The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1874-03-19

1luu VI Hut' ouJ'
ST. PATRIcK's DAY.-Tuesday was the
anniversary Of the birth day Of Ireland's pa
ron saint, aud in accordance with arrange
m cots made by our recently organized Hi
oeroian R lief Association for proper aud
becoming celebration Of the occasion, mag
aifcent banquet was served at the Kaya-
oaugh building, under the auspices of the
society. Punctually at o'clock, P. NJ.
the spacious parlors of Mr.. Kavanaugh, con-
nected by folding doors, we're filed with
the members OF the association and their nu-
merous invited guests An hour spent in
pleasant intercourse aud greetings brought
the summons to supper and the company r i.
paired to the basement where one Of the most
elegant and sumptuous collations was pre-
pared that has ever been set before an ap-
preciative multitude The room was most
tastefully and appropriately decorated
with the various national enbleme and here
and there the typical harp peeped out from
the background If shamrock while green and
gald sh. ne ia mellow and harmoniziug re-
Hi around the wal'.
Tables arranged with the utmost taste and
e feet were literally heaped with ali the del
,caeies Of the season aud brilliantly lighted
~ clusters of wax tapers that glowed and
.cDtillqted among the arhor vit9 and ever
green, like the glitter Of large diamonds on
n emerald field. Lofty porcelain stands
Tiled with tropical fruits and glittering va
es Of celery stood in perfect alignment fan
l. l. J;cho e AL
prepared in the very best style of culinary
,rt. After tie guest had been seated. aud
The murmur of surprise and admiration had
been hushed, the President Of the Associa
non, Mr.. J. J. McMahon, in few most APP
and we'll conceived remarks, vel
..omed the assembled company to the hos
pitalities Of the evening and having closed
amidst much applause, the work Of destruc
ion commenced.
Immediately after the repast, the toasts
we're announced by MIR. John McQuaide, the
Secretary, which were all admirably express
I'd and highly appropriate. Eloquent re-
|ponses, and all. ampromptu, were made BY
Messrs. T. v. Car, s. r. Philips, Mayor
Trout, W. H. Fl. Lynn, Major Mcmahon, W.
q. Sterrett, A. s Mauzy aud R. G. Mayo
After the adjournment Of the company to the
reception rooms, an address was made by
Major McMahon setting forth and explain
ing the object of the Relief Associations
throughout the United States, aud stating
that while they we're designed to embrace
only Catholic citizens, they were not con-
fined exclusively to Irish citizens, but admit.
ted all catholics of whatever nationality. It
is relief association 10 its highest and
bro.dest sense, and its aims are purely phi
lanthropic. designed to assist each other in
times Of distress and restitution. to aid in
the. support of the needy, and sustain the
afflicted. These associations are minor
branches of the General organization and
may exist either separately and indepsn-
leatly or in immediate connection with it,
After the close of the Majors interesting re-
marks. the real arkling..conviviAlity of the
evening began and admirable songs were
sung in inimi'able style by Messrs. Scherer,
McQaaide and Cavanaugh, the latter gentle
nan, who was the all important character Of
he assembly, the sine qua non of the enter
ainnent. having been actually brought away
" et arms rom the supper to add to the
nerriment above. The lmpersonatiou of a GER
ain noted restauroteur OF Richmond by Mr..
Carr was to the very life and convulsed the
The entire evening was one ct
uninterrupted and delightful enjoyment and
ended in the utmost order and decorum The
cordial hospitality of the committee and
members Of this society aud their characters
IS citizens 40 less than the noble object of
heir organization, appeal strongly to the
'ympathy and good will of all benevolent
Minds. To meet with generous and overfo-
wing welcome from an Irish citizen is no
urprise to any one. It is at once the 10.
tict and impulse of the irish heart and we
'uly congratulate ourselves that these char
OF fhe Green island have been
to our western soil to blossom
md bloom here. and bear the benign fruits Of
charity and good fellowship.