Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-03-21
Communicated. ,
ST PATRICK'S DAY.

MAN Society Of this town,who for numbers ana
reyr.c,abili,v is not surpassed by any in the
District. About half past ii, n. NJ. the pro-
cessior commenced from the Town-Hall, es-
corted by the very handsome Company oil the
National Volunteers, commanded by Captain
Hickey, from Washington, who had volunteers
ed their services for theeccasion. The process
sion moved slowly on to St. Mary's, the new
Catholic Church Of this town, preceded by the
Marine Band from Washington (who had aso
politely offered their assstance,) playing some
beautiful national airs in the FIRST style Of execu
ton, to the grea, delight Of numerous train OF
citizens. Upon their arrival at Church, Divine
Service was performed by the Chaplain of the
Society, the Rev. J. w. Fairclough, after which
the Rev J. Smith, from Georgetown, delivered
an eloquent characteristic discourse OF Ireland
and her history The orator commenced II the
period OF the arrival Of the earliest settlers in
Ireland, previous to the introduction OF Chris
tianity, and pursued the narration Of the lead
ing facts of history down to the present time.
He proved Ireland 10 have been the seat Of
learning,-a nation Of heroes SSvirtuous patriots,
previous to its subnga,ion by HenrylI. King Of
England. He painted in glowing colors the
devastation Of his country BY the tyranIs Of
England; and concluded by an eulogium on the
Hibernian Society, for the truly worthy object
its institution, aud recommended the members
to be united together and to persevere in the
prosecution Of their noble undertaking.
The Society then returned 10 the Town-liall
in the same order Of procession, the Band play
Ing some exquisite Irish melodies.
The Rev. ]. Smith having, in the name OF
the Chaplain, returned thanks 10 the Captain
and Company, and to the Marine Band, for the
favor of their attendance, CaptainHickey replied
, as follows
In celebrating the anniversary Of the great
Apostle OF Ireland, the Company OF National
Volunteer Gre happy in having an opportuni-
" Of associaiir with the Hibernian Society OF
Alexandra, the objects OF whose association
are so near to the heart Of every friend of bene-
violence and philanthrophy. The breast Of eve
~ member of this corps swelis with emotions
Of heartfelt satisfaction in salu,ing, with the
bro,herly hand of friendship, the members Of
your fraternity: they revere its principles, for,
allow US to announce to you, that our Company
Hibernian., and the sons Of H i5crnians; they
are deeply interested in The welfare Of Socie-
ty whose special object is TO meet, with the
arms of friendship, emigrants from Ireland, and
extend the hand Of bene violence 10 such as may
be thrown pennyless on these distant shores
A society to which the of Erin and their
descendants and families in this town and coun-
", and the county Of Fairfax, may resort for
advice, assistance, redress OF grievances, and
protection from those injuries to which The wan,
ofinformation and experience may sub]ecf stran-
ger. in a foreign land. Of all foreigners arriv.
ing in these United States, none deserve more
cordial reception than the natives Of the Eme-
raid Isle-an Isle which one Of its native ,ons,
St. Donat, Bishop Of Fesula, near Florence, thus
describes:
'Tar Westward lies an isle of ancient fame,
By nature blessed and Erin is her name;
Enrolled in books, exhaustless in her store,
Ofveiny silver and ofgolden ore
Her fruitful soil forever teens with wealth,
With gems her waters and her air with health,
Her verdant fields with milk and honey flow,
Her woolly heeces vie with virgin snow;
Her waving furrows float with bearded corn,
And arms and arts her envied sons adorn.
No savage bear with lawless fury roves,
Nor ray'nous lion thro' the peaceful groves,
No poison there infects, nor scay snake
Creeps thro' the grass, frog annoys the lake;
An island worthy of her pious race,
In war triumphant, and unmatched IN peace.
Would to heaven that the declaration con-
tanned ia the last line in this verse had always
q, proved true, aud that when her undaunted sons
were coutending for their liberties, they had
been triumphant; hnt, alas! the pure blood Of
her martyrs flowed, and their relieks lie eG-
tombed in her bosom, and
'Io by the sod where classic Barry sleeps,
Genius low bending, droops the wings and weeps;
NJ shaJo ida Zen
Save the sweet sigh of the surrounding air,
Or purer accent Of some angels prayer,
While heavens bright bow, with orient ray serene,
Sweeps its high arch and consecrates the scene"
AIas sweet Erin, thy own dear sons are wan
5ering houseless DER thy green helds!-are
strangers in their native land, and have no tie,
save the names of their ancestors, which lie be-
meath the Geld and silent tomb, to bird them to