The Irish standard., 1905-06-03

appfeclatlOn Tor THIS great lOnOr, or
10 justice to the sentiment which my
heart bids me speak.
The value of this compliment, TO
| whomsoever granted, can best be un.
| ierstoOd by Il knowledge of the Signif-
| lcance of the Laetare Medal and the
| intent of its promoters. Reference
to its character in this respect has
been ably presented in the remarks
of Right Reverend Monsignor Byrne,
and the Reverend President of the
| University A brief outline of it's
original purpose is also printed in the
| Souvenir. | need not. therefore, re-
peat its meaning.
The University of Notre Dame in
its magnificent spirit of liberality and
democracy, is not content to award
its degrees to scholar, teacher, and
scientist, and it's Laetare Medal to
eminent men in the arts and profess
sions. 1t looks out over the broad
field of human endeavor and recogniz.
es OH every side, vast armies of work.
ers in industrial and commercial pur-
suits. 1t sees smoke issuing from the
tall chimneys of ten thousand work
shops, and listens to'the hum of busy
looms and countless spindels giving
employment to millions of men and
women. 1t measures the capacity of
immense Storehouses in our cities,
and observes that these are the repos-
itories and trading marts for the pro-
ducts OF land and sea, for mine and
mandatory.
The great agencies upon which we
must depend to preserve our men
from decay, and our government from
becoming demoralized, are the
Church, the School, the College, and
the University These are the lumi-
naries through which the gospel of
christianity is diffused and CIVILIZATION
promoted.
Ii it is true that cOmmercialism is
the most pronounced characteristic of
our day and generation, it is incum-
bent on the part of Church and School
and University, through their health
full teaching and beneficient influence
to guide, restrain, and dignity it,
That this is the part taken by the
Catholic Church and Catholic college,
no one conversant with their mission
and teaching will deny. We have
been taught by our catechism that
among other marks of divine author
ity, the Church is universal. 1t adapts
itself to all ages and climes and con-
ditions of men.
The ministralions of it's clergy and
schools and universities are applied
with equal zeal and devotion to the
interests of laborer. mechanic, bust
ness man, and those in professional
life.
EXemplifying this principle, the Uni
versty of Notre Dame magnanimously
extends its courtesy and encourage
ment, not to me as | said before, but
i'll grander and broader sense, to
the business calling that | so imper-
fectly represent.
! am pleased, Reverend President,
to accept it in this spirit and thus
understanding its representative char
actor, again respectfully repeat, not
only my own obligations to you and
the Faculty, but feel warranted in be-
speaking the cordial thanks and last
ing appreciation OF business men
throughout the country for your gen.
crous compliment to commercial pur-
suit
May the great institution of learn
ing over which you preside, long con-
tinue its ministrations for the good
OF religion, home and society, and
may the name of the University Of
Notre Dame become more and more
Il household word in its sublime mis-
sion of serving the glory of God, the
purity and enlightenment of the in1i-
vidual, constant inspiration to pat
rioic American citizenship, and a
tower of strength to the state and the
Nation.
From the address of DR.. P. ]. Tim
Iins. cn behalf of the laity, we re-
produce the following:
The ceremony which we have just
Witnessed is worthy of our best
thought and meditation. 1t shows
the act of Il great university, estab-
lished for the education of young men
on Christian lines to the end that they
may become citizens of the best type,
gCing still further in its beneficence
and reaching out into the ranks Of
manhood. to indicate ny the stamp of
Us approval the quality of citizenship
that should form the truly Christian
nation
The University of Notre Dame says
in effect to its hundreds of students
and to the outside world: The prime
object of our endeavor is to turn out
tor the glory of God and the welfare
of society men with the qualities of
heart, mind and soul like unto those
we are pleased to honor with our cap
ital prize, the Laetare Medal"