Evening star., 1901-04-15

ton is regarded as a very attractive educa-
tional center When the fathers of the
Catholic Church of America had come to
the conclusion that it was time to estab-
lish such a university for general educa-
tion in this country for their children they
looked about. and after q careful survey
of the whole field they concluded that
Washington was the most attractive field
for the reasons referred to here tonight
and for an additional reaSon-that is to
show to the world that the Catholic Church
had nothing to fear, had nothing to con-
ceal, had no secret purpose In entering
the fields of the higher education that have
belonged to her from the earliest days OF
Christianity and belong to her now. She
came to this national capital to show a
love and fealty to this government as great
as that of any institution that exists on
the face of the earth today; to throw
back" he continued, earnestly, 'the taunts
that she was not loyal, that she was not
American and to show to the great Ameri-
can people that she is here with all her
strength and all her force, energy, expert
ence and learning-here as one of the
props of this great republic-to show the
great American people that she was not
an enemy, that she is a friend of liberty,
Of the most accomplished learning, ready to
support this great government and the veal
and common welfare of the American
people. This was one of the things that
induced her to locate here, and think
you will bear me out, and l do not wish
sity is the most American of the institu-
tions located In the District of Columbia
today. 1 think 1 may say without eXcep-
tion that she is the only institution that
knows no creed and that every man with
brains is welcomed to her halls to drink
OF her learning
The speaker again declared that the Cath
olic University was more American than
any other in the District of Columbia. She
gives, he said, no honorary degrees. Her
degrees must be earned, and they are equal
to those Of the highest and best universe
ties In the world. The university. he said,
is not merely theological school, but any
knowledge. to be useful to mankind, must
begin with a fundamental knowledge Of
Coda knowledge of the relations between
God and man. There was also a school of
philosophy and of law and. school of
technology had been added, and they were
all working harmoniously together. He said
the university is on a sound financial basis.
Under the guidance of Bishop keane, who
organized the university, and the care of
Cardinal Gibbons and Archbishop Ireland,
1t was sure to extend it's usefulness and to
be blessing to this city and to the country
at large. He spoke Of the influence of the
university in making great men who bene-
fit mankind. Such men are useful in solv-
was worth more to England than all her
possessions.
DR.. GaIIaudet's Theme.
DR.. E. NJ Gallaudet, president of the Gal
laudet College for the Deaf and Dumb,
gave a review Of events which had led to
the establishment Of the institution over
which he presides. Something over forty
years ago, he said, youth of nineteen just
out of college began teaching in a school
for deaf mutes in Hartford, Conn., A
friendship grew up between him and one
Of his colleagues who was twice his age,
and the two often spoke Of the Importance
of establishing a college for deaf mutes in
the United States, and they promised each
other, If some one could be found to endow
such a college. they would give their lives
to it's establishment. The speaker did not
say who the young man was, but 1t is
generally known that that young man was
Dr. Gallaudet himself.
Shortly after the time to which he had
referred he had been invited by Amos Ken
dali to organize college for deaf mutes
and, he was given the opportunity of which
he had been dreaming. He came here, and
1t was decided to begin work by opening a
school for deaf mutes. with the idea that
as soon as an advanced department should
years five pupils were prepared for higher
work. Although the higher work might
have been begun without more authority
than the school had, 1t was thought best
to secure authority from Congress. and
power was granted the college to grant
all degrees granted by any other college
Before the bill giving the college this au-
thority several senators criticised as absurd
the idea that deaf mute should be given
college degrees The act was signed by
President Lincoln thirty-eight years ago
For the construction of college building
Congress gave $4,000. Amos Kendall had