New-York tribune., 1919-09-19
Governor Smith Creets Pri-
mate of Belgium at Al.
hany and Praises His
Defiance of the Germans
Given Honorary Degree
New York University Gives
Its Highest Honor to Man
Who Was Heroic War Fig.
IIre

ALBANY, Sept. 1S.-Cardi0al Mer.
cier' primate of Belgium, on his ar
rival here to-day was given military
escort and driven through crowd lined
and tag-draped streets to the Capitol
where he was formally welcomed 70
New York State by Governor Smith.
| ne coicr sergeant OF the militar,.
unit that acted as escort 20 the heroic
prelGte W Alfred L. Smit.i r.. son oi
the Gotetn"r.
After the lniovma! greetings at The
capitol, Cardinal Mercier was conduct
tion of New York S S25, 100000 Capito,
Later he received the formal vel
come OF the state, extended by Gov
ernor Smith. at q formal reception in
Chsnccllors Hall in the State Educa-
tion Building.
Given Honorary Degree
* climax TO his wcjcon,e No0-
orE University conferred upon Car
dual Me-cier the degree of doctor Of
.!-v.s.
lac distinction of receiving this de
gree from TIE University OF The State
oS New York hitherto had been con-
erred upon only three persons -Elihu
Root. Thomas 4. Edison and Jules
Jusserand. French Ambassador 20 the
United States
All the world loves hero" said
chancellor Chester S. Lord OF the uni
Nersity IN presenting his clninence as
c&nd date Tor an honorary degree.
All the world loves courageous leader
ship. leadership that uDflinchingly faces
death, tina, has the courage to do right
regardless OF consequences; and such
leadership has magnificent Influence.
And when we find these supreme quail
Hes combined with supreme scholar
Snip. with vast literary attainment, with
educational emlnence, then, indeed, do
We .'nd man approximaJing the per
lection OF supreme achievement
1t is with genuine appreciation Of
his superb qualities that we present
him--student, scholar, man Of science,
man Of courage. man of supreme in
Hucnca. hero, patriot. man beloved by
ali his people because he was indeed
TIE savior Of his country"
President Finley in conferring the
degree said it was the highest token
which the university had power 10
bestow.
"To-day." ne said, "we grant this
degree 10 your emsnence as doctor
q those laws tha. lie deep in the hearts
OF mankind, laws that were mentioned
~ the prophet Micah, commanding men
20 40 Justly and to love mercy We
confer this honor of the state upon
your eminence as the worlds highest
exenplar OF those laws OF justice and
mercy through which the race ressts
injustice, overcomes .savagery and rises
toward its God in human brotherh God"
The Cardinal bowed his head while
the black. purple and yellow hood OF
q Of Low l.,
neck. and as he received the "ngrossed
parchment from Fresid dent Finley.
Mercier is Modest
How could l find q way capable
ot voicing the feelings which so deep
ly move me- Cardinal MERCER said
N wledging the honor paid him
oy the university.
IT I did something in my country
for ny peopie-and as you are kind
enough to say, for other peoples--it
was not By personal capabilities and
not by mind or Will, but because from
the first moment Of the war | believed
in the justice and mercy OF God. When
! saw the German columns devastate
NY land and shed the blood Of poor
innocent civilians thought it impos
sible that God should tolerate such
Z scandal.
First Of all seek the kingdom Of
God and JUSTICE Remembering those
words was impelled not to consider
the consequences Of my actions. We
had but one thing to do-our duty,
the duty Of saving liberty and saving
justice My only motive. which was
always living in my heart, was right
above might
II never a moment feared the en-
emy. They tried by threatening me.
by bribery, by perhdious insinuation
to have me remain silent before my
flock. I said to them; Never mind;
l shall speak because l have something
TO say"
More than three hundred persons
were waiting at the Grand Central
Terminal to greet Cardinal MERCER
when the train that brought him from
Albany pulled in al 1910 p. m. The
prelate did not enter the lobby Of the
station, however. He went to the
street by private exit. He was taken
to the residence of Archbishop Hayes
in taxcab. which was decorated with
the colors of Belgium.