The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1906-03-01
LEAD
Archbishop Messmer Addresses
the Students at Madison
University To-day

"In the history of. civilized nations,
particularly Christian nations, one
| fact stands prominently before us
that universities have been the most
potent factors of civilization" said
Archbishop Sebastian Gebhart Mess
mer, of the diocese of Milwaukee, in
addressing 5000 students of the Uni
versity of Wisconsin at the University
Day exercises today.
"The reason why universities have
occupied this pre- eminent place In the
progress of the world is evident"
continued Archbishop Messmer. ''For
in them are gathered the children of
the land, intelligent boys and girls,
young men and women, all devoting
their best efforts to the pursuit of
truth. Truth is taught in every hall.
AS we go from one department to an
other of great university we meet
everywhere the same spirit giving
life and animation to all, the desire
and research for knowledge, that is,
truth. 1t is indeed an inspiring sight,
that of thousands and thousands of
young minds gathered together in our
universities eager for the pursuit of
truth. It is indeed a most attrac tive
sight to see these thousands of young
men and women of the University of
Wisconsin, their minds bright and
alert, and all swayed and moved by
the same common impulse, the pur-
suit of truth. The sight grows in
meaning and intensity as the view
opens out on the sister states OF our
great American republic, and as we
behold not only their universities,
but also the other higher educational
institutions, private and public,
spread all over the country.
Gas we study the work achieved by
the institutions of higher learning ali
over the world, we are struck with
the universal fact that wherever civ
| ilization is found it is due to general
| longing and searching for knowledge.
In other words, a close study of his
tory teaches that the very source of
all civi1izing force and influence is in
the pursuit of truth, and that the
growth and development of civi1iza-
ton stands in direct proportion to the
fuller and more hig hly developed pos
session of truth"
In considering the various depart
ments of learning and the purpose
that should animate the student of
the professional schools, as well as
those in purely academic work, Arch
bishop Messmer discussed the profes-
sion of the law. Unfortunately
there are people who seem to believe
in the we1l-known ALTERATION of law
yer and liar" he said. s'But it is a
ca1umny on most honorable profess
sion. Unfortunately there are people
ignorant enough to thin that the
study of law is simply to furnish the
student with knowledge of all possible
legal tricks to catch the unwary, to
save the criminal, tc twist the law
into snare or to escape from its sane
ton. This also is SANDER To my
mind the study of law is the pursuit
of truth upon one of the nob'est fields
of intellectual investigation and &C
tivity; for it implies the knowledge of
the true relations between the differ
ent members of the commonwealth as
determined by law, the true nature
and bearing of the public actions of
man as viewed by the law. In the
pursuit of truth in the defence of the
innocent and iI the prosecution of the
criminal, In the suit for damages and
in the award Of just wages, IN the
maintainance of lawful possession, as
well as in the condemnation Of prop
erty. When we see over the Judges
bench the picture of Justice, her eyes
blindfolded and the evenly balanced
scales in her hand, we know that the
meaning is not of a blind judgment,
irres pective of law: but that in rem
der lng judgment she must not look to
the persons surrounding her court,
but must read within her own mind
the verdict of truth. The pursuit OF
law, unless it is guided by the pursuit
of truth, becomes the pursuit OF
crime.