The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-06-05
The Closing Exercises of
Catholic University of
America Yesterday.
DIPLOMAS TO THEOLOGlANS
Distinguished Prelate Refutes Rumors
About the Institution-LargeG Gather
ing OF Eminent CIergymen at the
Commencement-Th Graduates.

tereSt1ng commencement exercises yes
terday morning, when the members Of
the graduating class of 1902 of that in
stitution received their diplomas.
Many persons of prominence We're
present, together with noted clergymen
OF the Roman Catholic faith. The hall
was thronged with the friends and rela-
lives of the graduates. and the young
men received a hearty ovation from the
numerous members of the fair sex. Above
the stage and, in fact, all around the
hall the Stars and Stripes were inter
mingled with the colors Of the college
white and gold.
Among the persons seated upon the
stage were his Eminence James Cardi
nal Gibbons, chancellor OF the univers-
ity; the Mexican Ambassador, Represen-
tativc Thaycr OF Massachusetts,, Rev.
DR.. Lucas. of Bloomsbury Pa: the presi
dent OF Gallaudet College, Rev. J. F. X.
Mulvany; Rev. John Conway, vice presi-
dsnt of Georgetown University; Rev
r. X Fink, president of Gonzaga Col
lege; Brother Abdas, president of St.
Johns College; Rev. J. F. Mackin. of
st. Pauls Church; Rev. Hannah, of ST.
Martins Church: Bishop Blenk, of Porto
Rico; Rev. Caughy. of st. stephens;
Rev. Schandelle, of Georgetown Univers-
ity; Rev. John Quill, also of Georgetown;
Rev. Walter G. Elliott of New York and
General Vincent.
The Degrees Conferred.
Cardinal Gibbons conferred the de-
grees upon the members of all four
classes. He then delivered a brief ad-
dress in which he said
From time to time during the year
false statements have been circulated
through the press concerning the
finances of the university. l have been
panied beyond expression, and so have
the trustees, that there should be found
anyone SO ill-informed as to give ut
terance to statements so absolutely
baseless. AS the chancellor, and speak
ing for the trustees. l wish to give our
people to understand that there is no
truth whatever in these rumors. The
Frances OF the university are in good
condition. and there is no danger of
financial straits.
The trustees, who are careful. pru-
cent men, annually examine into all
the details, and they are fully satisfied
that the university is doing it's duty
faithfully and successfully, and that its
finances are in excellent condition 1t
is young institution and has made
wonderful strides. Why should 1t not
be encouraged instead of illuminated?
Let there be no fear as to its future.
'ho n. Tot 1ay- "a,
tensity- / saw him a year ago, and l
know how deeply interested he is in its
success. He has signally honored its
rector by giving him the dignity of the
episcopate as a distinguished mark of
his esteem for his services in the Office
of rector. He has recently called the
vice rector to the responsibility of
Bishop in Sioux City, and thus crowned
the labors of fourteen years of service |
Great Honor Bestowed.
1T is great honor that in the space
OF year two such signal favors should !
come to those charged with the admin !
istration of the university, and we all /
rejoice in this merited recognition OF |
our university. Our Catholic people 1
should be more intensely interested in |
the important work of upbuilding and |
developing the university. II is young
yet, and cannot be expected to do all |
that older institutions with more ex-
perience and unlimited means can do. II |
has done nobly during its fourteen years
of life. All IL needs is more generous
cooperation, a more extended inter-
est, a greater willingness TO help by
word and deed. AS the rector has said.
II ought to be easy to raise another
million dollars, II the people would re-
aliZe their duty to this the greatest in
stitution OF learning which the Church
possesses in this country"
In closing, Rev. DR.. Conaty delivered
q discourse on Culture and Aim of the
University" He pointed out the rela-
tion of culture to specialization, and ad-
vocated most strongly study in all
branches of knowledge. He said in part:
Dr. Conaty's Address.
1.-The university is for something high
er than mere specializing. 1t should re-
suit in cultivated men. with sympathy
for all forms of knowledge. Specialize
ton has many advantages. 1t has in
vestigated all branches of science. ac-
quired more accurate knowledge OF
nature, subdlvided and multiplied the
sciences, thus increasing knowledge and
benefiting the world.
industrial. commercial and financial
development is the result of a patient
self-saerifcing investigator, who has not
been satisfied until he has reached facts
By which nations as well as individuals
have been benefited.
THE disadvantages Of specialization
are seen in the tendency to narrowness
to the lack of sympathy for other sci
ences. 1t results from the overlooking
OF relations in which each truth stands
10 the whole. Science is not confined 10
mere physical research, but belongs
also to the world Of speculation and the
things OF the mind. 4 spirit of deyo-
tion TO culture will save specialization
from the disadvantages liable TO follow
it.
True culture worship. the true love
OF the good as Matthew Arnold has de-
fined it, II is the study of perfection, IL
IS demanded as a social function, by 2
which man and his best thoughts are
brought into contact with his fellow 7
men 1t broadens mans viewpoint. 1t
gives him growth in truth. Culture
makes the gentleman and the scholar ;