Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-04-16
Cardinal Gibbons

Ssk Cardinal Gibbons in the course of
nts sermon at the pontifcal mass said:
& For the growth of the University
re are Indebted above all to the God
Wisdom for whose glory the work
begun. To the great Pontiffs Leo
Ill and Plus y and to their successor
SPope Benedict XIV we make public ac-
of our gratitude. To
the Catholics Of the United State, we
xreturn our thanks for their generous
support. The experience of these
twenty-five years emphasizes the
needs which the University aims to
supply: the need of divine truth -
complete our human knowledge. of di-
wine justice as the highest sanctin Of
law. of the spirit Of Christ in our
ministrations of mercy and love.
There is no real liberty without law,
and there is no meaning or validity to
4 law unless il be observed.
THE growth of democracy does not
imply that each man shall become a
law unto himself. but that he shall
feel in himself the obligation TO obey.
II the enacting power has been trans
ferred from the will of the ruler to the
-
mower has been laid with greater
Estress of responsibility than ever be-
fore upon the individual conscience.
SNnless men be taught that obedience
Fright and honorable and necessary
Nike for private interest and public
Ifeal, legislation will avail but little
DIE law making power will become a
mockery and the people themselves
will complain that legislation has
been carried to excess.
"But conscience has need of a high
er sanction than any merely human
0ense of justice. To meet the re-
unirments of our religious, social and
ssDolitical situation is a duty that we
ssOwe to the Church and TO our coun
sxry. To fulfil il we must combine
Ur efforts, and 1 rejoice that in the
NCatholic University center of
Thought and action has been pro-
kided."
a Cardinal O'Connelrs address at the
academic exercises on The Office and
RESPONSIBILITIES of the University in
merican Life" was in part as fol-
cws:
I'VE stand today al the beginning OF
new era in the history of higher
Atholic education in America. We
&Ajoice in the goodly heritage of these
years; but we also look
nth much solemn thought to the flu
spre. The University is. first of all.
ri home of culture. 1t trains men Of
Earning, of noble ideals and high
Ifandards: and through them it de-
sprmines the culture of the nation. But
Ak also trains the leaders, explaining
me functions of the state, the rights
md duties Of citizenship: the vital
rohsems of society, its ills and their
he growth of every university is
beasured by the closeness of its con-
bet with the body polite and by the
nccess with which it meets the ma
hons needs. 1t must be conservative,
evering and transmitting the heritage
the past; but it must also be pro-
eessive. dealing prudently with new
beds and problems. We Catholics
Re deeply interested in university
Ducation because. as loyal American
tizens. we have at heart whatever is
vital concern to the church and the
Rtion
The existene of this Catholic Uni
ersity is an evidence quite as much
our interest in our country as Of
Rr interest in our church Both
Atholic and American, the University
iii gain force through its service to
le country, while its Catholicity will
eep 1t in constant and unerring touch
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