The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-03-23
Letter from our Boston Correspondent.
Boston. March 81. 1884.

Boston, March 81, 1894.
| To the Editor of the Press.
Although II Is in truth, several days "afteI
the fair" | must tell you about the Irish ga
la day of Thursday last, when the sons oil
Erin's green Isle, came out from their homes
and their workshops, to unite in grand pa
triotc demonstration in honor of their patron
saint
The celebration was conducted upon larg
er and more magnificent scale than ever be-
fore, and exhibited, in a striking and compre-
hensive manner, the strength and concentra-
tion of the Irish population in our midst.
A procession was formed upon the Com
mon in the morning, which commenced to
move at eleven o'clock, and passed through
the principal streets of the city. 1t consisted
principally, OF twenty!well organized societies,
adorned with appropriate regalia, displaying
profusion Of rich and elegant banners, and
accompanied by thirteen fine bands of music,
The number was estimated at four thous-
and men. Good order prevailed throughout
the day. The associations were chiefly be-
nevolent, patriotic and temperance societies.
The american Society OF Hibernians,"
consisting of nearly thousand members,
made the fines, display, and their banner was
one of the largest and richest in New England !;
a magnificent green silk affair, with appropri-
ate devices aad notices in gold. The Irish flags
and banners were all of green and their rega-
liza was mostly green. The "Emmet Guards"
hundred muskets, we're conspicuous for their
jaunty green caps and military bearing.
But by far the most interesting and sugges-
tive feature ofthe occasion was the touching
manner in which these aliens from the Enc
raid Isle acknowledged their dependence on,
and allegiance to the Stars and Stripes. Every
where the green flag Of Ireland was borne,
throughput the procession, there too foated the
flag of the free-on the right the golden harp
of Erin, and on the left the Red, White and
Blue. / regret to say, the city did not gener-
ously respond to this beautiful sentiment by
finging out the many national emblems which
are so often displayed upon most trivial occa-
sions.
There was deep pathos in this demon
stration; for we know how strong and iervent
is the love of natiye-land 10 all Irish hearts,
and how fondly and earnestly they speak
in its praise - driven thence by the
heavy hand of political oppression, to our
more generous and hospitable shores But
when, amid his great national demonstration
of their fond memories of the land of their
birth, they thus manifest an equal
love and respect for the land of their
adoption, should there not be warm
answering response on the part of our peo-
pie? 1t was their very love for the harp and
the shamrock, that has taught them their devo-
ton to their new country-a devotion so fully
proved by the promptness and courage with
which they have shared in our struggle for
national honor and unity. They have borne
brothers part in our day of afilction, and
we should not refuse our sympath, when
they turn to bless the green island of their
fathers, in the spirit of one who sang:
'Green be thy fields sweetest isle of the ocean.
Ana thy harp-striking bards sing aloud with de-
yntion-
Erin mavourn'n-Ern 60 bragh"
l.. A. B,