Evening journal., 1919-09-10
MERCER BLESSES
N. Y. WITH SMILE
Belgium Prjmatc Appreci-
ates Amer ca S Aid to
His People
SOLDIERS BOW
BEFORE PRELATE

NEW YORK. Sept ll.-Cardinal Mer-
cier brought his smile 10 Amcrra.
It's a new kind OF a smile. and cold
calculating, rushing, roaring New York
likes IL. That wonderful smile OF the
primate Of Belgium that was a source
OF comfort to his flock in the darkest
hours of the war was observed as soon
as The transport Northern Pacific, bear
ing the cardinal and his suite, docked
in IIoboken late yesterday
| Thousands saw The smile as the pre-
late beamcd upon them at The crossings
while his automobile was held up by
traffic. When The cardinals car drew
up at The residence Of Archbishop Hayes
! in Madison avenue, large crowd had
assembled on Tie sidewalk. As The car
dinal alighted his smile again came in
evidence. His eyes shOne, his lips
parted. lie lifted his silk hat and
handed it TO an attendant. Then he
blessed the crowd Hundreds knelt on
the street. Soldiers and sailormen went
upon their knees, sturdy policemen.
street vcnders, men, women and chill
drcn. in rich and poor apparel, bent
down 10 receive the blessing Of The
great Belgian who dened the claws Of
cluiched him.
There was not sound as the car
dnal passed up The steps OF The resi-
dence. At the wide doorway he hesi-
tatad. lie turned and smiled upon the
assembage. Then they realized what
the Mercicr smile was--s0 benign, so
gentle, so. .suaye, so comforting.
Five minutes after he entered Arch |
bishop Hayes residence The cardinal /
was In The reception room talking to
a little knot OF newspaper folk. The
sun and wind had tanned him and he
appeared vigorous. lie isn't, however,
as active as he was in 1915, when in
terviewed( at mis- palace In Malines.
His form is thinner. his hair grayer and
his piercing, bright eyes are sunken
deeper into his head
War and The woes OF the Belgians
have left their imprint upon the man
who has come overseas TO tell the pcO-
pie OF America Of The gratitude Of a
small and suffering nation: 10 America
that so bOuntifully stretched its long
arm Of charity across the deep and fed
and clothed the hungry hundreds Of
thousands. His was the tallest and
most impressive figure as he stood (
here upon the soft carpets OF the red
and gilt room OF the archibishop's Z
'esidence. I
Il am happy, very happy" ex-
'laimed the cardinal in English that !
Nas easily understood. 81 have longed /
or and prayed for this day-the day {
When I could stand in America and S
ell your people how thankful We are" /
Here the cardinal paused a moment. q
lie seemed almost overcome. The Mer- !
'ier smile, bright and CHEEKY, saved {
lin when IL overspread his features. a
81 am tired, IL was a rough trip, '
,ut here l am and | am so glad he {
continued. r
"lOur eminence. what one thing do I
'ou want 10 see most in America?" a
The people" he replied; the peO- I
lie, your wonderful American people
want TO tell them how we love them" 2
The cardinals voice dropped almost n
o whisper as he repeated Il want v
D tell them how we love them; they !
'on our love when they fed us. They o
icressed that love many fold when h
ley came and fought for us. 10 is h
.Onderful. beyond words 10 tell OF It. il
ow you, OF America. fllled our mouths "
nd then. later on. so many laid down u
ler lives for us" b