The union Democrat. [volume] (Sonora, Calif.) 1854-1946, 1871-04-01
WHY ARE WE ASSEMBLED HERE?

Why that procession that few moments
ago wendell its creditable way along our
streets? Why this green regalia upon the
men, and these green ribbons and decorations
uron the women? Why these inspiring ma
tional airs, making the old celtic blood in our
veins rise almost to boiling heat and why
are we finally gathered here in this hall, and
why am now addressing you? You answer,
this is ST. Patrick's day-the day consecrat.
ed to the honor and veneration of Ireland g
National APOSTLE. But he is a Saint of the
Church. We have already, as far Is our linn
tied opportunities would permit endeavored
within that holy edifce. which holds him up
to our venerat;on. to honor his name with all
the ceremonies prescribed for such an occa-
sion. His pan giric has been most elo-
quentlv pronounced by your Rev. Pastor, a
glowing tribute paid to the fidelity of the
| Irish race. to the faith which the holy APOSTLE
| brought them. and we all were most earnest
" exhorted as far as the circumstances of our
lives would permit. to follow his exalted ex-
| ample. But al! this is over We have left
| the church. This procession, this regaIia.
these green ribbons. these emerald banners,
this national music has nothing to do with
the honoring of an Apostle of the church.
This meeting here is not directly to do honor
to his name, nor am before you to make an
attempt at preaching his pahegyric. Then
WHAT DO THESE SECONDARY EXERCISES MEAN
will tell you. They are in honor of our
native land. This is our national holiday.
But why our national holiday What is
there in connection with this dav to make it
our national holiday The answer to that
question nv friends. in true celtic STYLE is
Itb, 6,
Of better. 1t was necessary that we should
have some day in the year consecrated to our
native handsome dav, upon which we would
come forth to proclaim to the world that we
we're still nation-,bat we had country
some dav. upon which to nut in our profess;
against the usurpat;on of Great Britain-and
some day upon which publicly and unitedly
to record our own. that we would continue
to protest until opportunity would permit US
to back, that protest nv deeds, and enable US
to crown thuse deeds with triumph Time
most appropriately has selected ST. Patrick s
Day for that purpose. 1t has been dedicated
to that secondary purpose since time imme-
mortal. and will continue to be so dedicated
until perhaps Ireland's own Congress shall
give 10 her her own "Dav Of Independence. !"
and even then NAV Providence so ordan 1t.
l1rh of March 81 that the PRAYERS of thanks
giving for the blessing Of Christianity may
ascend 10 Heaven with tie peans of ioy for a
redeemed people. Now | believe we may
| form some satisfactory notion of
WHY WE ARE HERE.
It is told in few words. very few words
Let me have no circumlocntioh about it. We
are here then, to protest in connection with
our fellow countrymen all over the world
against English rule in Ireland, to VOW with
them that We shall keep The struggle for her
| freedom up. until the breath has left our bod
les. should success not previously crown our
efforts. and then. among our last iniuncfions,
so transmit that struggle to our descendants.
believing in those Oft quoted words of the
poet,
ssrreeioms ha.tle once heruu.
R4qnes:hei from bleeding 10 son,
Though bSt5ed az I Is
GENTLEMEN ARE roc READY FOR TIE QUESTION ?
Are You ready to make tia, VOW. Under
stand it. 1t not for the freedom Of religion
! /, is not for the freedom of the press. Ii is
not for the dissolution of the Union. but it is
/ f,r all Of ,haSa snmmed nm in tha sim nle