Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-03-21

lleldliu palIult Salilt, WAS uuiy
observed by the citizens of High
land. A celebration consisting of
an address, toasts and responses,
intermiNed with suitable vocal and
instrumental music, was held at
Marks Hall in the evening. The
hall being filled at about S O'Clock,
the exercises opened by the choir
singing "a Happy Greeting to All. !
After which DR.. Chas. Egan dcliy-
cred in a pleasing though forcible
manner the following address;
LADIES AND GENTLEMAN:-The
occasion Of our meeting here this
evening is to do honor to the mem
ory of the great and glorious apos-
tie of Ireland, st. Patrick"
With feelings of regret we am
nouncc to you the absence Of Gen.
John Lawler-who on account OF
sickness is not with us tonight
who was to respond to the toast,
The Day we Celebrate"
"The day we celebrate is the
anniversary Of the birthday of
st. Patrick, who converted and
elevated pagan and inddel Ireland
to fertile islands of christians,
who have for 1900 years, through
reformations, revolutions, starva
tions and tyranny, kept the faith
of that illustrious saint enshrined
i'll their hearts"
:" 1t is unnecessary to say with
what reverence and love the name
of st. Patrick is received to-day,
not only in our dear native land
over the sea, but in every corner of
the globe III which there is an Irish
Catholic community or where an
Irish heart beats. Fifteen hundred
and six years ago to-day was born
the most illustrious saint that
adorns the pages of history. Though
his cradle was rocked on other soil,
God had written on his brow the
Savior of Ireland, and during a
long life of devotion to a holy cause
he beheld the chains of idolatry
broken. The labor was excessive,
but the spirit Of God nervcd his
sanity heart and strengthened his
body to heroic endurance; and,
dying at the advanced age Of one
hundred and twenty years, he
again beheld faiths rock-founded
temples lifting their domes heaven
ward, proclaiming St. Patrick the
apostle and Ireland is Catholic, and
he left behind him monuments of
virtue that the storms of time nor
political bondage can ever destroy,
The name offs Patrick is indelibly
inscribed on the hearts Of the Irish
people, his deeds shine as bright
ly ON the earth as the stars OF
heaven,-thus to-day throughout
the length and breadth of the civil
lied world the Irish Catholic cele-
bratcs the anniversary Of the birth
day of his patron saint"
As Irishmcn we have no day oi
political jubilee, but we have, thank
God, abetter one, the 18th Of March,
the birthday Of the apostle who
raised us from the yoke of idolatry
to the genial sunshine Of the Divine
Creator"
with hearts flied with these
memories, We come here tonight to
express our admiration and deyo-
tion for the memory Of a saint who
planted Christianity on the soil Of
Ireland For this large and appre-
ciative audience on this, our first
celebration, ! may congratulate and
cordially and most heartily vel
come you all. "
The Harp that once through
Tara Hall was sung BY the choir
and Rev. p X Ryan made very
spirited response 10 the toast, Ire
land. After the singing Of that
patriotic song, America" Mr.. N.
J. Casey responded to The land Of
our adoption" Mr.. Casey eulo-
gized our form Of government and
very forcibly set forthat wholesome