Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-03-13

This being the last Sabbath before the
advent of Saint Patrick's Day, it may not
be alniss to furnish our readers some facts
concerning the same. In the large and
populous cities the various societies
composed Of our Irish citizens unite in OBJ
serving the day as general festival Their
professions are imposing and the exer-
cises pleasing, entertaining and instructive.
The professions and demonstrations on
such occasions are excelled by few exhibit
tons of a similar character during the en-
tire year. The Saint Patrick Festival is
regarded as among the noted anniversaries
of the Catholics, and general exercises OF
one sort or another are kept up from morn
ing till evening, and often are protracted
far into the night. The exercises at the
churches are often as solemn as the street
demonstrations are grand and imposing.
The day and the festival is IN comment
Grafton of Saint Patrick, the traditions OF
whom partake of both the wonderful and
the miraculous. He is recognized as the
Patron Saint of Ireland and was born ac-
cordingly to the best authorities near the
site of Fitzpatrick at the mouth OF the
Clyde, in Scotland in 372, and died in
Ulster in the year AGA. At the age OF 16
he was carried captive to Ireland by band
of marauders, but made his escape after 6
months and reached Scotland. Carried
off a second time and again escaping, he
resolved to become missionary to the
Irish, was ordained in Scotland and after
long preparation was ordained as Bishop.
Having previously, according to some &C
counts visited Gaul and perhaps Italy, he
passed over to his chosen field of labor
about 432 and preached with such extraor-
binary effect that, although not absolutely
the first who introduced Christianity into
that country, he always received the credit
for its general conversion. he baptized
the kings of Dublin and Munster, and the
seven sons of the king of Connaught, with
the greater part their subjects and before
his death had converted almost the whole
Island to the faith.
st. Bernard testiies that he fixed his
Metropolitan See at Armagh, and 1t appears
that he appointed several other bishops,
with whom he held councils to settle the
discipline of the church which he had
planted. In his old age he wrote what is
purported to be his confession" though
| It's authenticity is highly questioned.
An old and popular legend ascribes to
| him the Punishment of all venomous crea-
| lures from the Island by means of his GRO
sier or staff, which it is said was kept for
centuries in Dublin with great veneraton.
From this Patron Saint, then, Saint
| Patrick's Day derives its name. and though
much of the traditional hyperbolism at
taching to it in the earlier centuries has
been dissipated, still, the day as festival,
| is held in high esteem. 1t is generally
observed, too, in most betting
manner. Preparations have been made for
its appropriate celebration here on next
Thursday. A large procession will form
on the Public Square, and march thence to
| the church, where two masters of ceremo-
MES are to be in waiting to receive them,
and to conduct the processionists to their
seats, and after service to return them to
| the door in the order in which they en-
tered. The services will consist of Grand
High Mass and a sermon. The procession
will then go through the public streets in
the following order:
Cavaliers, three abreast, dressed with
Irish cap and green riding shirt
Chief Marshal and two aides.
Band and military.
Maid of Erin, with four attendants, In
carriage
knights on foot, in green sash and TO-
sette.
Hibernian Society.
st. Joseph's Total Abstinence Society.
st. Alysius' Society.
ST. Mary's Orphan Association.
st. Vincent de Paul Society.
Citizens on foot and in Carriages.
In this order the procession will pass
along Cedar, Summer, Church, High, Vine,
Spruce, Broad, Cherry, Market and Union
streets.
The exercises will close with a Grand
SOiree at Masonic Hall in the evening
The County Canvass Appointments.
The candidates for the various coun ty
offices will address their fellow-citizens at
the following times and places:
Louisville depot, Monday night, March
II.
Haslam's Quarry, Tuesday night, March
10.
Chattanooga depot, Wednesday night,
March Is.
Ootton's Drug Store, Thursday night,
March IL.
Breen's Store, Friday night, March 49,
Corner Broad and Market streets, Satur-
day night, March 10.
Brannons Store, North Edgefeld, Mon
day night, March 21
Corner of Fogg and Spruce, Tuesday
night, March %.