Morning journal and courier., 1880-03-18
St. Patriclk's Day.


 called to order by the president, P. McKenna.
 Owing to the day falling on fast day, in ac-
 cordance with the custom of the Catholic
 Church, the supper was postponed until the
 hour of 12 o'clock. Consequently the busi-
 ness meeting and addresses were delivered at
 an earlier hour. Among those who were
 present were B. Reilly, P. Oreegan, City h.
 spector Doyle, Deputy Sheriff Keefe, Regis
 trar J. J. s. Doherty, Captain Maurice F.
 Brennan, M. Herrity, M. Healy, T. J. Fox,
 William O'Keefe, John Reynolds, Patrick Oullom, M. Dillon, Thomas F. McGrail,
 Daniel Healy, John Waddock and many other
 prominent Irish citizens. This was the third
 annual meeting of the Knights. The follow
 ing are the officers of the association Patrick
 McKenna, president; Michael Dillon, vice
 president Maurice F. Brennan, recording secretary; Thomas K. Dunn, financial secre-
 tary; John Reynolds, treasurer; Rev. J. s.
 Fitzpatrick, chaplain; Committee of Arrange ments, Dr. J. J. S. Doherty, Patrick Cullom, Thomas F. McGrail. The members took seats at the tables about 10 o'clock, when P. McKenna, the president, gave the address of welcome as follow:
 The president said: We are assembled
 this evening according to custom to celebrate in quiet way the anniversary of our patron saint. While we miss two of our respected members from our circle since our first annual banquet and have paid the last tribute to their remains, we earnestly hope that our society will not meet for a long time to come such another sad visitation. The memories of the past year and the present have been | fruitful of sorrow to our native land, for with out any fault of hers she has been stricken uuith daughters | starving in the midst of plenty, but not with out helping hand stretched out to save them. America, noble and generous America
 has contributed of it's abundance, has opened the flood gates of her sympathy and made
 many sad heart rejoice by her benevolence and kindness. All honor to the flag of our adopted country. May it's symbol never be forgotten. Were Ireland left to the manage ment of her own resources no country would
 be more capable of supporting it's own popu- lation. Naturally fertile the industry of her sons has made her even in distress the granary of England. Her hardy fishermenif encouraged could find plenty of employment in their vo cation. Her mineral wealth could be readily turned to advantage The tempest-tossed mariner from every cline could find shelter from the ocean storms in her numerous bays and inlets. Brother Knights, while we rejoice at each recurrence of this anniversary which l is celebrated by the sons of Ireland so exten | sively through this vast continent and
  | never shall forget, the land of our birth, and though she is now in the midst of her afhlc- tion, she shall still have sympathy and if necessary repetition of our assistance. Let me thank you, brother Knights, for your at tendance here, and let us welcome those guests who honor by their presence. Trusting and hoping that we may all live to hear better news from the dear old land by the next anniversary of our patron saint, we be- | gin the evenings programme.
 The secretary, M. F. Brennan, read let | ters of regret at their inability to be pres | ent, from the chaplain, Rev. J. s. Fitzpat- rick, and J. c. Cosgrove.
 The dining room where the supper tables | were spread handsomely decorated with flags and bunting tastefully arranged. Mu- ! sic for the occasion was furnished by a vio- lin and harp.
 The first toast of the evening was ''The | Day we Celebrate Though old it is ever fresh and green" In the absence of J. c. \ Cosgrove Thomas E. McGrail was called upon to respond to this toast. He spoke as \ follows: Mir. President and Gentlemen-I | feel somewhat embarrassed to respond to so ! important 8 toast. Everything we see about us puts us in mind of our native land. I hope the day will ever be continued to be | celebrated as of yore tke world over.
 Daniel Gilhuly sang Happy Moments | with acceptance.
 'sThe Knights of St. Patrick. May we
 
 | to nothing but real merit"
 ! T. J. Fox responded. With pride he ac- \ knowledged himself Knight of St. Patrick, ! an order which 1t is recorded was instituted in ! 1793. The speaker alluded graphically to the ! organization of the order. They were sworn ! to protect the weak against the strong. The Knights of New Haven meet annually in 8 | social way. Many think that the Knights ought not to banquet when there is suffering | in the old country. But in this matter I AlS Low1o 1,,krx krSK Kl@co | abroad, we should do our duty to ourselves. hope the Knights will celebrate annually for years to come this day. We should feel that | we should meet annually, that we may draw | ourselves more closely together and in some future day relieve old Ireland from her trou- \ bles. In conclusion he said this order was \ born only three years ago. It was talked of 8 few years before. It was born in this very spot, and our landlord, Harry Flynn has year ! ly catered to our wants, and may he ever con- | t1nue to do so as long as he lives and as long as his name is Harry Flynn. May we con ! tinue to meet and enjoy ourselves as brother
 Knights ought to do. (Applause.)
 Vice President M. Dillon here sang song. 'IreIand; it's wrongs will be lighted" Responded to by M. Fahy, who said he | wished that he could find fitting words to DOT tray the wrongs to which Ireland has been subjected for the past hundreds of years. Ireland is ruled by England with rod of steel, and the land is full of trouble and woe. l Ireland is still unconquered, and is boarding the lion in his den. She has not the right to
 make her own laws, but she is a nation for all that. The speaker alluded to the various movements made from time to time to free Ireland. Can we despair of having the
 wrongs righted? Already strong arms are
 moving with that strong young Irishman, Charles Stewart Parnell, who will lead them to
 victory like hero. (Applause.) ''Connecticut. May she have the casting AI,o, kI.. States" Vice President NJ. Dillon responded
 to this toast. Having lived in the State of Connecticut for the past twenty one yea rs l and shared in her prosperity, if did not | respond and say something in her favor I
 would be ungrateful. Connecticut's industry is mercantile, banking and insurance fields. If should mention her illustrious sons I might say too little of one and too much of
 another. He spoke in high terms of the way in which our American institutions were
 conducted and hoped all would defend them, no matter what State they might be in.
 :'New Haven. Her ports ever open to
 free commercesand trade" Responded to by
 Daniel Healy. He said this is the month of
 March and 8 month of blowing and buster
 ing. I suppose you have called on me to
 blow and buster. In 1840 I first visited
 New Haven. It was one horse town.
 Every inhabitant owned their own house
 and kept their own horse, COW and
 pig. In every house there was loom and
 spinning wheel, and everyone made their own
 clothes they wore on their backs. See the
 contrast now in our churches on Sundays
 when the gentlemen and ladies wear broad
 cloth and silks. In those days there was no broadcloth and silk. The speaker alluded to
 the gradual increase of commerce and the
 growing prosperity of the city. St. Patrick
 was great man, but think he made great
 mistake when in Ireland. He banished the
 toads and frogs and allowed the landlords to
 remain. (Applause.) I hope Parnell will
 turn out second St. Patrick and drive the landlords from Ireland. May the Knights live long and have many banquets, and not have any missing links in their ranks.
 "The Ladies. May the lovers of the fair sex never want means to support and spirit to defend them"
 J. Maloney declined to respond to this toast, and Captain Maurice F. Brennan was called upon to speak for the ladies, but he respect fully declined to make any extended remarks 1