Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-09-19
1000 SCOUTS GREET !
MERCER TONIGHT
Cardinal Spending Quiet Day in
New York as Guest Of Arch
bishop Hayes
WILL VISIT BELGIAN BUREAU

New York, Sept. 10.-Cardinal Mer-
,cier, primate of Belgium, who returned
from Albany last night, is spending
quiet day at the residence Of Arch
bishop Patrick j. Hayes. Tonight the
cardinal will visit the Belgian bureau
and later attend q citizens reception in
conjunction with the Right Rev. ]. G.
Stillman, OF st. Albert's Belgian
Church. One thousand Boy Scouts and
a boys band will act as a guard of
honor at the Belgian bureau.
5 Albany, Sept. ia large crowd
was at the railroad station to bid n
cheering farewell to Cardinal Mercier
when he left for New Yorn early last
night. Just before the train started
the cardinal beckoned to q woman who
was standing on the outskirts OF the
throng, waving an American and a
Belgian flag. Pushing her way forward
the woman reached the car, and the
cardinal took the American flag from
her outstrctched hanu and waved it
until the train was out of sight.
The primate Of Belgium arrived in
Albany about noon yesterday. Accom-
panied by military escort and an en-
thusiastic committee Of welcome, he
was driven through crowd lined and
flag -draped streets.
Governor Smiths welcoming com
mittee, composed of more than 200 state
and municipal officials, escorted by n
battalion Of state guard troops received
the distinguished prelate at the train.
Enthusiastic crowds lined the streets
for the short parade to the Capitol.
Conducted Through Capitol
After the extension and reception of
informal greetings Cardinal Mcrcier was
conducted by the governor on tour of
inspection of New York's S25 900, 900
Capitol. Later he received the formal
welcome of the state, extended by Gov
ernor Smith, at reception in chan.
cellor's hall in the state education build.
ing.
As n climax to his formal welcome
the degree of doctor of laws was con-
ferred on Cardinal Mercier by the Uni
yersity of the State Of New York.
The cardinal, whose ecclesiastical
robe furnished the focal point of bright
color against the background of aca-
demic gowns of the regents and their
multi colored doctors hoods, his face
beaming, bowed his head while the
black, purple and yellow hood of doc.
tor of laws was hung about his neck
and as he received the engrosscd parch-
ment from President Finley.
How could I find way capable of
voicing the feelings that so deeply
move me?' Cardinal Mercier said in
acknowledging the honor paid to him by
the university. "If ! did something in
my country for my people-and, as you
are kind enough to say. for Other neorics
4 too-it was not by personal capabilities
and not by mind or will, but because
from the first moment of the war / be-
lieved in the justice and mercy of God.
Thought God Wouldn't Tolerate
when I saw the German columns
devastating my land and shed the blood
OF poor innocent civilians, / thought 1t
impossible that God should tolerate
such a scandal.
=" First of all seek the kingdom of
God and justice. Remembering these
. WOIuS' was lhlptlltu hoI " COholNNl
the consequences of my actions. We
had but one thing to do--our duty, the
duty of saving liberty and saving JUS
tice. My only motive, which was al
ways living in my heart, was right
above might
KS II never for a moment feared the
enemy. They tried by threatening me,
by bribery, by perhdious insinuation, to
have me remain silent before my flock.
/ said to them: Never mind; / shall
speak because I have something to
say" H.....