Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-19
GOhzAGA ALUMNI
Seventh Annual Reunion Held
Last Night
IN COLLEGE HALL
ATTENDANCE LARGER THAN
EVER IN ITS HISTORY.
Toasts Responded to by Mgr. Rocker,
Justice Gould, Fathers Quill and
Fink and Commissioner West.

The largest and most successful reunion
the Alumni Association Of Gonzaga College
has ever held during the history of the or
ganization was that OF last evening. when
with music, speeches and good things TO
eat the seventh annual banquet was cele-
brated in Gonzaga Hall. The decorations
were the college colors. purple and white.
American flags being used as wall decora-
lions. An orchestra under Prof Samuels
rendered an elaborate musical program.
Mr.. Leon Tobriner acted as toastmaster,
and introduced first District Commissioner
Henry L. West. who responded to the toast
1.-The District Of Columbia and Its Growth"
Mr., West was enthusiastically greeted and
spoke in interesting vein on many Of the
points of the Districts history.
The next speaker was Mgr. Rocker. the
secretary Of the papal legation, who re-
sponded to the toast. 1.-The Holy Father"
ITO speak tonight" said Mgr. Rocker, "of
the closing of the twenty-fifth year of the
greatest pontificate that ever ruled the
church. and to speak of the man who has
so ably ruled it. would be theme so vast
that would not dare to undertake 1T.
"a quarter of century ago he had
reached the allotted age Of an ordinary
mans life, three score and ten almost.
sixty-eight years. At that time Of life the
majority Of men have done all they could
or expect to do. AT that age Leo XIII was
called upon to occupy the greatest post that
can be occupied by man. Everywhere
men predicted that he was to be transit
tional pope. and was to bridge over a tran
sition Of the church. If he was a bridge he
has been long one, now a quarter OF
century.
Leo XIII found the church stripped Of
earthly glory. The governments and ma
lions that had bowed down before the yati-
can had turned their backs and left 1t. The
Door old man has gone on welding only
1T o,,fh will
strength, but only the wonderful character
istics which the representative of God can
claim; and today every ambassador and
minister who twenty-five years ago LETT
Rome has come back to the papacy. This
is but the beginning of such theme
"A quarter of a century ago. when Leo
XIII succeeded Plus TX, the spirit of the
people was such that the body OF Plus
was attacked on the way to It's burial place.
Who today is such an idol Of the people OF
the world as Leo XIII? Go to Rome and
see him at some public function"
His First Public Appearance.
DR.. Rocker told Of the first appearance Of
the pope among the public masses In 1888.
This was the first time in twenty years the
pope had entered st. Peters Church at
Rome and blessed the populace. He told
how the crowds thronged to see him, and
lost all interest in viewing the magnificent
and brilliant pageant, so anxious were they
watching the scarlet curtain from which
the pope was to come. He graphically re-
cited how when he came. borne aloft on a
scarlet canopy upon the shoulders Of men,
every one wondered whether the still figure
felt the Apr ehension Of the moment as the
crowd did. Leo's eyes were raised in bless
Ing and his hand held aloft in a gesture of
benedlction: his eye was bright. and an al
most celestial smile was on his pale, ema-
ciated face.
EVERY one there" said Dr. Rocker, ."felt
that as the pope passed up the aisle he had
looked into every eye with great express
sion Of love and tenderness. Seventy thou
sand persons roared and tears streamed
from every eye They loved him. 1t is the
same today. Without shadow of power
or armed strength or force a1e has guided
their destinies for twenty-five years. Nc
man can receive such unselfsh, sincere
tribute as that poor old man, nearly ninety
three years Of age"
The pope will complete his twenty fifth
year of the papacy day after tomorrow.
Judge Ashley M. Gould responded to the
toast. 1.-THE President" Rev. Patrick Quill
responded to the toast. 1.-The Alumni" and
Father Fink, president of Gonzaga, spoke
of Our College"
Those Who Were Present.