Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-03-17
TIE SAINT OF THE "OULD sOD.Y
How sc. PatEiek'R Anniversary was
and will bs Celebrated tn Hemphis
-fhs wearing OF the Green, Egc.

-
How sc. PatEiek'E Anniversary was
and viii bs Celebrated In EIemphis
The Wearing OF the Green, Fac.
To-day is the anniversary of 81.
Patrick, q gentleman from Gaul, WAC
converted the. ancient Irish to Christi
aEity from Draidism aud heathenism
many hundreds Of years ago, is tradi-
ton and history Say truly. The 18th Of
March of each year has been put down
as the anniversary Of the old evangelist
who has been canonized long ago, and is
in consequence duly celebrated in a re-
ligious and civic manner by the sons
aud daughters OF the Emerald Isle Of the
ocean. The colony composed Of Irish
residents in this city has not been and is
not unmindfal Of this ancient custom.
To-day being the anniversary, a process.
sion was formed and moved along the
principal streets and out to st. Patrick's
church, where religious services we're
held and an eulogy delivered upon the
life and death of the great old saint.
The procession was quite large, and
moved down Main street in the following
order:
Marshal and Aids,
Music,
Knights OF Innisfail.
H,bernian Mutual Relief Association,
Music,
Father Matthew'S Temperance Society
Other associations on foot,
Participants 10 carriages.
The tire foil clover called the shamrock
not growing to perfection in this land Q
liberty, artificial s-hamrooks had to b.
improvised for the occasion, and thesl
we're worn By our Irish fellow citizen.
who delight in "ae4riDg Of the green
upon all occasions, green being th'
national color OF the denationalized pes
pie. OLe well known Irish citizen to da.
triumphantly exhibited a real shamroc.
grown from the imported Irish sham
rock, and it created considerable entbusi
ssm among bis brethren, The curiou
custom called drowning the shamrock
was INDUCED in by a few. A hot Iris.
whisky punch is made and a sprig @
shamrock is placed thsrein, and the
the worshipers at the shrines of BaC
chus aud st. Patrick, Heatheuism an
Christianity, touch glasses and drink
down as they wish each other a long lii
aud a happy one.
Shakespeare says we are the slaves q
custom aud again, with reference t
the habit Of drinking to excess, 'it is
custom more hoDorod in the breach tina
toe Observance" out so long as th
world lasts annivt ssries will be cell
brated in some manner and customs wi
hold their sway. The English love S
George, the French st. James and S
Michael, the Irish 81. Patrick; indeet
there are but few Christian nations thI
have not a patron saint. Even the pc
: pie of the United States have theirs-S
Mammon but George Washington is {
o good as the best of them, although tn
proper observance Of his anniversary hi
D fallen somewhat into lorgetiulness. W
e have lot OF latter-day saints in til
Z country, but neither this nor a future gei
Il GRAFTON will rise up and call the.
blessed. Tonight the Knights Of Inni
fail will give q social reunion at the
d hall, No. 223 second street, and althouq
St. Patrick's day may be danced ava
d the recoOlections Of its celebration wi
n live green as the shamrock in the mint
n and hearts OF its observers.