Vice President Of the United States. Nine.
Caldwell and her sister inherited large
fortune from her parents, who fere con-
yerts to the Catholic faith. When her
father was admitted into the Church he
founded o. hospital for the Sisters OF
Charity and a home for the aged under
the charge of the Little Sisters of the
Poor.
Mime. Caldwell attained her majority In
1886 seven years after the death or her
father. When she had assumed control
OF her estate, she went 10 Europe, and
became Interested in university work.
About this time she heard of the pro-
posed Catholic university. and she at once
offered the Council of Baltimore 100000
cornerstone OF the university building
was laid. This building IS called Caldwell
Hall. in honor of the benefactor.
At the laying Of the cornerstone. I'm
1888 Nine. Caldwell received a gold medal
from the Pope. This is magnificent eX-
ample of metal work. The face or the
medal bears the profile OF Leo KILL, and
on the reverse Is represented the Genius
of History borne aloft BY angels. The
medal symbolzes the advance Of learn
ing, and was deemed most appropriate for
woman that had so sigrally aided edu-
cation In America. The medal was ae-
companed by letter from the Pope, in
which he said: in order that TO the
praise deserved by her benctlcence should
be added some pledge of our appre-
citation, we entrusted 10 you gold medal
to be conveyed in our name to this ex-
celent lady; but now we have thought it
we'll to also write TO you. that by this
(our letter. her munificence may be made
better known and our gratitude more
manifest.
Since it's foundation, In 1888, by tho
University OF Notre Dame, the Laetare
Medal. as n mark OF distinction and re-
ward for eminent merit has been cOn-
fcrrcd upon some OF the greatest men
and women OF the land. Dr. John Gil
mary Shea. the historian Of the American
Church, the distinguished scholar, biblio-
grapher, and student of Indian dialects.
was httingly the first medallist. IL 1881,
Patrick Kelley. the Catholic architect,
who devoted his life to rearing magnin-
cent temples Of worship that still hold
his name. was the second wearer OF the
medal. Eliza Allen Starr, poet and ar
list was the first woman medanist The
I,L-
ton, who served with distinction In the
civil war, and whose fame was enhanced
by the gigantic work he accomplished in
blowing up He'll Gate, in New York har-
Dor
on whom tho medal was conferred in
1887 Is not matter OF public history.
The Medallist selected that year refused
to accept any ecclesiastical dignity that
might be offered him. for the reason that
he felt himself unfit FOR honOrs. His
modesty and humility were rlgldly re-
spected. Commentators T.. V. Hickey, is
the sixth In the list OF these distinguish
cd men and women. The next selection
was that or Mrs. Anna Hanson Dorsey,
one OF the foremost Catholic nOvelists OF
the land. The Hon. William j. Onahan,
of Chicago. was chosen By the trustees
in 1890. The following year the choice fell
upon the late Daniel Dougherty. Tenth
in order comes the name OF Henry +.
Brownson. whose name is more than a
reflection on his fathers. The venerable
journalist. Patrick Donahue. was the
worthy medalist of 1893. In 1894 the uni
versity conferred the honor on Mr.. An-
gustin DAILY, the foremost theatrical man
ager in America. On the following year
Mrs Anna r. Sadlier. received this marx
OF distinction for her worthy literary
iabors. In 1856 the medal was preaehleu
10 General Rosecrans, In 1881 10 Inomas