Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-04-13
THE CHECK
PRESENTED
Catholic University
Gets $4,000.
Large Gathering of Knights
of Columbus From All
Sections of the United
States : Supreme knight
Hearns Makes Speech.

Washington, April 13.-With i'm
pressive ceremonies the fifty thousand
dollar check which was donated by
the knights of Columbus throughout
the country for chair of secular his
tory in the Catholic. university, was
presented to-day. The following is
the presentation speech OF Supreme
Grand Knight Hearn:
Mr. Hearn said: YsThis occasion is
memorable indeed, not because of the
particular transaction about to be COM
pleted, but rather because Of the great
potentiality of the act for future good.
and because of the mistaken faith we
nave IN the realization of all the ex-
pected benefits therefrom. This has
been long looked forward to with
pleasurable anticipation by more than
100000 devoted sons of holy church,
more than 100000 advocates of JUS
tlce, right and truth, and we sincerely
believe it will be regarded with senti-
ments OF Justihable pride by all Cath
olics for all time. We are here to pre-
sent to the Catholic University of
America, in the name of the knights
of Columbus, the sum of $4,000 with
which to establish in the university a
chair of American history. The rea-
sons why such an institution should
exist are direct, imperious and yalu,
and they are, believe well set forth
in the trenchant words of his lordship,
the right reverend bisnop of Sioux
City, Bishop Garrigan in his first adj
dress to the knights of Columbus in
March, 1899. His 1ordship said: we
ask you to join hands with us in cor
recting the many errors which have
been spread abroad for the last hun,
dred years, here and elsewhere, about
our church, about our faith and about
our people; to clear away the clouds
that have been hanging over us for
the last century, and bring the truth to
the light of day, SO that all men may
place us where we belong
1T is our contention that the up
lifting influence of the Catholic church
upon the moral and political progress
OF this country has not been accurately
or completely set forth, for the reason
that our historians have been prejT-
diced or have not completed their la
bors, and we sincerely believe and
trust that the endowment Of this chair
Of American history will be instru-
mental in giving to the world COM
plete and impartial history; that it will
be instrumental in appearing class
Of historians who will face facts open
eyed, and who, if they speak at all
concerning these facts, will speak just
ly, considerably and sincerely.
I'VE believe this presentation of fSaU,-
600 to the Catholic university of Amer
lea for the endowment of chair of
American history is but the beginning
of the great struggle for truth; that
we, the knights of Columbus, faithful
to church and state, representing the
highest and best Catholic element of
the land feel highly complimented and
deeply obligated to the reverend trrls-
tees of the Catholic university for the
privilege of taking the initiative 81 SO
worthy a cause. But we are like one
in the darkness seeking for light, who
uncertain how best to find it. calls
upon others more capable than himself
for assistance. We are seeking lie
truth about our country's history,
about the connection of the Catholic
church Herewith, about the great In
fiuence of the Catholic ehurch in tue
making therof, and, not certain how
best to attain to that end, we call upon
your eminence and you. the most rev
erend trustees Of the Catholic univer-
sity"