The New York herald., 1868-03-18
Celebration Of the Anniversary by the Irish
Societies in New York and Brooklyn.
Dedication of st. Patriclk's
Cathedral.
THE DAY THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

early morning crowded the streets in numbers, all
well clad and decorated with the emblem OF their
country-the green, immortal shamrock. To say thaf
the day was as good any Of dts predecessors would
De but poor compliment to the streng hearty mesi
who paraded city; to the gay and festive ones
who enjoyed themselves at the AstOr House, Del
mouicos or elsewhere, and to those hardy fellows
who unable to enjoy and participate In the fun Of the
holiday bedecked their horses with the green nag and
the Stars and Stripes and drove their wagons through
the streets and carried heavy loads intended for
commerce with oil the spirit and independence Of
men who have been emancipated from tyranny and
despotism and who are now citizens OF great and
free country. The number Of persons, evidently
Irish, who showed themselves yesterday surpassed
anything OF the kind that has occ1rred In previous
years. and their conduct was marked by the srictest
sobriety and deoorum and obedience to the laws.
Cheers for the told land' loud and sincere, were to
be heard on all sldes and SO HhorougAy Irish was
New York for the time that stranger landed in he
city would be more inclined to imagine that he ahad
dropped into the metropolis OF "Padtlys
LAndn than into the chief city OF Uncle
Sans dominions. The day Is especially dear
to the Irish race and its celebration never falls
to remind them at home OF their slavery and abroad
In this country of the freedom which they enjoy. As
the Irsllman passes through our thorOughfaY es in
procession beneath the green folds OF the nag of his
friends he has left behind and as hope springs up
within MIN he consoles himself by thinking that II he
cannot free the dear old land he can at least Iberate
some OF its children-his own friends-aD< bring
them across to the land protected by the Stars and
S' S'ripes where bread and work are no strangers to
the deserving and Industrious man. The dinneEs of
the various societies in this city and Brooklyn were
magnificent, and the reports from Jersey and else
where tell Of an equally enthusiastic celebration.
The first one OF the most interesting features Of yes
terday in this city was
THE DEDICATION OF ST. PArRICK's CATHEDRAL,
nf md nnnf htotnr lard -
our city, which was almost completely destroyed by
fire two years ago. Often tas the bexom of dnstruc-
tion swept across the faireSt and best portions of
New York, but never did the destructive element
seize upon site better known or more Tevend than
old st. Patrcks. Time passed, and while thu cathe-
dral up town has been gradually growing into the
vast and symmetrical proportions which 1t will one
day attain depending for this upon the lberality OF
the devout, newer and higher claim was presented
on the occasion OF the destruction OF old St Patricks
10 raise 1t again from the ruins In which the fire
time since involved it. Happily 1t is that the site is
one Of peculiar interest and historic "reminiscences;
that within the charrcd walls lay the santed remains
'0f two archbshops, the last apart from politics. New
YOrk's favurte son--the late Archbishop Hughes.
The fire which destroyed the sacred edfce left the
walls still standing, exciting desire in the hearts of
thousands that while the grand cathedral uptown was
being erected they would, phGnix-liEe, raise from
the ruins OF one q nobier and more magnificent
structure Yesterday, the 18th of March, the anni-
versary or Irelands great apostle selected for
The rehabilitation, or 1t might be sad the rededicaton
OF the church TO its religious purposes. While tens of
all fu OF the love wnlcn have directed them
and their footsteps to st. Patrick's knowing the
shrine they followed his banner to the strains Of
many patriotic bands OF music
THE SERVICES AT THE CATHEDRAL.
St Patrick's was yesterday crowded by the devout
not altogether by the people OF Its immediate locality
but by many OF those who came from distance to
witness the solemn and Interesting services Of the
day. Admission was by ticket; but il being known
that the grand services OF the Church, with all its
to be fully displayed, attracted large cOngre-
CATION, dllng the church to its fullest capacity.
Most Rev. Archbishop McCloskey; assistant priest
Rev. w. Starr, Vicar General; deacons OF honor to
the Archbishop, the Rev. Mr.. Quinn and Rev. Mr.
Preston: deacon OF the mass, Rev. Dr. McSweeney;
ssubdeacon Rev. Mr.. McGean master OF ceremonies
Rev. Mr. McNerney; assistant master OF ceremonies,
At half-past ten O'Clock the ceremonies were CON-
menced the Archbishop officiating both dedicator
and celebrant. There was also large number Of
clergymen present, who Joined In the grand process
sa0n. The altar was richly decorated and presented
. most brillantappearaace. Shortly before eleven
yestry and after passing down the aisle Of the
front entrance made the circuit OF the church. the
Archbishop aspergDg the walls with holy water
he went along. Subsequently the procession left the
sanctuary the clergymen chanting an appropriate
hymn, after which the Archbishop was duly vested
Tor the celebration OF the mass simultaneously the
choir, organ and orchestra peaed forth and the i'm
pressive ceremonies were begun.
Proverbla for Its musical arrangements, st.
Patrtck's yesterday almost excelled It's customary
brilliant exhibitions. The choir was augmented by
Aspendid chorus as well as by an eiicient orchestra
from the Philharmonic Society, which contributed
much to the grand and classical display. Reference
has already been made TO the composition OF Herr
Gustavus Schmtz as one OF q highly creditabe char
ecter, and the great success which has been
accorded II Is but the simple recognition OF
duced, the harmony was superb, the orchestra
line and the chorus grand The principal artists
prano, Mrs werner contraltol Mr. HSchmitz (tenor)
and Mr.. Adoph Sohst (basso). The latter gentleman
acquitted himself admirably in delightful solo In
cidental In the opening The mass Itself, COMPOSED
by the organist Mr.. Schmitz, was first produced on
the occasion OF the Installation OF Archbishop Nc
derae sno aas shee nc % been win con-
strengthened as 1t was by powerful chorus. Mad
ame Chome sang the hudanaus q delightful though
solemn piece, with great expression and which was
succeeded by the Qsa tolls, solo, quartet
and chorus. Mr.. Henry Schmitz conducte.l the
choir, and Jointly with Mr.. Sohst rendered the duet
Quo'aiam with considerable accuracy and sweet.
ness. The CredO was splendid effort, and the de-
ilghtlnf duet ~ IN Spfr7tun,, assigned TO Madame
Chome and Mrs. Grosz was beautifully Interpreted.
AT the 0nertory Rosssni,s o Sdtutdris was rem
dered by Madame Chome with great feeling and
sweetness Beethoven's Sapctus and Agnus Del
were also among the selections. Altogether the
musical arrangements were highly creditable, aud
renected much credit on Mr.. Schultz, director of
the choir. The episte and gospel having been
infoped, the Vent Creator .Spj1uis was sung in a
quartet after which the Rev. John Schneider OF the
hscended the pulpit and preached an eloquent sermon
appropriate TO the occasion.
THE SERMON.
Tne reverend gentleman chose his text from the
book OF Eccesiasfcus, a chapter which he read to
tne END. There was no occasion more suggestive Of
day and OF an occasion than the present. The day
had long been known and recognized as
the anniversary birthday Of St Patrick the
patron saint OF Ireland. St Patrick was
one Of those great apostles destined, before
the world was, to teach mankind-to be an
apostle, which meant one sent before. The saint was
one who had suffered for years the pain and agony
OF slavery. poor boy on the coast OF Brittany In
France be was called to be the apostle Of Ireland
IT did not matter that he was not an Irisbman-not
one to the manner borna abut st. Patrick, not being
originally an Irshman, was nevertheless, like many
VINO succeeded him, more Irish than the Irish them
selves St. Patrick was virtually and In fact
tne patron saint Of Ireland. He came into
Lhe country, and, impelled by the spirit Of the
gospel ne proceeded TO the hill OF Tara, where the
King at the time was holding grand council, and
Inere, In tue presence OF the Druids and heathen
iests OF tne irish nation, proclaimed the faith.
ne was looked upon as visionary and fanatic, and
the whole power OF the old Church was arrayed
against him when 1t was found he was opposed TO
the national superstition. II was a solemn occasion
that they mad met 70 commemorate; 1t was the re-
OF the old Church OF st. Patrick IL had
been lately destroyed by fire; now again IL was
raised, In more magn6cence and In more beauty
by the Aid OF the Divine Master who Ionfa