The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-01-17
HEROIC CARDINAL
MERCER SENDS
W0RD1O AMERICA
He Admires the Bigness and
Open Heartedness of
People Of Country.
BY FRANk Nv. RosTock

editor Cincinnati Post, ". E.. A.
Correspondent in Europe.) Z
MALINES, France, Jan. 17.-Since
his return from the United States,
Cardinal Mercier, Archbishop of Ma
lines, has applied himself energetic
1cally to the task, OF the Industrial re-
construction as well as promoting the
spiritual progress of Belgium. He
paused long enough; when visited him
10 send the following message OF graf
itude to the American people for the
enthusiastic reception he received
during his tour of the states:
you ask me whether, now that ]
am come home, can give you any
message for the American people, with
regard to my journey through the
states.
LET me take up my. first words ON
landing: then said, 81 have come to
see the people, to bring them mes
sage OF admiration and gratitude.''--
These messages ! delivered wherever
! went and to the best of my ability.
And l. think my first object has also
been achieved: have seen the Peo4
pie, and use the word see" in the
sense in which we uses 1t spiritually,
meaning to know and to love.
Il know the American people, and
so their dominant characteristic OF
open-hearted frank spontaneity, has
impressed me and gone to my heart.
1t Is to this fact that I attribute the
current Of genuine sympathy which
Immediately flowed from them to me
and back again."
! met The cardinal in the room OF
the archbishopdom where he received
and answered the notes of General
Won Nlssing, when that iron listed
Prustian invader was in command
with his headquarters at Brussels. 1t
was hero that Cardinal Mercier penned
the replies which will live in history.
But now Cardinal MERCER is busy
ing himself with thoughts of peace
and progress. The end OF ; the war
brought to him many problems.
Learned to Love America.
Il am always glad to meet an Amer
lear" he said, as he welcomed me
into his study. 81 learned to love
America and Americans during my
tour of your wonderful country. i
hope to be able to visit your country
again." - :.
The cardinal was not the same tired
looking man, so many Americans met
ct the close of his American tour.
Then, his tall form was noticeably
bent with fatigue. Today he stands
erect, The lines which told of physi-
cal WEAKNESS have disappeared from
his face. :. -
4 have travelled much and in many
lands" said Cardinal Mercier. II
have met many people and made many
friends. But in all my travels never
felt mofs at home than did In your
country.
Admtres Bisness Of Heart. j
Il admire the bigness of America
and Its people. do not mean the
physical bigness of your country-!ts
great cities, Its great buildings, but the
,bigness of heart and the bigness OF
mind and purpose" 80
There was'a touch Of sadness in the
voice Of the cardinal as he discussed
the future OF the Belgian people. Bel
GUM has made tremendous strides in
the matter of, Industrial reconstruct
ton, but some institutions Fave made
little progress. 4.s,I m
i Many of the churches in the arch
bishops diocese are in a state Of bank
ruptcy. Technical schools in which
boys are taught trades are in a sad
state. !, ~. 8 ). : ( -.
/ visited one or these schools In
Malines, where hundreds OF boys are
being taught carpentry, cabinet mar