Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-10-07
HONOR MERCER
Harvard Degree Given
Belgium Prelate
President Lowell Pays Tribute -
Cardinal Before Distinguishes As.
senniage-Aaed churchman Again
Thanks American People

Boston. Oct. 6-CardinaI MERCER
was given the honorary degree Of
Doctor of Laws today by Harvard
I University, which twenty four hours
earlier had conferred a similar hon.
or upon King Albert The cardinal
was accompanied 70 Sanders The
atre by President Lowell. Cardinal
O'Cnnnell and other distinguished
guests. and ms appearance was the
signal for an ovation that continued
severa! minutes. Upon the conciu-
sion ofThe ceremony there was an
other demonstration. even more en-
,auslastlc than the first.
In comforting the degree President
Lowell termed the cardinal "a man.
VINO. n the desolatIon of ms coun-
Try, stood as me shadow of a great
rock n "A weary land" The cardinal
n his address of acceptance al the
suggestion Of President Lowell spoke
n French. He said n part.
Thousands Of your comrades left
for the war. FOR The horrors of blood
shed. Many Of your elders helped
with the commission for Belgian re-
lief. ! had The honor of receiving,
myself several of The heroic people
who were giving their service 70
Belgium without remuneration.
thank YOU and congratulate you.
Never : believe. have young men
mad such executive lessons as those
which YOU have had frurn the drama
through which we have passed. Not
only have individuals spent them
selves for other individuals, but
whole nations touk up arms, not TOR
territorial interests or political AIMS.
but because Germany helc up 20 So
cle1y a flag srnIrcned by the blood Of
hundreds Of innocent people. nag
which had been burned by asphyx-
.atlng gases. a flag solled by The ash
rs Of devastated towns, and had
presented ms black flag as the ban
ner Of civilization.
We opposed TO systematic mus
nee our moral respect for r1gn1 ana
liberty
The peace which was signed Is
not definItive. There is another ideal
70 Da attained. and ve are now on q
volcano You viii have 10 coilaoo-
rate for I dednltive peace anu lie
soldiers lighting for right and honor
When our University Of LouTalne
became the prey of the flames the
Institute de France formed q commit
lee Tor the reconstruction Of ou-
ruins.
Your President was good enough 70
IN, Frr "a.
storing our university The collabora-
tion gave me- personally great moral
relief for which : am profoundly
grateful
The cardinal said he was in the
vatican FOR the installation Of Pope
Benedicf hen ne was informed that
the university. the library. and the
seminary had been destroyed. His
friend Cardinal Ticon said 10 him;
We will reconstruct.
From that moment on. Cardlnal
Mercier continued. y said. let Us 90
forward. I directed all my energies
toward the future. and tried to forget
the sorrows Of the present hour.
A university teaches not only nv
example and precept. Il is not solely
a scientific INSTITUTION. Besides IN
tel-na! development. young men are
taught the use Of their responsibility
II guide them through life. loin n
asking vou 70 work for the formation
If voIlr nor;-I personality to serve the
social order
After the ceremony the cardinal
visited tie Widener Memorial Lib
rarv, where ne looked with great in
rerest a. four qolvrlot bibles. Later
ne was the guest Of President Lowell
~ -aa Ee left for New York.