Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-02-17
The Celebration of ST. Pa,rick,s Day.

An duJOuEned. meeting OF the washington
Irish Catholic Societies was held yesterday
afternoon IN the lecture room Of Carroll Hail.
70 consider what measures are necessary to en-
sure the proper celebration of -. Patrick;s day,
tie Eth Of March. Owing TO the brief inter al
since the last meetlng, and the indefinite under
standing with regard TO the character of the
proposed celebration, hat few societies were
represented, and therefore the business dis
posed OF was OF a very meager character. Mr..
j. J. Kane, OF Georsetown, was continued as
chairman, bu: Mr.. N. &. Ryan declining TO re.
sumo the duties of secretary, on notion Mr.
KenneaTly was chosen TO fill that pos ton
Reports of the Committee on Invitations be-
ing In order, Mr.. Curry, the chairman, stated
that he had correspondent with the Hiberuian
and Immaculate Conception societies, but from
neither had received any official response
Dr. Walsh, of 81. Peters Temperance Soci-
ETY., presented credentials of himself and COL
leagues as delegates therefrom, with instruc-
ton TO cooperate in whatever proceedings
M ht take place.
Delegates were also present from 81. Domi
nlehs 1t. Aloyslus, and two GeorgetO VIII soci-
cites.
Mr.. Doner, from the Committee on Pro-
gramIne- submI!ted plan OF the route 70 be
marched over by the procession, which was
read and offered for discussion.
DT. Walsh objected to its endorsement, BE-
eanse he did no. think it would be possible for
so great distance as the programme embraced
10 be travelled over within the time conternpla-
t"d-fIom two O'Clock TIL five. Besides, the
special character of the celebration had not
lk-
10 which he belonged understood il, il was de-
signed 10 be exclusively temperance more time
was necessary 10 make arrangements therefor.
II we counted without our host, and the Cath
Ollie temperance societies made maagre dis
play, he feared the effect upon the cause would
be deleterious and weakening
The Chair replied that il was net coEtempla-
ted 20 confne the celebration To the TEMPERANCE
orueI. Other Catholic societies were expected
10 Cooperate. He agreed with DIR. Walsh that
IL was important. in city where there We're so
rs IN ash peyrf,x. hot
be a full turn out.
DR.. Walsh expressed his qualification at be-
ing posted upon the subject. Believing, how
ever. with Smith OBrien. that Iiauor was the
only drawback to the Irish in this country be-
ing our best citizens, he was anxious that the
temperance men should be the prominent feat-
ure In the celebration. His Society had no
sacrifices to make. and would cheerfully acoui-
esCe IN whatever measures were decided upon
Many persons were disposed to decry the fem
perance cause; but such only showed their fool
lshness. For himself he was free to say thai
he had never known what it was to enloy life
until be had become tetotaller.
Mr.. n. G. Ryan inquired whether the post of
honor IN the procession had been assigned to
the oldest society,"
The chair replied that ST. Dominicks was
the first society mentioned on the list
Mr.. kennearly opposed action upon the pro-
gramme until it was ascertaned what could be
done TO secure a creditable celebration. and
moved that the delegates present report what
members could be relied upon from the oc.eties
they varIously represented.
Mr.. Doner thoughtit useless TO press such
a motion, for not ene-fif.h of the Catholic Soc
cites IN the city were represented.
4Dr. Walsh would prefer pOstponement OF
The members OF st. Peters Temperance Society
10 which he belonged, had no sacrifices TO
make and would Cooperate with other Catholic
societies whose members Were not teetotallers
Because all men Were not temperate, il was no
reason why they should not be as good as those
who We're. He hoped the meeting would
adjourn.
The Chair did not think it expedient TO con-
fine the celebration TO the temper ance societies
Many years ago, Father o. Coole's Temperance
ASSOCIATION numbered over twelve hundred
members, and when they turned out. il required
two or three bands of music to be EMPLOYED
now, all the Catholic temperance societies i'm
Washington combined could not count half that
number.
Mr.. Ryan hoped the temperance feature
would be preserved. Should the societies sep
arate, he was free 10 say that the Young Catho-
nc FRIENDS Society OF Georgetown. which he
represented. would not cooperate to any
eXtent-they would not have a dozen persons in
the procession. Let all freshmen who wished
10 do so join in the celebration, but tenn
perance men should go together.
DIR. W alsh endorsed in part the position taken
by Mr. Ryan. The drinking men, he was
sorry TO say, regarded the temperance men
very much like the fable of the fox with his
tail cut of; they thought the temperance party
had IN denying themselves the privilege of
drinking. cut their tails eff and wanted 10 get
ne D. came q temperance man. he thought he
enjoyed great advantage over them
Mr.. Doner moved that the committee
adjourn for two weeks, and that the secret :ry
be instructed To communicate with the various
CATHOLIC parishes in the District and ask them
announce from the pulpits next Sabbath
the TINE OF meeting. and make the request of
Nj Cathohc societies 10 appoint delegates
thSre,o.
SOfITT- ference was here made to Fenianism.
which was followed by symptoms Of commo-
m +af
the meeting.
Mir. Ryan thought if the Fenians were to
have anything TO do with the celebration, it had
better BE- abandoned altogether.
Messrs. Cornell and Myers thought the Fe-
mans the best Irishmen we had: while another
gentleman said he Fenian. but had no
disposition 10 bring them as an association into
the procession.
member moved that the word temperanca
be stricken ont of the celebration. 10 which the
chair replied that that proposition had already
been agreed to.
The question upon adjournment for two
weeks was then put and carried.