Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1906-02-26
Madison, Feb. %.

Madison, Feb. %.
Appropriate exercises were held
Yesterday at the university in honor
of the Inauguration of February p as
university day. The gathering was
the first of it's kind that has ever been
held at the University of Wisconsin,
and the program was carried out in
such a manner that it is the intention
of the university authorities to re
peat the exercises each year. Arch
bishop Sebastian G. Messmen OF the
Milwaukee diocese was the principal
speaker of the day. In the afternoon
a reception was given to the Milwau-
kee prelate by the Catholic students
of the university at library hall, and
was largely attended. The faculty
dinner which is to become a perma-
nent feature of the university day eel
ebratiOn, was held in the evening at
Keeley's hall. It is rarely that the
faculty comes together ON any but
official business, and it afforded the
younger members opportunity to be-
come acquainted with the older, and
those who had been in the faculty for
years to renew their old acquaint-
ances.
Many Hear Archbishop.
Three thousand students listened
to the scholarly address by Archbish-
OPP Messmer in the university armOry.
President Van Hise presided. The
platform was appropriately set with
three large American flags, with a
row of palms at the front. Many OF
Madison representative Catholics,
as we'll as people of all denominations,
were in the audience. On the plat
form with the university executives
were Rev. F. I. Galpin, Rev. J. NJ.
NaughtOn, Rev. E. G. Updike, Dean
H. S. Richards, Rev. F. A. Gilmore,
Dean E. A. Birge, Rev. P. B. Knox,
Dean F. E. Turneaure, and Professor
f. A. Parker. The faculty to the
number of more than 100 had seats
near the front. The university or
chestra furnished several selections
for the musical program,
introduced BY Van Hise.
President Van Hise introduced the
speaker with the following remarks:
This is the first formal celebra>
ton of university day. 1t is particu-
larly appropriate that the university,
Of hn CT n
should select for this event the birth
day of George Washington, who is
universally recognized by all people
as the prototype of those who have
given their lives to the service of the
nation. We wish to associate our love
for the university with our feeling Of
patriotism and with our reverence
for the name of Washington. The
great functions of a university are the
advancement and dissemination Of
knowledge. Both are happily coVe'-
ed by the phrase, The Pursuit Of
Truth which is the title of the first
university day address. This address
is to be given by Archbishop Mess
mer. whom I now have the honor to
Introduce to you
Universities Lead the World.
In the history of our civilized ma
tons, particularly Christian nations,
one fact stands prominently before us
that universities have been the
most potent factors of civilization, -
said Archbishop Gebhart Messmer.
The reason why universities have oc-
cupied this preeminent place in the
progress of the world is evident, 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 a great university we meet
life and animation to all, the desire
and research for knowledge that is
truth. It is indeed an inspiring sight
that of thousands and thousands OF
young minds gathered together in our
universities eager for the pursuit OF
truth. 1t Is indeed most ATTRACTIVE
sight to see these thousands of young
men and women of the University OF
Wisconsin. their minds bright AMI
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 in
situations, private and public, spread
all over the country
AS we study the work achieved by
the institutions of higher learning al
over the world we are struck with the
universal fact that wherever civiliza
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