The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1860-03-24

the banquet at Light Guard Hall in the
evening. The supper had been prepared
by the ladies of the Catholic Church, and
was got up with skill, taste and profusiou
that had never been equslled in this city.
At o'clock, when supper was announced,
it was estimated there were six hundred
persons in the hall, crowding it, of course,
to its utmost capacity.
During the progress of the banquet,
which lasted two or three hours, the fol-
lowing toasts were given.
!. The day we celebrate. and all who honor It,
AIR, "M PatrieRs Day."
The toast was handsomely responded to
by Father Terry.
2. Ireiand-the home of our fathers, the land Of
our birth. % The Erale 81 Erin
3. America-the land of liberty May her adop-
ted children De foremost amongst her defenders
Hail Columbia"
Responded to in a happy speech by
Capt. o. c. GRAY, of the Washington Light
Guards.
4. The memory of Washinr,ou ION, The hero, the
statesman. the patriot. Light IF OTHER Days"
s. The President of the United States a scion of
good old stock. Star Spangled Banner
&. Illinois. Nav she daily advau in greatness
and prosperity. "Speed Tie Pior.'
Responded to in brief and felicitous
speech by E. Y. Griggs, Esq.
Z. The Irish Patriots of 'ss-
Whether on the gallows high,
Or in the battles van,
The noblest place for man to die
Is where he dies for man.
.Let Erin R,nsemIer."
s. The Firemsn of Ottawa. the guardians of our
homes. "Fire,ntn's March,
Responded to by Capt CocswELI fore
man of Niagara No l.
?. Volunteer soldiers of the T. S., the sturdy de.
tenders Of our rights. =" Bold .Soger Boy
10. The Independent Press of America the nd.
vanced guard Of liberty.
H. The Schools of Ottawa-May God prosper
them.
Responded to by W. R. Milligan prin-
cipal of Madison st. school.
~. The enemies of British TYRANNY tbroupbou,
the world. HarseiIIes Hymn"
Is The Ladies-though last not least. May
their beauty be even riv allied by their vi: tues,
" Ladies' Reception Harsh"
Responded to by Capt. Cogswell, in a
neat, witty speech.
About the hour "a wee ayont the twal."
Father TERRY reminded the audience that
they were closely encroaching on the sa-
cred hours of the Lords Day, and at this
gentle hint the large concourse quietly
dispersed.
In this connection it may not be inap-
propriate to add few words in explana.
ton of the oft repeated question why our
Irish fellow citizens make SO much of st.
Patrick? The answer is simply, because
he was the means, under God, Of redeem
ing that island from the lowest depths OF
barbarism, and raising it to the high level
of christian civilization and refinement.
Sc. P.triCk--uas Dorm 0Iarch II, A. d.
464, at the place now known as Killpat-
rick, at the mouth of the Clyde, in Scot
land. In his sixteenth year he was taken
captive by barbarians and carried into Ire-
land where he was kept in the capacity of a
swineherd. After a six months service he
escaped from his masters and returned to
Scotland. After a second captivity, he
travelled Into Italy and received his mis-
Pope Celestine. Shortly after, he went to
Ireland to commence the great work OF
converting the island from the errors of
the barbarians. During his life long work,
he established the Catholic Church firmly,
settled its discipline, established bishops,
fixed a metropolitan see" and, it is said,
wrought number of miracles among
which was the notable one Of the Danish
ment, by the benediction of his staff, of
all the reptiles from the island We be-
lieve the writer's of ecclesiastical history
generally cast doubt on the traditions of
his miracles, but if the early apostles were
endowed with miraculous powers, as they
unquestionably were, is it strange that our
Irish friends at least should JeGe,e that like
powers were given to the great apostle of
Christianity in Ireland7
But whatever may be our views on re-
condite questions like this, and whatever
differences may obtain among us on relig-
ious questions generally, no one can fail
to honor the zeal and admire the self de-
votion of St Patrick, who amidst buffet
ings, trials and hardships such as few ever
did or could endure, gave himself for over
forty years to the labor, crowned in the
end with success-of elevating q noble
race-immersed in the most degrading su-
perstitions-to the high enainence of
Christian civilization