Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-02
AT CATHOLIC !y!.s.;veSelTY
LONG VISIT THE INSTITUTION.
Welcomed by Mgr. COnaty, the Rector
The Responses Made to
the Greetings.

The Catholic University was this after
noon honored by visit from the President,
who. with Secretary Long and Private Sec
rotary Cortelyou, called at the residence OF
the rector Monsignor Conaty. and accom-
panied by him and DR.. Garrigan, the vice
rector, met the professors and students in
the assembly room. McMahon Hall. The
President and Secretary Long occupied
seats on the platform. After the outburst of
applause with which the President was
greeted the rector, addressing himself to
the President, said in part:
Mr.. President: I extend to you in the
name of the Catholic University of America
a most cordial welcome on this your first
visit to our university halls. 1t is indeed, the
greatest possible honor that laying aside the
many cares of your busy official life, you
have found moments to spare in which to
come in upon us in this informal way and
to see us at our daily work. | extend to
you the welcome of the university. l need
hardly tell you, Mr.. President, that what
you see here in the group Of our buildings
and in the number of our students repre-
sentng all sections of our great country, is
the result of ten years of life and labor
as university. Built upon the idea of a
purely graduate university, the effort is
marked with great success.
The student body represents three dis
tinct classes in our church life: The priest,
the religious, who is one day to become a
priest and teacher. and the layman, who is
to enter into the various professions or de-
vote himself to educational work The aim
and purpose of the university are fixed by
the aims and purposes of the Catholic
Church in education and, like the Catholic
Church, with its message of knowledge to
the world, it knows no race line and no
color line, while it's doors are open to nom
Catholics who may desire to receive in
Struction at Its hands.
AristOcracy of Education.
I'VE recognize here no aristocracy but
the aristocracy of education, and we strive
to build that as the source of strength in
our national life. Mr. President, the cross
which surmounts our buildings is indicative
of our religious faith, and the flag which
floats to the breeze beside it Is indicative
of our national spirit. We are Catholic
holding our authority as an institution from
the pontifcal constitution granted US by
the holy father who founded this university.
and we are American. obtaining our legal
existence from the statutes Of this Dis
trict. Under this roof minds are taught to
love the cross and reverence the nag.
I'VE honor you, the chief executive OF
the republic, chosen by the suffrages of the
people to the office you SO nobly I'LL, and our
American hearts are filled with pride as
we welcome you under our university roof
Mr.. President, l present to you our facul-
ties and students and assure you OF the deep
appreciation that all feel for the honor you
have conferred upon u.s.
The President was greeted with great ap-
plause, the entire audience rising to do MIN
honor.
The President Responds.
President Mckinley said in reply:
II cannot refrain from responding In
few words for the most gracious welcome
given me on behalf of the university by the
honored rector of this institution. l am
pleased to meet both the faculties and pu-
pills of this institution of learning. l have
been glad to note building after building
rising on these grounds in the last half
dozen years, and l extend to you my cor
dial congratulations. 1t Is most agreeable
to me, with all the burdens of responsibility
which rest upon me in the great office which
was bestowed upon me by the people-it is
most agreeable to me to take myself from
my busy duties and receive the warm and
hearty welcome of the professors and stu
dents of this university. This nation is in
advance of every other nation of the world
in the matter of educational advantages
and opportunities. Any young man, no
matter what may be his condition, no mat
ter how narrow his surroundings and limit
ed his resources, may receive an educa ton
which will fit him for the cares and respon-
sibilities of life. No nation in the world is
in greater need of educated young men than
the American nation. They are the pillars
of strength to this republic, and We need
them, it seems to me, never more than at
this hour Gentlemen, l thank you.'
Remarks by Secretary Long.
Secretary Long then made a brief adj
dress. and said in part: Il should feel a lit
tie embarrassed in speaking to you, If it
We're not for my old friend, Father Conaty,
whom 1 have met many a time in Massa-
chusetts. In June days, as lovely as these.
1t was my privilege, when chief executive
of the old bay state to be at the COM
mencements of Cambridge, and then at
Boston College and Holy Cross College,
Worcester" He then alluded to the
mark of the rector with regard to the
aristocracy of education, and said it was in
marked contrast 10 the sham aristocracy
of wealth. and was the source of national
strength. The professors and students were
then presented to the President and Secre-
tary Long, the first to be preseafed being
Monsignor Mcmahon, the founder of Nc
Mahon Hall.
After the presentation the President and
party were escorted by Mgr Conaty and
Doctor Garrigan through the different
buildings, and were afterward entertained
for some little time at the Pines. the rec
tors house.