Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-09-11

New York. Sept. 9.-Cardinal MERCER.
Belgiums' gallant churchman. arrived
here to-day, bringing to America the
thanks of the little country in whose
tragic history he has played so heroic
part. AS the venerable prelate stepped
for the first time on American soil he
was asked for a message to the Ameri-
can people.
II can only say 4 thank you he re-
Piled. his voice quivering with emotion,
what else is there for me to say?"
Cardinal MERCER speaks excellent Eng
llsh with a soft. musical accent. There
Is little in the outward form of the
man who has played so striking n part
on the worlds stage to tell of the de-
voted priest who defled the German in
vader in the most insolent moment of
his brutal triumph and sternly babe him
heed the law of God If he cared moth
ing for the laws of men. Thin almost
to the point of emaciation. his tall form
bent under the tremendous burden he
bore for four terrible years, the features
of his heavily lined face seem to re-
veal nothing but gentleness and kindli-
ness. But the deep set brown eyes look
out from under the strongly marked eye
brows with a clear, calm, and penetrat-
ing gaze which tell much of the uncon-
querabe spirit of the man.
Daylight was fading when the United
States army transport Northwest Pacific
steamed slowly to its pier in Hoboken.
Long before 1t locked the watchers on
the wharf had caught sight of the tall.
black figure standing on the bridge gaz-
ing eagerly at the shores of the country
" a MT rt, tn hi fi,-a
land in her hour of deepest need A
great cheer went up and the cardinal
DOTTED his tr-cornered beaver hat and
bowed again and again in answer.
AS soon as the gangway had been run
up Mayor Hylan and the official welcom-
ing committee. Archbishop Hayes and a
| number of other church dignitaries who
had accompanied the transport up the
bay on the police boat Patrol boa I'd I'd
| her and officially welcomed the guest
of the city and nation. The cardinal
was then escorted from the transport to
the Patrol on which he was taken across
the river and thence by automobile to
Archbishop Hayes residence.
Cardinal MERCER will go to Balti-
more tomorrow to visit Cardinal Glib
bons with whom he will stay some
days. Afterward he will return to
New York and later visit Albany and
Boston. western tour ending on No
vember 5 will bring his American Wis
1t to an end.
Asserting that his only mission to
this country was to convey to the peo-
pie of America his Admiration and
love" and to express on behalf of the
people of Belgium both Catholic and
Protestant" their gratitude, Cardinal
to trl, 81,
his JOY at being on American soil for
the first time.
Il have wanted to come for long
| time--I have yearned to tell you peo-
! pie of my love and esteem. ! cannot
go everywhere / would like to go in
America and l am depending on you
my friends of the press. to convey the
message for me.
Il have followed the magnificen,
record of your army in France and
| Belgium, and the men of your army
magnified the love l have for you. and
supported the magnificent record OF
| the Americans who preceded them
| You not only fed us when we were
hungry. but you prevented the Ger
mans from taking what food we had
ourselves. 1t was a magnificent serv-
! ice that we of Belgium will never for
get
| Il want to say, however that my peo-
| pie want to begin to work for them
selves again. They want to take up then
industrial life as soon as possible. Many
are idle against their wills for the rea'
son that our facilities for production were
destroyed by the Germans in their fearful
scientific manner. We want machinery
we want materials and we know thai
n1n will hnl To orlf ~
work again. | feel that we are going tc
work hand in hand-even more than evel
through your powerful American help
The cardinal was asked by newspaper
men whom he received at the residence