The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-03-18

Once a year our citizens OF Irish birth and
descent declire holiday, and leave their
homes and business pursuits to DO honor to-
their patron saint, and 10 enjoy brief ses.7
son of national gloriication. Il generally
happens that the weather Is cold and bluster-
ing. but It never chills the hearts or dampens
the ardor Of those who have determined to
take part in the celebration. They come
forth with their bands Of music, waving
plumes aud badges of green, and flying BAN
ners, ana defy the raw wind, and enjoy
| themselves just as il the sun we're smiling
upor, them. They are no falr-weather friends,
but earnest lovers of st. Patrick and old Ire
| land. who rather rejoice when they have OPP
portunity to overcome difficulties that may
stand In their way. 10 g@,,@st
Yesterday was but sample of other st.
Patrick's days as they have been witnessed
10 Richmond. Occasionally there was q
stray streak of sunshine, but 1t soon got
lonesome, and retired and left the earth
under the shadow Of the clouds. But the
sons, of Erin were abroad at an early hour
Kin high spirits and good clothes, and adorned
with the insignia and regalia OF their respec-
| tive societies. [.t1f I
The societies were formed on Broad street
| in front Of the City Hall under command Of
Chief Marshal Frank j. Reilly, who was
assisted by numerous mounted aids and ad.
jutaats. The line was formed with de-
tachment of police and band of music at
! the head of it and band Of music about the
centre Of 1t. .sg;i1s-t! 80
| The following organizations were present
| with full! ranks Catholic Total Abstinence
| Society, Catholic Beneficial Society, Hiber.
nIan Society, st. Aloysius Society, the Boys
| Society, st. Joseph's Society, St. Benedictus
Society. St. Bonifacius Society, McGill Ly.
ceum Society, Ancient Order of Hibernians.
The splendid banner Of the Ancient Order
OF Hibernians, attached to q: large frame,
was carried ia a wagon handsomely deco
rated with flags and drawn by four white
horses. .&i q
Rev. Father Hand, of Charlotte. N. c..
the orator of the day Rev. Father Kelly, or
ST. Patrick's church; and Mayor Kelley, oc-
cupied carriage, which was placed in q
prominent position in the line. g..,s.s
The route was up Broad to Sixth, down
| Sixth to the Cathedral. At the Cathedral
Right Rev. Bishop Gibbons celebrated pom
ti6cal high-mass, with Rev. Father 'Janssens
as assistant priest Father Handley, deacon;
Father Moore, sub b.deacoD; Rev. Father
Hand and Professor j. B. Tabb, deacons of
honor; and Mr.. James O'FarreH, master of
ceremonies. The choir, assisted by Mr..
Donaldson, tenor, rendered Coleman's mass
| MVeni Creator,"- by e. Spoth :; 20, Gloriosa
Demina," by Lam bilotte sand hymn to St.
Patrick, in fine style. /
The oration, delivered by Rev. Father
Hand, was pleasing aud able effort. DE
| began with the words taken from the 44th
chapter of the book Of Ecclesiaslicus: "Let
| us now praise men of renown, for though
| their bodies are in peace, yet their names
live unto generation aud generation" The
contemplation of these words, said he,
brought feelings of emotion and joy on that
sacred day TO the children Of the Emerald
Isle.
| He then paid beautiful tribute to the
Irish character, aud said that no class OF peo-
pie were more wrapt up in and more jealous
| to guard the sacred honor of their Church.
| The7 were there then TO add one more to the
long train Of anniversaries to the great
| patron of Jreland-he who fourteen centu'
ries ago had planted upon the Emerald Isle
that shamrock which was the true and ut
emblem of the triune God. Just as Ameri-
can citizens could hold up for models OF he
roism and honor a Washington, Lee, or q
Jackson, SO they, as Irisbmen, honored and
revered their coautry's hero ana SAINT, 81.
| Patrick.
1
and fruits that accrued from the labors OF
the Saint; that be had labored with untiripg
zeal, and bad the happiness before bis death
to see the religion of Christ firmly estab.
Iished in the land of Ireland. The orator
spoke of the fruit Of St. Patrick's labor In
| the character of the men Ireland had fur.
nisbed to the world. In this country they
are found occupying positions with honor
to themselves and their country from the
| highest to the lowest walks in society. This
| country, from its day Of savageness to Its
present state of prosperity, owed, be declared,
not little to the honest sweat OF Inc lrlsn'
man.
| or their instruuentality In the cause OF
religion be dwelt at some length, and in con-
clusion besought bis hearers to love, cherish,
and defend their Church and those princl-
pies of rectitude which their faith taught
them that if they did this, through the In
tercession of st. Patrick, God would enable
them to work out their salvation.
Il At the conclusion of the ceremonies the
Bishop said that he could not refrain from
congratulatipg the members Of the process.
sion upon their appearance, and giving them
his blessing, which he did from his heart.
Upon leaving the Cathedral the procession
followed the line of march published for
several uhys III tuC DSoputCRs 4uC AiSuiy
colored regala Of the societies and spirited
national airs played by the bands attracted
large crowds that blocked up the sidewalks
at many points.
| About 2 O'Clock the procession entered
the Capitol Square at the Ninth-street gate.
The Sepate had little while before adjourn.
ed. Most of the members had located Them
selves at eligible points on the porsicos and
Suusle to see the visitors. Members OF The
house were rapidly leaving their seats, when
Mir. Popham said Mr. Speaker, st. Pat
rick Is advancing move that recess De
taker." Agreed TO. So The House followed
the immemorial usage, and the members
joined the senator's on the Capitol Square.
The procession moved down the grand
avenue to the Executive mansion, and out
of the mansion grounds BY the Capitol.
street gate. The Governor. smiling and
pleased, stood on the porch Of his residence
and reviewed the line. The members OF
each society as they came up uncovered their
| heads and cheered him. He acknowledged
the compliments by graceful bows.
At the City Hall the societies were formed
| 10 close columns, and Mayor KELLEY, standing
up in bis carriage, congratulated bis friends
and countr;men on their fine appearance and
upon the success of the celebration. The
| ignorant, or malicious, or the thought.
less, might sneer at their observance OF
| St. Patrick's day Iss sentiment, but
q sentiment is to people what
honor is to man. And honor Is to man
a fountain OF life, and hope, and effort, which
1 neither time, temptation, nor adversely can
uuencb out of whose waters, 10 every eX'