The Topeka state journal., 1902-06-17
FIRST OF ITS KIND.
Grover Cleveland is Selected for
q Peculiar Honor.

Philadelphia, June 17.-For the first
time in the United States the honorary
degree OF doctor Of Jurisprudence was
conferred today at the Augustinian col
lege Of ST. Thomas Of Vulanova. The
recipient was former President Grover
Cleveland, who had already had the de-
gree of Ii. D. conferred by the Prince
ton university.
The ceremony of comforting the degree
upon Mr.. Cleveland was a part of the
commencement exercises of the college
and followed the dedication of a new
monastery college and chapel The
Austrian ambassador, Mr. Ladislaus
Hengelmueller, Baron Won HengerlVar,
received the honorary degree of doctor
of philosophy. Honorary degrees We're
also conferred as follows: Rev. William
j. Hill, LII. D., rector of st. PauPs
church, Brooklyn, and Judge Morgan J.
O'Brien. Ph. D.. doctor of laws former
Judge Joseph F. DAILY of New York ana
Judge 4. +. Fitzgerald Of New York.
The exercises were held in the college,
Archbishop Ryan presiding. Previous
to cOnferring the diplomas, Mr.. Cleve-
land expressed his appreciation of the
honor conferred upon him and continu-
ing said:
''This incident prominently suggests to
my mind the imperiouS edict of educa-
ton, which f0rbidS the hindrance or dis
turbance of its high mission by religious
discrimination, social intolerance or any
OF the barriers that to q grea ter or less
extent separate civilized humanity. The
republic of education is based upon
identical aim, equal rights in its oppor-
tunity and impartiality in the distribu-
ton of its rewards and honors.
This 1t seems to me. is impressivelv
illustrated when the severely Catholic
college Of St. Thomas OF ViITanova.
bestows its highest honorary degree
upon one connected with the manage
ment and holding an honorary degree in
the severely Protestant Princeton uni
Vers1ty. The processes of education as
rf-f5
or always should have, in addition to
other characteristics, especial harmony
of purpose and design as they are rela-
ted to our government and this should
constitute between our Institutions of
learning a bond of close fraternity
Whatever other objects and purposes
may be involved in educa tional efforts
among us: one of its constant and
prominent aims should be the cultiva-
t1on and maintenance of high a stand
ard Of American citizenship. When we
recall the fact that the benefcence of
our scheme Of government depends upon
the virtue of education of the units of
cur citizenship. it is at once apparent
that an important and common duty
rests upon every agency that under
takes the instruction of the youth OF
our land.
'.It will be a sad day for our nation when
the forces of education and the teachers of
moral living shall cease to strive in unity
70 IeaVen the entire mass Of our citizenship
or when their influence in that direction
snail be divided and circunScribed by re-
llgIous and sectarian differences"
The former president then addressed the
graduates, pointing out some of the duties
and responsibilities they were entering
upon and concluded as follows:
You may be sure that you may fail to
meet these obligations if you are not con-
/ stantly and solemnly impressed with the
conviction that your educational advant-
/ ages are only valuable as they better fit
/ you to do your duty to your God, to your
/ country and TO your fellow. men.
Mr.. and Mrs Cleveland and the other
distinguished guests took luncheon at the
| college after the ceremonies.