Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-03-19
ST. PhTRECK's DAY.

ST. PATR1cK's DAY-THE ALDERMAN BE.
NEveLENT SoCIETY-FLAG PRESENTATION
ADDRESS OF BISHOP GIBBoNs.--Ye
being St. Patrick's Day, the event was
| appropriately celebrated by the Hibernian
| Benevolent Society Of this city, being also
the anniversary Of the organization of this
| Association.
| At 9 A. NJ. the members assembled at
Hibernian Hall, where, after ''a Grap of
| the crathur" had been taken all around, the
ceremony of presenting the flag was con-
Quoted. This magnificent gift was pre-
sentea by Mr.. John Dawson, the President
of the Society, and generous donor, in a
few remarks in which he referred to the
occasion as one calculated to arouse glow
of pride and patriotism in the heart Of
every true Irishman. The mother country
of them all was pointed TO with pride Tor
her past history and achievements, and affec-
ton for her in her present suffering. The
flag was then rendered the Association with
the expression of Il heartfelt wish that it
might prove acceptable. It was received
by Major James Reilly, on behalf of the
Society, who, in discharging this proud
duty, made a neat and handsome speech
He, too, referred to Erin and her green
sh ores and memories. and cited her histo-
rlans and poets in proof OF the excellence
to which she had reached before the foot
of the invader desecrated her soil !; her
I
to seek a field for their advancement in
other lands. With feeling and veneration
did he refer t. these, and with gratitude
did he express the Society's acceptance of
the flag, which he promised they would
endeavor ever to retain untarnished, and
with full aud grateful recollection of it's
kind donor. ....-. ..
After this cremony the members fell into
line and marched to St. Thomas Church
Services were there celebrated, after which
an address was delivered to the Society by
Rt. Rev. James Gibbons, Vicar Apostolic
of North Carolina. The address, or SER
mon, had for its text the following verses
of Psalm cxxxv1I &c If I forget thee, o
cunning. II do not remember thee, let
my tongue cleaye to the roof of my mouth"
AS is to be inferred from this text and the
Society to which it was delivered, the ad-
dress had reference to Irishmen away from
their own country, ana an illustration of
their feelings towards their native mother,
in their enforced separation, was APPLY
given in the language Of the Psalnlist.-
Without having taken notes of this ad-
dress, which our space forbade, we do not
feel capacitated to do it that full Justice it
deserves. In common with the large num-
Der present we felt as if we were enjoying a
rare treat. The glories of lreland's his
tory were SO strongly depicted that no one
could fail to admit that these hardy PEG.
pie have cause to be proud Of their nation
allty. 70 the Patron Saint, whose festival
they were then celebrating, the Bishop |
alluded at some length, giving a short |
sketch of his history and his efforts in the |
c7angelization of ireland. To the former |
glory and renown Of this country did he |
refer with feelings of pride, and pointed |
to her historians, poets and warriors, who,
though dead, present living example to
The sons of Erin. As the nursery of the
arts end the educational mother of Europe
in the middle centuries Of the christian era,
that land was held up in, all its grandeur
and importance. Then came the sad al
usion to the woes it had subsequently ex-
when the apple of discord was
,ast among its rulers and through its ovn
1issensions q victory obtained for the [
,nemy lrishmen We're urged to profsby
his example and strive always to main I.
ain unity Of feeling, thought aud action. [,
they were specially exhorted to cling to
be religion for which their fathers suffered
nd endured SO much; to be Industrious, en-
rgetic, enterpriHing. active and Jealous in
heir temporal habits; to cultivate beneyo- j