Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-02-03

The Hartford Daily Times reveres
MERCER as "one flower of heroism to
be remembered forever. as an evidence
OF the finenesS Of which the human
spirit is capable in circumstances of
hOpeleSSness and despair
OF his influence on the morale OF
the BelgianS when their country was
occupied by the enemy, the New York
Times declares. HE lifted them In
the sight of all the earth by the lofti-
ness of his own lie and purpose. He
gave TO Belgium a priceless example
which is now 4 richest heritage"
The Charlotte Observer adds the com
ment, During the perilous and dis
tressing days of the World War he
was a pillar of comfort and a bulwark
of national safety
Referring to the fact that It was
the cardinals famous pastoral let
ter of December. 1914, prepared by
him and read in every Catholic
church in Belgium. that first brought
him TO the attention of the world"
the Little Rock Arkansas Democrat
says it is generally conceded that
this letter strengthened the sword
arm and buoyed the hopes of the
Belgian people" and from that time
throughout the war he ignored the
threats of his enemies, defied them
and their many spies, and continued
to eXhort his people to resist the foe
to the last" Though he was promi-
nently the man of peace" the Okla
homa City Oklahoman observes he
became the defiant voice of Bel
GUM: he looked the enemy of his
country straight in the face. and
courageousiy taught all nations that
the soul of Belgium could not die"
The Seattle Daily Times regards
him 'as surely hero of the war as
any soldier who died on the field OF
battle" and the Dayton Daily News
adds: $50 great was he in conflict
for the cause he deemed right that
the German invaders found him more
powerful than the army they over
came. Indeed, they never overcame
him" The Birmingham News credits
the Belgian priest as having been in
those days, in his protests against
the indignities his people suffered,
the voice of reason and conscience
for the whole world" Says the AL
bany Knickerbocker Press: Against
the steel-tipped gray tide of ire
sistible savagery he marshaled the
forces of ineffable Right. And wonl"
X
No American tribute could be high
err than that given by the Passaio
Herald when II says. In many ways
the tall gaunt Belgian priest was
Lincolnesque. Behind his gravity
there was a simplicity of soul. It Is
for sheer beauty of soul that We
honor him" Speaking of efforts
which had long engaged the attention
of the cardinal. the Houston Chront-
Gle recalls that his very last hours
were devoted to efforts to promote
the work of Christian unity, which
desire he had long cherished"
The Williamsport Sun lauds the
modesty of this great man. saying
of him: Cardinal MERCER emerged
from the war an honored man, but
he refused to be made the object
of heroic acclaim. The war over, he
applied himself devOtedly to the du-
ties to which he had consecrated his
life, and il is significant that through
out his illness he continued at his
tasks" Expressing its profound ad-
miration of the unbreakable spirit
of Belgium's great hero, the Charles
ton Evening Post says. He was q
splendid figure, true bishop and q
veritable prince Of the church"