The union Democrat., 1870-03-26

pastor of Sonora. The sermon was preached
by the Rev. Pastor. / regret very much that
this limited communication will not permit
me to give you an extended synopsis of it.
The drift of the Rev. preachers discourse was
to show how through all trials and persecu-
tions the people had clung to the faith which
they had received from the hands of the ven-
Grated Saint whom they honored that day. and
! in a most effective and mastsrly manner in
deed did he handle the theme. The mass
sung was Peters. and was rendered in style
suitine the grand occasion. The feature of
the singing was, however. the hymn of "Hail
Glorious APOSTLE" rendered in alternate
verse by the children of St. AIMS School. and
some powerful and extremely sweet female
voice. When the chorus came. and all the
children joined the walls of st. AIMS actual
ly rang again.
EXERCISES IN THE HALL.
After marching through the town again.
all proceeded to the hall, where the exercises
were both varied and extended This was
quite an agreeable surprise to the audience,
who expected nothing more than the usual
oration.
The first in the order OF exercises were dec
lamations by pupils of St. AIMS School, al.
terna.ed with songs. The selections both of
songs and pieces were highly appropriate to
the occasion, and delivered in q most credit
able manner. One, an extract from Emmet's
last speech, brought tears from many present,
so etfectually was it rected.
After the declarations had concluded, Mr..
Farley was introduced and delivered the ora
ton. That gentleman has made some strange
resolution about never giving any Grafton to
the press for publication so therefore we are
unable to send it to you; and of course it
wcald be absurd to attempt in few lines to
give synopsis of that, which occupied over
an hour in delivery. All we will say, is that
it seemed to highly please the people, as they
bestowed wraps attention upon it from begin
ming to end. think that is about the best
ompliment | pay it.
the oratior was followed by song. "The
wearing of the Green" rendered in beautiful
style by the children of ST. AIMS School.
Upon its conclusion, Father Spelman being
loudly called for, came forward and said
That it was with much difidence that he
came before them. for how could it be other
wise. considering that he was but fresh ar
rival from the wild hills of Conamara Much
laughter. Yet he was glad to fnd his coun-
trymen here as patriotic and enthusiastic as
upon Lis own native hills. When about to
start for the New World, no wcs led to be-
lieve that he would meet none here but
goateed men with long lantern jaws but
what was his surprise when landing on the
wharf at New York. gentleman with astrong
Cork accent wished to- take care of his luggage
Al Il 81.
people on his tongue wanted to take it from
him; and that when he went to the hotel all
the help, as they styled them there, were rep
resentatives from every county in Ireland
and the proprietor himself, from his own
neghborhood; so that it appeared that those,
whom he was led to believe, to use a phrase
which seemed to him to. be very popular, were
no where, seemed to be every where; and
here they were. too, among the foothills of
the Sierra Nevada mountains, celebrating
this day in such manner as almost to make
him forget that he had left his own native
country at all. Tho gentleman sat down
amid much applause and good humor.
Rev. Father McNaboe was now called for
by the audience and being at last forced to
the stand, said: That since he should say
few words, ne was glad to find himself in
all she treason that he pleased here. lie had
nothing to fear from the minions Of British
power. lie loved his native land as we'll as
any of them. and would demand its independ-
ence as resolutely as any of them. He hon.
ored all the heroes that were gone 1t should
not be thought that because those of his own
creed preponderated among the population of
Ireland that therefore their admiration was
1flna fN ofrIh nF f~s IL.
they honored them all. They had a Grattan.
Curran, an Emmet. a Fitzgerald. whom
they placed side by side in their hearts with
those protesting the same religion as them
selves. The exercises in the hall now con-
cluded with the song of Sogarth Aroon. !.
rendered in beautiful style by the children.
THE DINNER
came off Immediately after the conclusion of
exercises in the hall. Seventy-eight guests
sat down together, which was indeed no trif-
ing number. The substantial portion Of the
repast being dispatched
THE FIRST TOAST
was read BY the President "Our native
land-may her memory be ever fresh in our
hearts, and our longing for her freedom soon
be realized" This was responded to by Mr..
Donneily, of Sonora. He commenced by
quoting those expressive words of Scott,
''Rreathes there the man with soul dead
Who never TO himself hath said,
Thls Is my own my native land
What memories does not the mention OF
ones native land awaken? Who is not car
ried back to the scenes of bis childhood where
he spent his youthful innocent days. around
which the tenderest chords of bis heart are
twined. 1t is the place of our true nome.
Other homes in after life may be made, but