Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-11-16
RENoUNoED CATHOLICISM

following. Before giving it publication
its authenticity has been fully verified
by cable from Rome;
Rome, Oct. 80, 1904.
"Editor of the Associated Press:
"You have my full permission to print
the inclosed and give it as wide a publi-
cation as possible. Yours truly,
MARQUIsE DIES MONSTERS
"Dear Editor: 1t may interest some
of your readers to know that the Mar
ouise des Monstires Merinville, formerly
Miss NJ. q. Caldwell, who, it will be re-
,nembered, founded the Roman Catholic
University at Washington some years
age. has entirely repudiated her former
creed. In an interview with me the
other day she said:
yes. it is true that / have left the
Roman Catholic Church. Since l have
been living in Europe my eyes have
been opened to what that church really
is. and to its anything but sanctity.
But the trouble goes much further oacK
than this. Being naturally religious,
nv imagination was eagerly caught by
the idea of doing something to liit the
church from the lowly position which 1t
occupied in America; so thought OF
university, or higher school, where its
clergy could be educated and, Ii pos
sible. refined. Of course, in this | was
greatly influenced by Bishop Spaldng, OF
Peoria. who represented it to me as one
of the greatest works OF the day.
When was 21 1 turned over to them
one.tbird of nv fortune for thatpurpose.
But for years | have been trying to rid
myself of the subtle yet overwhelming
influence of church which pretends not
only to the privilege of being the only
true church, but OF being alone able to
open The gates of heaven to a sorrowful,
sinful world. At last my honest Protest-
ant blood has asserted itself and l now
forever repudiate and cast of the yoke
Of Rome. ," :.
$50 saving the Msrquise politely dis
missed me. :,
'It will be remembered that the Mar
ouise des Monsters Merinville and her
sister. the Baroness Won Zedwitz, are the
daughters of the late William 5. Cald-
we'll and his wife, who was Miss Breck-
inridge, of Kentucky. Shortly before
his death Mr. Caldwell became con-
vert to Roman Catholicism and left his
children to the care of Irish Roman
Catholics in New York, whom he met
in church circles. The younger sister
married some 10 years ago, German
nobleman. a Lutheran, and has since then
also left the Roman Catholic communion.
The elder has been in bad health for some
wears from having TO occupy a posi-
lion before the world as a prominent
Roman Catholic, which was not real
one. and into which her extreme gener-
.osity led her as a young and intexreri-
.enced girl. Now, at last, her own mind
has asserted itself and she returns to the
creed of her ancestors.
1t is believed among the lalty In
Washington that the remuneration of the
Catholic faith by the Marquise jes
Monsters MerinviIle may have been
influenced by the politics OF France
Neither Cardinal Gibbons nor any oi
the archbishops assembled in Washing
ton would make any statement last
night with reference to the case. 1t Is
mol believed that anything in connection
with the management of the universlt,
has Influenced the action of th'
Marouse. She is said to have been II
extremely poor health during recen
wears since making her home in France,
and this is thought by some to accoun
for her actions.
As Miss Caldwell she furnished tn
money that constituted the nucleus wit
which the university was established an'
the frat building erected for use Ivy tn
divinity school was named Cald"el
Hall, 10 honor of the donor.