The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-03-19
sd. ,PATRICK'S DAY.

Il
cent day, and was most enthusiastically
observed in New Orleans. In all the
churches the religious aspect OF the occa-
sion was manifest in unusual crowds, evil
IDENTITY called together by something more
than ordinary devotion. st. Patrieks
Church was of course the great centre OF
religious observance, Solemn High MASS
being celebrated ut 10 A. NJ. with unasuai
splendor and eclat. But it was evident
that the interest of the day was not only
devotional, it partook also of national
character. With large portion OF our
population genuine holiday was enjoyed,
labors and cares being for the time laid
aside. Every where groups of men, women
and children were visible, "a wearing OF
the green" and decorated with shamrock.
Green Erin was the theme of thought anu
speech with SO many thousands of our citi-
zens that it gave the whole city an air OF
festivity, as though in participation OF their
JOY.
No reasonable man, be he democrat or
monarchist, can find fault with this spirit
Of the Irish people. Though national
feeling, it is in no respect political. at
shows love for Ireland but not allegiance
to any foreign Government. In fact, the
Irishman, speaking in that sense, has no
country and no flag. He does not recog-
nize either in Britain or the British banner.
He comes to a foreign country as a true
and leal subject or citizen, loving his
mother land, but casting his fortunes irrevo-
cably and enthusiastically with the land OF
his adoption.
| How valuable an accession the Irish
population makes to any country 1t Is
almost impossible to estimate. Their en-
ergy is superior to that of any other race,
and shows itself in every department OF
life, material or intellectual. In every
profession, trade and calling throughout
this country, as priest, lawyer, physician
merchant, mechanic or 1aborer, the Irish
man is foand in the foremost rank, not only
in one locality, but everywhere-north
} and south, east and west. Ifyou go North
J you find New England passing from the
hands of the Puritan into those of the
. Celt. If you look South, you need go M
| further than our own city to find the energ!
} and courage Of the Hibernian placing him
under circumstances sometimes very un
8 favorable, among the foremost of his com
A petitors in every pursuit of wealth an
] honor.
True manhood is formed in the school q
. adversely. The Irish race considers itse
y as very unfortunate in the persecution
j. sustained by it at the hands Of the Englis
o for several centuries; yet this was til
TO fort a ne
10 less and Incompatible gladiator, into I'll
worlds arena. 1t is taking possession
all new countries and subjecting them, NJ
to it's flag, but to it's domination. A con
IL paratively small colony at home, Irish EN-
N. grants and their children in many millio
u have spread over the earth and pc
re- sessed the lands. The hardy nurse
ot still struggles with the cold blasts of mi
les fortune, but it's offshoots are transplant
ne into vast and smiling gardens in eve
az cline. Nothing deters the Irish people, n
~ thing represses them Injured to strugg
ax from birth, sporting with strife, rejoici
in opposition, thoy are the second chos
lie people of God, chastened and strengthen
he in his own crucible-the foremost and m
of vigorous race of men now existing.
BUS long as they maintain in adopted col
yes tries the simple virtues of their moth
de- land, SO long will their character ret
it's strength and vigor, and 30 long '
We. they continue to look back on every
~ Patrick's Day, with fondness and vene
+ a. ton, to the beautiful shores of Erin.
den On the occasion of that kind, which
in just passed, besides the general spiri
he remembrance pervading our people OF
uld race, there were features of a special CT
it, acter in the observance. Most promin
pse. among these was
rent THE TURN OUT OF THE HIBERNIANs
one, A. o,.,oo,, ,,ro.;se,1 tho vari
rthy ~, I,:le.;.. 9on.ro,.n.
ava Mutual Aid Associations, consisting
nsus Numbers One, Two, Three, Four, Five
one Six, with their invited guests, st. Mich'
IN of Society and the Tyler Rifles (Compar
end of the T,ouisiaua Lepionl. formed in