Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-03-18 00:00:00

ST. PATRICK'S DAY TN
LIVERPOOL.
MEETING AT THE CONCERT HALL.
Last night, the Concert Hall, Lord Nelson-street, was
crowded by a most respectable audience, for the purpose of
celebrating the anniversary of St. Patrick. The proceedings
were advertised to commence at seven o'clock, but it was a

quarter to et
arrived

_ before the chief speakers of the evening
Among the gentlemen on the platform we noticed—
the Reverends Nugent, J. Conway, R. R. Blaney, P.
Laverty, Dr. Kelly, and Messrs. M. J. Hore, E. J. Hore
B. French, Talbot Searle, J. Flynn, J. Sweeney, T. Martin,
J. McArch!, H. Butler, T. Knight, M. McKenley, Mr. Mac-
mike, M.P. for Dungarvan, and Charles Russell, barrister-

In the interval an excellent band played a selection of
Irish National airs, which seemed to be well appreciated.
The proceedings commenced with a concert, in which
isrs. Scarisbrick, Bullen, and Miss Wynne were the
;pal artistes. There were several songs sung by
Miss Wynn was rapturously encored on her
Moore's celebrated " "tarp that once through
Dr. Drernan's celebrated " Erin" was
very well recited by Master Thompson. Several allusions
to America were received with the greatest enthusiasm.
The chair was taken by.
Father Nugent, who said, it must be a pleasure to those
assembled, as it was to him, to see the room so well filled.
They had now held the St. Patrick's anniversary for five
years, but never before had they such a large and respect-
able meeting. lie congratulated them upon this, when they
must take into account that there were some 10 or 12 simi-
lar meetings held at that time ; and he had no hesitation in
saying that there was at least some 12,000 Irishmen, women,
and children in Liverpool then celebrating the dfay in an
equally rational, aye and a religious manner. The rev.
speaker then proceeded to pass a eulogium upon the Irish
race for their love of country; be where they may their
hearts always turn to their native land. Even the poor
'riles from Donegal, who had been so brutally treated, to
, hour cherished that feeling. Neither
affliction can drive out of the heart
honest Irishman the inherent love of
The speaker then alluded to the fact of
e-born Irishman ; but his sympathies
_al with the Irish, and he had all his life
his utmost fur their good and benefit. He then

s Halls

env last

fortune

creed and country

his not bein

had always -he

a nativ

inirouncea
The Rev. Mr. Conway, who assured the meeting that he
felt very proud of the honour of addresing them. He
Would feel ashamed if he did not at once glory in such a
for such a purpose. As an Irishman and a priest,
imself thoroughly under the influence of this glo-
---the anniversary of the apostle of Ireland; he
whose name had such magic power on every Irish heart---
that heart in which were blended, in one unity, two of the
most exalted of virtues—love of country, and love of creed.
He admonished them all to live in peace and amity
with their neighbours, and to show to English Pro=
te,tants what a cheering influence the Catholic religion
hat upon the human mind. If they did not cherish feelings of
love and brotherhood they were not Catholics, they were
going back to heathenism. He made a rapid, brief, and
pithy e:tlogium upon the Catholic religion, which had now
stood the tost upwards of nineteen centuries. It prospered
under the burning sun ; in the snowy regions of Russia ; in
of America, even so far away as California.

rioas da

Because Irishmen were scattere,,,
y carried away a love of country and creed, and
~,,copagated only true gospel. He passed on to the
,ongs of Ireland, that gem of the Western World which
has so long been set in the brow of a stranger. But he
looked forward to the day when she would by moral in-
fluence become a bright star when other suns had set. Let
thein' but stick to the Catholic religion, that rock of ages,
the only one hope and consolation of Ireland, then Ireland
has before it a reward for her fidelity, she shall be no longer
_..,as, but shall walk in independence.
John Francis Maguire, Esq., M.P. for Dungarvan, then
He was received with great applause, and quiet
-41 restored, he proceeded to say that he felt
embarrassed. Really and truly when he came into
that room he did not know what was expected
from. him. He was not aware of any par-
ticular *abject they wished him to speak on, but he had
taken his cue from the previous speakers, and would try to
sav something. Some allusion had been made as to the
influence Catholics in England could have upon the laws.
He would endeavour to show them how this influence could
be beneficially exerted. No doubt Ireland is not in that
deplorable condition she was formerly in, yet a great
deal has to be accomplished before she is free. He
would say that Catholics in this country, if they
brought to bear all the influence even in the election of
Conservatives, the amount of that power and influence
would have a very material effect on the House of
Commons—if not in the debates, at any rate at the divisions.
Catholics do not fully appreciate the power and strength
which they possess. He proceeded to show what was to
be accomplished. He would instance gaols and workhouses
in this country. There was no doubt but that poverty
led to crime, and that there were many Irishmen and
Catholics in the gaols, yet he denied that there were more than
a fair per tentage, taking the population according to
religion. In the jails in this country, if a poor Catholic
bas the strength of mind to look for a priest, that priest
dare not enter his cell—there is an act of parliament which
prevents him —and yet the Protestant clergy. can enter any
cell at any time. A more shameful and infernal system
could nut be named. He contended that this was a
—1 affair for Catholics to take up, for until
chains are snapt asunder, the Irish
emancipated. He proceeded to en-
great solace the Catholic religion
was to the poor pauper, and implored the rich
Catholics to mix more with the poor and thus exert a
beneficial influence. He was sorry to say, that the more
money a man made, it seemed to make him the more
apathetic respecting his religion; there were, of course,
exceptions to this, but it was the rule. Previous speakers
had spoken of the fearless independence of a number of the
Irish members. He hoped that no motive would ever
prevent him carrying out his promises to extort justice to the
tenant farmers of Ireland ; this brought him to speak of
the last batch of emigrants from Donegal. It was his duty
to struggle against a most infamous attempt that was made
before a committee of the House of Commons, for the pur-
pose of purifying the character of the Donegal landlords,
and to blacken and sully the character of the tenants. He
had never heard of an instance of such cruelty, rapacity, and
downtht brutality than had been exercised towards those
• - his wonder was, that any human being could

the back 1
And why

1 over the

robe.
having

somevi;lia

large upon th

i,.<

) milli

le9.:radir

, The conduct of the landlords
rapacious, mean, and tyrannical
;ndonpndence of the Irish mem-

it to be maintained, they ought to

them in their endeavours to extort
entry and creed by thelrish was praised
ntleman, who instanced the fact that
F money had been expended iu the
within the last few years,

the encumbered

court, more
This was a

wtholte tenant farmers. , io*eat
contrast with the time when Catholics were prevented by
from holding any landed property. They all remem-
' terrible famine which passed over Ireland with
of a whirlwind, and destroyed •the lives and
wo million human being. During that time
proselytiser was in full fling. He visited
' bin 'in the midst of death and

berea th

the AbD:n

interpretation of th
few

to tilt r;noiln
and trill rilnlyt
He allude

and mos
The sp

averted

titan ever

Hiyentic,calm, and h;l;manner charmed the
1 theyone and all embracedthat holy religion
icy have dung ever since. Front St. Patrick
)e iS an CURV Chancrn anti arnortlinAv Mr.

hr- Pious the Ninth

tl

s that were pu

~ any nation in Europe, and 'noticed "ice
of the Pope to the tiara. As for political
only on the Bth of last October, 72
The rumours of war
The speaker did not fear that
light the spark, but he,had no faith in Loui
Niapi)l;:,..n.. who was so ambitious that

f the Roman Statt

afraid of his down-
in a blaze. There was

Palmerston, who he heard speak the other
Ise of Commons on this subject, and who
ii~na.nt lies that he ever heard from the
LB: Then there was Sardinia. He did not
Imola wished war, but Count Cavour he
He was like Lord Palmerston, he had
k which I
e formerly had, and now to keep
tO zet involved in

told
lips
belic

1 ofne.‘ he wished' Lu
but God forbid that ever the day
rive when the Roman States are attacked.
:r again returned to the euloaism of the Catholic
ild concluded by appealing to the meeting to act
and quietly through life, to live in unity with
awl to use their best endeavours for the
of the Catholic religion, and the entire freedom

of Ireland. Mr. Maguire was frequently cheered, and on
his resuming his seat burst after burst of applause followed,
lasting for several minutes.
A vote of thanks having been passed to Father Nugent
for his services as chairman, the meeting seperated shortly
after ten o'clock.

IRISH CATHOLIC CLUB.

ANNUAL DLNNER,

the anniversary of the patron saint of
Ireland,Yestedertha mbengeimhers of the Irish Catholic Club held their
annual dinner at the Adelphi Hotel. The dinner was
served up at half-past six o'clock, and when we say it was
dono in Mr. Radley's first-rate style, it is quite enough on
that point. The viands were in profusion, and of the first-
class quality, as well as the wines. The " Bill of Fare"
was selected 'with great care. There were over one
hundred gentlemen present, amongst whom were the
Revs. Mr. Walsh, Mr. O'Kelly, Mr. Belly, Mr. Neville,
Mr.. Duggan, 'Mr. J. Grant, Very Revs. Canon Cookson,
and D. Fisher, Revs. T. Tobin, M‘Neville,. J. Davy,
E. 0. Callaghan, John Cosgrave, Father O'Brien,
Messrs. D. Powell, R. Sheil, James Whitty, C. J. Corbally,
T. C. P. Neville, Duggan, J. Branson, Thomas Carroll,
Michael Dwyer, James Quinn, J. Walsh, Rourke, Bannon,
B. Traynor, and many other influential and respectable
gentlemen. The hon. secretary, Mr. Powell, exerted him-
self and was quite successful in all his arrangements, which
gave satisfaction to all. There was an excellent band in the
orchestra, and a variety of Irish national airs were performed
with skill. The chair was taken by John Tates, jun., Esq. ;
James Whitty, Esq., and J. C. Corbally, Esq., being in the
vice-chairs. At the right of the chairman sat, His Lord-
ship the Bishop of Liverpool, the Rev. S. Grant, R. Sheil,
Esq., T.C., &c. ; and on his left, the Rev. Provosts Cookson
and Fisher, Mr. D. Powell, &c.

When the banquet had been amply discussed, the Bishop
of Liverpool said grace, and after an appropriate air by the
baad—

The Chairman rose amid cheers and said, he had the
hononr to propose the health of his Holiness, Pope Pius
IX. (Cheers.) In an assembly like that he would not
offer any apology for introducing the toast to their notice, for
so long as things spiritual took the lead of things worldly
in an assembly ot Roman Catholics, so long would the
health of his Holiness the Pope be received with respect
and veneration. At the present moment the states of the
Pope presented a subject of special concern, as these states,
to all appearances, were about, perhaps, to undergo a
change either for good or for evil.—(hear, hear)—but no
matter what change these states might undergo, there
would be no change whatever in the Pope. (Cheers.)
Whether his Holiness reigned triumphant in a palace, or
pined in a prison, he was still the same
in the eyes of the Roman Catholic people of the world.
(Cheers.) He was their sovereign head in spiritual matters,
and no matter what position he might be placed in, he was
enshrined in the affectionate hearts of his people. (Loud
cheers.) Come what would, the Pope was still the same to
the Catholic people of the whole world (hear, hear) ; but
he hoped he would still maintain the position that he now
held, but if he did not, he was still the same sovereign to
them that he had always been, and no change of position
could ever deprive him of being the same sovereign Pontiff
that he now is, and that he ever would remain in the
hearts of his faithful people. (Loud cheers.) He then
proposed the toast, which was drunk amid enthusiasm,
which lasted some time. Air : "The Papal March."

The Chairman then rose and said, he had the honour of
proposing the health of our " Gracious Sovereign," and he
did so with good will. (Cheers.) They owed her attach-
ment and loyalty, not the lip-loyalty of some people.
(Hear, hear.) They owed her not only loyalty and attach-
ment as their Sovereign, but also for all the virtues that
adorn her sex and high position ; and there was not to
be found, amongst any class of her subjects, more loyal,
more devoted, nor more zealous for her person, crown, and
dignity, than her Roman Catholic subjects. (Cheers.)
And he was sure the day would never come when any
one dare impeach that loyalty. (Hear, hear.) It
was, therefore—and he knew they would drink it—with
affection and sincerity, that he proposed the health of our
gracious Queen, who in all relations of life was the admira-
tion of her subjects, who not only loved, respected, and
venerated her as a monarch, but also as a lady whose
virtues and example shed a new lustre on the diadem that
adorns her brow. ( Loud cheers.) He then proposed the
health of "Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen." Drunk
with great applause. "Air, God aave the Queen."

The Chairm—an then gave ."
Prince Albert, and the rest of
the Royal Family."
Air —" Coburg March," and all the honours.
The Chairman then directed their attention to the next
toast, " The Bishop of the Diocese, and the English
Hierarchy." (Applause.) There was a degree of attachment
between the hierarchy and the people, and amongst the
Catholic people there was a 'strong feeling. The bishop was
there amongst them, and he frequently mixed among them
in worldly matters, but for thefr spiritual welfare. Many

.in that room, in a worldly point of view, were far above the
hierarchy, and when they mixed in the crowd, no one knew
them from the rest of the crowd to be bishops ; but they
were appointed for a higher purpose---tho direction
of God's church in this country. (Hear, hear )

, •
They were richer in the hearts of the people than in the
world, and he would prefer seeing them so richly endorsed
in the hearts of the people than if they were endowed with
worldly goods, and hoped he would never see the day when
they would' be deprived of the richness of the affections of
of the people's love in directing them in spiritual matters,
rather than to the advance of worldly goods. He then pro-

posed the toast,which was received with great and continued
applause for some time.
His Lordship, the Right Rev. Dr. Goss, then rose to
respond. He thanked the company for the kind reception
they had given to his name, but they did not speak of
him'alone, but of the hierarchy generally, with which they
honoured him by coupling his name. It was a great conso-
lation to him to meet his people, and it was one of his
greatest comforts to meet and be amongst them. (Cheers.)
He would be for ever content to live, and never go outside
the extent of his diocese, as he felt all the comfort that
could be desired within that circle. (Hear, hear.) But he
was obliged, in obedience, every fourth year, to visit his
Holiness, and give an account of his government for the
charge entrusted to his care, and never did schoolboy return-
ing to his paternal roof receive more kind and affectionate
welcome than awaited him at his spiritual home by his holy
father. (Loud cheers.) But for this obligation, lie would
be content never to pass the bounds of his
diocese. (Hear, hear,) He thought it would not, per-
haps, on that occasion, be amiss, before so many influential
gentlemen as he then saw around him, to say a few words
upon a subject other than that which he was generally in
the habit of addressing to his hearers and people. He was
confined !in other places, he was confined to discourses on
texts of Scripture, but the subject he now referred to was

of a different character. It was said that Catholics had
now full and unrestricted liberty, but that wai not so,
for he wonld show that they did not even receive the liberty

that they were fully and fairly entitled to, and which their
had a right to demand. (Hear, hear.) He did not wish
to say anything even seemingly hard of select vestries or
boards of guardians, because he knew well there were up-
right, honourable, and philanthropic gentlemen connected
with the town who belonged to these institutions. (Hear
hear.) If these did no

far enough to meet his views,
say one word agains

he would no

Hear, he

but if they did not go far enough to meet his views, and
the views of the Catholic population, who were entitled to
justice, it was not because these gentlemen had it not in
their power to do justice, but because they were afraid of
people outside, of whom they ought not to be afraid to do
justice. (Hear, hear) These boards had it in their power
to do justice, but they refused to do it. He•then alluded to
the injustice of the Parliament having so long refused to
grant Catholic emancipation, although the Parliament had

the power to grant that, and said the select 'Vestry had it in
their power to do justice to the Roman Catholics, but
refused to do it ; and therefore, whit they were refused
justice, they could not but think that they were persecuted
still. (Hear, hear.) He proceeded to read a return taken
some time ago, and said at that time the numbers of Catho-
lics in the West Derby Workhouse were 150, and of other
denominations 530 ; there was a chaplain appointed for the
latter, who was paid from £2OO to £3OO a-year, whilst the
Catholic chaplain was obliged to attend at all hours, when
called on, to the sick and otherwise, and did not receive one
penny, although the board had the power to pay him for
his services. (Hear, hear, and pv?e.) Now, this was

persecution, with all their
In the Liverpool Workhouse, at the time the return was
taken, there were 2,190 persons, and about the half of
them were Catholics. There was a chaplain to attend them,
but he did not receive a penny from the town. (Hear,
hear.) In the_ borough gaol, from January to October,
there were 180 prisoners, and in the county gaol
108 ; in the Industrial schools 361 Roman Catholics,
and 506 of other denominations. There were chaplains to
attend to the other denominations, but the Roman
Catholic chaplains do not rem'' sincile penny from Thc

town for their attendant

we
Now
e full

ns bad t

Sower to grant remnnora-

Lion to Catholic chaplains for their attenaance, but they
refused to do so, and Catholics very naturally considered
that this was a persecution because of their faith. Tie was
aware that the Catholic religion was not the religion ofthe
state, but the Catholics were entitled by law to a provision;
nevertheless, they did not receive that provision
would wish to

so altered as to compel tue autno-
rities to do them justice. He thought the subject was one
of considerable importance, and that the Select Testry,
having it in their power to grant a subsidy, ought to be
compelled to do so. He was of opinion that this was a
subject which ought to be agitated. It would be only
(air to put the Roman Catholics on the same footing as

other chaplains, for they were entitled by law. They
ought to go to government at once, and apply for an order to
put them on a proper understanding. Perhaps some of these
gentlemen were too cautions and too prudent to free public
opinion by doing what was right in regard to the payment
of Roman Catholic chaplains. Now he (Dr. Goss) liked
prudent and cautious men, but he also liked bold and de-
termined men, and he was sure that if the question was put
strongly in the proper quarter that fair remuneration would
be given, and justice done to the Roman Catholic chaplains.
(Hear and cheers.) His Lordship, after some remarks to
the same point, duly thanked the company for the manner
in which his health had. been proposed and responded to,
and said that he had now shortly stated to them a subject
that had pressed on his mind for some time, and he trusted
that the influential gentlemen whom he saw around him
that evening would not let the matter drop there. He sat
down amid loud cheers.

The next toast was proposed by Mr. Richard Sheil, who,
on rising, was greeted with rounds of applause. He felt,
he said, in rather a difficult position in proposing the toast
entrusted to him, and that was the " Irish Hierarchy."
(Cheers.) He might say, from Saint Patrick down to the
present time, the Irish hierarchy had difficulties to contend
with, and yet they had always pursued their duties with a
stern and uncompromising dignity until they succeeded.
(Hear, hear.) He alluded to the penal laws enacted
against the Catholic people of Ireland and this country, and
pointed out the persecutions to which the Hierarchy
and the people were subject, and showed that
the clergy had always maintained the faith of the apostles.
The Irish Hierarchy had never been broken from St.
Patrick down to the present Archbishop of Armagh, his
successor, and yet they had always maintained their reli-
gion, through every persecution. In reference to the
wealth of the Catholic and Protestant Bishops of Ireland,
he stated that when Dr. Tray, the Roman Catholic Arch-
bishop of Dublin, died, he left the enormous sum of
half-a-crown behind him, whilst an Archbishop of the other
church died, and his property was sworn under two hundred
thousand. This showed that the Irish Hierarchy had,
through ages, unaided by wealth, carried out the pure
principles of their religion for ages, and with energy and
zeal that deserves everlasting gratitude. He then proposed
the toast, which was drank with great enthusiasm, " St.
Patrick's Day." . .

Mr. James Whitty imposed the next toast, but, previous
to doing so, he thanked his lordship for the allnsions he
made to him and his exertions at the Select Vestry ; and
said he was only doing his duty, not only to his fellow
Roman Catholics, but for all other classes of the rate-
payers, He bore testimony to the high standing of the
members of that board, and thought that the subject alluded
to by his lordship ought to be taken into consideration
and represented to the proper quarter, and he feared not
that success would follow their exertions. (Hear, hear.)
After some further observations on the point, he proposed,
in suitable tsrms, "Our Catholic Institutions and Charities."
He then spoke on education and charitable institutions of
the country, past and present, and proposed the toast amid
loud cheers. He advocated education, and said it was the
duty of the laity to furnish the clergy with the means of
educating the poor. The toast was received with great
applause. Air, "Home, sweet home."
The Chairman then introduced Mr Daniel Powell, one
(he said) of the most devoted and zealous Catholic young
men of Liverpool. (Loud cheers.)
Mr. Powell then, in a speech of considerable power and
ability, proceeded to propose the next toast, which
was " Our Local Clergy." The toast was drunk with all
• the honours. Air "The Priest in his Boots," which in
Irish is Sogarth Aroon, a beautiful old Irish air.
I The Very Rev. Provost Cookson returned thanks in a
neat and appropriate speech, and was warmly cheered.
The last toast was proposed by the Rev. P. O'Brien, and
was " The Memory of O'Connell." The rev. gentleman
made an effectual speech, and was warmly applauded. The
toast was drunk in solemn silence. Some excellent songs
wrre given by Mr Walsh and other gentlemen, and the
company began to separate before eleven, having spent a
a pleasant and intellectual evening.