Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-03-18
LOCAL NEWS.

ST. PATRICKS NIGHT-FATHER FITZPAT-
R1cK's SERMON -KNIGHTs OF ST. PATRICK S
SocI.gI,E-Y esterday wac duly celebrated 10
onr city by our Irish fellow-ctlzens, and to
their credit we can say that never has it been
celebrated iu more proper or becoming man
npr At seven o'clock last night the members
of the Catholic Beneficial Society and the
KNIGHTS Of St. Patrick met al their respective
halls and proceeded 10 body to St. Mary 8
Church. to hear tie address for the day deliver
I'd by Father Fitzpatrick, Of the Jesuit order.
The Church was filled to repletion, and the
address, which lasted about one hour, was heard
throughout with marked atteution. The Rev.
preacher paid high tribute to the Irish peo-
nile. who, he said: have suffered for centuries
FROM the oppression Spoiatioo aud tyranny of
ENGLAND, not so much from the fact that they
we're Irish, but because of their steadtast ad-
herence to the faith given to them by their glo.
rious apostle, ST. Patrick. They have, be said,
through sunshine and shadow, ever been faith
full children of the Church, and the celebration
of this day was marked by an UNUSUAL display
of religion aud patriotism the world over Let
them be faithful, he said, to their God and
religion, and time would recompense them for
their devotion and patriotism; their cause was
q good one, aud their prayers and suppca!ions
Justice, aud Ireaod will, at 90 distant day, take
her stand mid the: nations of the EARTH
After services the societies returned to the
hall of me Knishts, where the feast of reason
aud flow OF soul was enjoyed till late last night.
Several toastswere read by MIR. j. Lanuon and
responded to IN glowing words. In response
to Woman, MIR. Reddy, of Richmond, paid
high tribute to the lovely creature, aud if we
are to Judge from his speech, ne is very de-
vout worshipper at her shrine. Col. klgour
made very elcQuent speech 10 response to
ireland and Virginia, aud in words that burn
he repeated the great deeds OF lrelaud's sous,
who occupy position second to none In the
catalogue of the benetactors Of the world; her
iurists, statesmen, orators, patriots, writer's,
philosophers and sages. he said, I'LL a nch III
the world 5 history, which 10 worthier claimants
can aspire to. The Colonel was frequently in
terrupted by thuDdcrs of applause, and tor the
time We thought him an lrshmau, 50 carried
away was he by his subject aud the day of uni
versa joy. Rome, he said, had her Cicero,
Greece her Demosthenes, but Ireland her
O'Conue, mau who rivaed the one 10 clas
sic cloouence and surpassed the other 10 patri
otto fire. The Colouel in his usual happy style
did honor TO himself, aud, DO doubt, every
Irishman present was more than proud OF him.
Several Songs were sung, but we were par
tcularIy struck by the very appropriate way 20
which MIR. P f. German rendered the "Old
Leather Brooches.
THUS was passed 81. Patrick's Day, ever dear
to the patriotic heart Of the lrishman, and
wherever he is GU this day, he thinks with fer
vor of the land OF Erin, aud prayers assend to
the Most High for her deliverauce. May God
grant that the epitaph Of her immaculate pa:
triot will soon be written, and that her sous and
DAUGHTERS will return to happy land TO ind
happiness and contentment IN the Island OF
Saints and Heroes.