The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-03-24
THE WEEKLY Pioneer IND .'EMotRai

this our adopted country, and be better able to
assist our native land when her hour comes
for come it viii. To us it may appear long
delayed, but the omnipotent and just One
counts not by years. He looks into the future
and calls upon His time.
lrelands opportunity may come tomorrow,
before the war is ended here England may
take part in it, then, Sup aciM the green boys,
up s0ith the green
of the Potomac, through the Blue Ridge, says,
| "On your right comes up the Shenandoah
having ranged, at the foot of the mountain tor
| a hundred miles, seeking o vent, on your left,
the Potomac, in quest of an outlet also at the
moment of their junction. they rush against
the mountain, rend it asunder and pass on 70
| the sea-"
Thus will it be with the Celtic streams, at
home and abroad, joining together they shall
rush against the mountain of English tyranny,
rend it asunder, and bear their country into
glorious sea of civil and religious liberty; and
ages hence her story shall have mighty moral,
a hope to suffering nations that trust in the
justice of the living God.
The nations have fallen, and thou still art
Thy y sun & bu. rising, when others is set:
And though slavery's cloud DER thy morning
| hath hung,
| The fulI noon of freedom shall beam round
| thee yet"
Song" The Shamrock, "by Philip Crowley,
ESQ.
Band" Low Backed Chair"
| FIFTH TOAST.
| Our State and City.
Responded to by Hon. j. II. Stewart.
On rising to speak His Honor was greeted
with applause. He spoke of the patriotism of
the people from the beginning of the war the
prospects of the State; its health, fertility OF
soil; our benifcent school system; the OPEN
ing facilities for commerce and trade; and the
opportunities for building up here noble
manhood. Our crowded columns will not
allow the publication of all that was said on
these points.
Band-Mount Vernon Polka.
Song" Wild Irishman." Phillip Crowley,
received with uproarious applause.
SIXTH TOAST.
The Irish Lanyuage-Older than the Pyra-
mids-the shrine of classic lore-more spark
ling than the dew.drops, and sweeter than the
rose.
This toast was to be responded to by c. NJ.
Boyle, ESQ.,, in the Irish language, but sickness
prevented Mr. Boyle from being present.
| SEVENTH 1OASI
Our adopted Country-May she come forth
from the present struggle purified, strengthen
ed and united.
Responded to by Gen. Willis A. German.
Song-"rm sitting on the stile, Mary"
EIGHTH TOAST.
The Minnesota Irish Emigration Society,"
Young bat ardent in its labors for the good of
their countrymen,-the exiled children of
Ireland.
Responded to by A. u. McSweeney, ESQ.
Nh. McSweeney, although called upon late
in the evening" was listened to with interest,
and interrupted frequently with vociferous ap-
plause. The following is the substance of his
truly eloquent remarks:
From the time the vandal armies of foreign
nation desecrated the soil and bound the Irish
nation in chains of slavery, every ship that
weighs anchor in an Irish port whether she
be bound for the nations of the north or of the
| south, of the east or of the west, is thrOnged
| with the people of that oppressed country,
| fleeing from the intOlerable yoke of English
dominion.
| Whether you traverse the deserts of Arabia,
| the burning sands of Africa, or the wilds of
| Australia or America, you are certain to meet
our eXiled cOuntrymen, seeking that freedom
which is the inherent right of every man, but
| of which they are so cruelty deprived in their
| dear old native land, the flower of the earth
and the gem of the seas.
By the exterminating policy of English rule,
and their ewn ardent love of liberty, hundreds
OF the youth and vigor of our race are daily
landing upon our shores, fiendless, homeless,
and penniless; with nothing but good morals,
strong arms, and genial spirits. able and anx.
ious to convert the wild virgin prairies into
sword in defence Of liberty, or grace the halls
of refinement; yet lacking the knowledge
and experience necessary to secure homes in
their adopted country, on the vast beautiful
and prolific domains of our State. 1t 10 for
this object that the Society under whose au-
spices this entertainment is conducted, has been
organized, and are now laboring with signal
| success.
Everything that tends to elevate or amelio
rate the condition of our exiled countrymen is
not foreign to the objects and labors of this
Society. Acting on this principle, they have
already established an Irish reading room,
where the current news and literature of their
native home will be accessible to every Irish
man and the nucleus of library, in the Sc
lect pages Of which the mirror of history
shall reflect, unsullied either by the venal pen
OF the tyrant's scribe, or the fanatical rantings
OF sectional or sectarian bigotry, the great
truths of ancient and modern history. 1t is to
this object that any surplus funds that may ac-
crue from this tme-hOnOred celebration will
be appropriated. An object worthy alike of
the day we celebrate and of our people, who,
although now wandering exiles over every
nation of the globe, shall, we hope, at no dis
tant day, return in their might and drive the
invader forever from the sacred Wales and the
daisy clad hills, the land of the shamrock, the
| SUM- burst. and harp. the home of our child
hood, SO dear to each heart
Band =" Minnesota Volunteer.
| NINTH TOAST
| The Irish American Ctizen-Faithful to their
| old and new love.
Responded to by John O'Gorman ESQ.,, as
follows:
Mr.. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: sgd
The history of the Irish in America is we'll
known to every enlightened and unprejudiced
mind. Like drifted wood, we are cast on every
sea coast, and inhabit every city, town and
hamlet of this our once happy country. Per.
haps we are looked upon as q singular people
| by our fellow-citizens of other nationalities.
because we bring with us our household gods
that is, our undying love for our holy reli.
gion, and our undying love for our prosecuted