The Portland daily press., 1874-03-18

Street Parade-Services mt Cathedral
and Hall

ST. Patricks Day opened with low heavy
skies and every sign of rain Despite the un-
favorable weather prospect the streets were
crowded with people anxious to witness the
celebration in commemoration of Ireland's tut
e,arv saint. At an early hour, men clad in
uniforms and regalias, chiefly of green, were
seen hurrying to the halls of the Irish associa-
tions At half-past nine the societies formed
in front of their halls and marched to the hall
of the Irish American Relief Association,
where they were drawn up in line by the mar
shall of the day, Capt A. J. Mcmahon, of the
Montgomery Guards. He was assisted by his
Adjutant. Lieut.. Peter S. Doyle. and aides,
Lieut.. j. FL. Larkin, of the Sheridan Cadets,
Marshal John j. Sheehan of the l. A. r. A.,
and Marshal William Quinn of the Wolfe Tone
Association. The line started on its march at
ten o'clock, platoon of police, under COM
mand of Capt, Black, leading the way. The
police were followed by Chambers Band: then
came the Marshal and his aides, followed by
the Montgomery Guards, with their blue coats
and green plumes, and solderly bearing, num-
bering forty muskets; these Were follow
ed by the Sheridan Cadets in trim marching or
der, thirty-two strong, having pompons of the
prevailing green These companies carried the
stars and stripes. Next in the line was the
Irish American Relief Association, numbering
one hundred and fifty men, wearing their rega-
liza of green and GOLD, and carrying banner,
which bore the harp of Erin upon its field of
emerald green. The Portland Band was next
in line. The Wolfe Tone Association, number
ing fifty-five men, brought up the rear of the
procession, bearing flag, upon which was bla-
zoned the sun-burst. The procession started on
its march down Middle street, the bands play
ing "St. Patrck's Day in the Morning"
wearing of the Green" "Rory o. Moore" and
other Irish national airs, and crowd of Curl
GUS people pressing along the sidewalks The
display was very fine one, end the procession
is thought by many, to have been the best
street procession seen in Portland for years.
The line wound down Middle and India streets
and up to the hall, and thence into Congress
street.
A large concourse of people were in waiting
about City Hall, where the members of the
City Government were stationed to review the
procession as it passed. This ceremony conclud-
ed, the line kept on up town, along the arrang-
ed lire of march. At Danforth street the COM
panies and associations countermarched and
passed in review before the Marshal and his
aides. Lieut. Gately was in command of the
Guards, Capt. Somers of the Cadets, Marshal
Hickey of the I. A. r. A., and Marshal Haley
of the Wolfe Tones.
The line of march was then resumed, and
the procession drew up in front of the AdUerti-
ser office, when Chambers Band played as a
serenade, Heinicke's Andante and Waltz. 1t
then proceeded to the argus and Press offices,
from which were hung the blended banners of
ireland and America. Here the Portland Band
played as serenade, departed Days" This
serenadng of offices is new idea, for which
we are indebted to the Irish societies.
The procession then moved to I. A. r. A.
hall, where it broke up, the Wolfe Tones being
escorted to their hall on India street, by the
Montgomery Guards.
PRESENTATION.
When the Wolfe Tone Association had as
sembled in their hall, the line was formed, and
Miss Mcfarland accompanied by several Young
ladies, stepped forward bearing magn. fcent
national flag which she presented to Marshal
John Haley in the following address:
Mr. President and Members of the Wolfe Tone
A number of your lady friends of the city of
Portland, DESTROYS of rendering to you some
mark of their esteem, have deputed us to pre-
sent you with this Irish flag. We deem this
day-the anniversary of our patron SANTA
most suitable time to make this offering, be-
cause on this day there is not an Irish exile on
the face of the earth who will not offer up to
God a silent prayer for the redemption of our
own loved Emerald Isle from the heel of the
Saxon oppressor.
bear tn emblem to day, side by side with the
Star Spangled Banner, under whose protecting
folds you have found home of perfect free
dom and liberty, any att. mpt at a similar dem
onstration on st. Tatrick's Day, in the land of
your birth. would be the means of depriving
you of your liberty and combining you in TEL
ons cell. We place this flag in your keeping,
trusting to you defend it from dishonor or dis
dain, and hoping that its place will be foremost
should an opportunity offer for the redemption
of our native land. God save Ireland!
Marshal Haley in receiving the flag thanked
the ladies most heartily for the beautiful en-
blem of their country entrusted to his care. He
assured them that if ever occasion offered, the
green banner shomld lead the van in the inde-
pendence of their county, and the harp, SYM
bolically blazoned on its folds, once more be
heard, in joyful strains, through Tara's halls.
Pure and stainless should be its reputation
even, if in the struggle, the sod should be wa
tered with their hearts blood.
AT THE CATHEDRAL.
A special service was held in the morning at
the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
There was very large concourse in attendance
Rev. Father McSweeny CT Rockland, delivered
an eloquent and earnest address on the life and
works of St. Patrick, and his labors in the re-
al
ago. He dwelt upon the purity, strength OF
purpose indomitable viii and earnest labors of
the Saint, and held them up for examples to
the present generation.
Werner's unison mass was sung by the choir,
as was also hymn to st. Patrick, in which
Miss Eden and Messrs. Howard and Coffin sus-
tanned solo parts. Bishop Bacon and clergy were
in attendance in their sacerdotal robes Father
O'Callaghan acting as celebrant. The Arch
Bishop of Toronto, who was present, pronounc-
ed the benediotion.
, THE CHILDREN's CONCERT.
In the evening grand concert was given in
City Hall by the children of the Catholic
schools under the direction of Bishop Bacon
The details of the affair were arranged by the
Sisters of Mercy, to whose untring efforts its
great success may be attributed.
The hall was fairly packed with people,
among whom were many representatives of
Young America anu Young Ireland. Seats,
rising one above the other, were placed across
the platform at the end of the hall, and upon
these were seated thousand children, costum-
ed in white with green sashes. 1t was very
pretty sight. In marked contrast with the
children were the Sisters in the sable robes. To
the left stood the choir boys of the Cathe' raj.
Above all hung the flags Of America and Ire
land. Chambers Band was in attendance.
The programme embraced singing and dra-
| matte recitations. The children acquitted them
selves admirably, and much to the delight of
| the great audience. The exercises closed with
| the singing of the Star Spangled Banner.
1 g al