Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1919-09-22

Winding up his visit to Maryland,
His Eminence. Cardinal Mercier Bel
: GUMS Emissary TO the United States
from out of the World War. was the
honor guest in Maryland's Capital city
today. and was accorded n welcome so
spontaneous, sincere and fervent. as 10
show the deep affection and admiration
which the people have for this great
and good man.
Reiteratng his message from the
people of Belgium, expressing their
deep gratitude and esteem to the peo-
pie of the United States. regardless OF
creed. for their great sacrifices and aid
in the successful termination OF the
war, Cardinal Mercier spoke lefore
hundreds of Annapoltans who massed
within the precincts of the House Of
Delegates Chamber at the State House
at noon.
The Cardinal made a deep impress
sion on his audience. and when he uf-
tered the words Of King Albert soon
after the beginning of the war back in
August, 1914, which showed that Bel
gium would resist the Prussans to the
lend. tumultous applause rang from the
audiences.
There was not the slightest hitch in
the arrangements for the visit of the
noted Prelate nor was there any delay
whatever in the trip from Baltimore
(which was made by the members of his
party in automobiles On the way
down via the boulevard, Cardinal Mer-
cier and his party stopped at Fort Nc
Henry, for a few minutes, where the
Cardinal received the respects of the
entire body of 1000 wounded soldiers
and the hospital staff. There the Cardi-
nal spoke briefly and took occasion to
personally congratulate Sergeant j. l..
Walsh, who also was presented with
a Distinguished Service Cross recently
sent him by the War Department for
bravery in action. This ceremony took
place in the historic Star Fort
Accompanied by Cardinal Gibbons,
Iof Baltimore, Cardinal MERCER riding
in the private automobile of Governor
Harrington, the rest of the party fol-
flowing in other machines, the noted
visitor from across the seas. arrived in
Annapolis shortly after II o'clock.
They were exactly on scheduled time.
First of all the Cardinal and his party
were conveyed to st. Mary's Catholic
Church edifice on Gloucester street,
where a great congregation Of the
Church members and other persons,
had assembled to greet him: The chill
dren of ST. Mary's Parochial School.
each bearing aloft a small American
flag. had been lined up on either side
OF the street and cheered and waved
their flags upon the Primate's arrival.
IAlighting from the automobile, Cardi-
nal Mercier, with Cardinal Gibbons be-
side him, walked slowly and solemnly
up the aisle of the Church and. kneel-
ing, delivered blessing.
Then the two Cardinals returned to
the main entrance of the Church and
gave another blessing to the concoarse
of people, after which there was more
cheering, and many of those in the
crowd, men and women advanced and
shook hands with the Cardinal. In
not a few instances, men and women
Ialike, kissed the hand of the Primate
Then the children attending the
Parochial school held a ceremony all
their own This was when a hand
some bouquet of flowers was presented
to Cardinal Mercier together with
purse of gold, the contribution for
which were made by the children. for
the destitute and war-stricken chill
: dren OF Belgium. The gifts were ac-
I Iknowledged by the Primate with a
sweet and loving smile that is one OF
his great characteristics. The Cardinal
received the flowers from the hands
of little Misses Harriet Treadway and
Clara Coughlin, while the presentation
of the purse was made by Masters
Howard McWiIIiams and William
Nees.
n Leaving the Church. with the school
children marching ahead, Cardinal
Mercier and party, were driven up
Gloucester street and around the cir
! iclc to the Executive Mansion, where
the Primate was received by the Gov
ernor and Mrs. Emerson G. Harring-
ton. Nrs. Harrington was attired in
a handsome gown of black satin. with
hat to match. In connection with the
reception Mrs. Harrington, presented
to Cardinal Mercier, in behalf OF the
Peggy Stewart Chapter, Daughters OF
the American Revolution, of Annapo-
| Ills, handsome laurel wreath. as a
token of the admiration in which Bel
|. lgium's war Cardinal Is held. This
presentation took place at the close Of
This address in the State House.
II The stay at the executive Mansion
Twas brief Leaving there, Cardinals