The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-03-18
~. patrick's Dny.

There was no unusual demonstration
Yesterday in honor Of this day, the OBJ
,eryance Of which is so sacred to all IRISH
men.
AT 10 o'clock in the morning the sons
and daughters OF Erin assembled ut ii.
Peters Cathedral for the purpose OF at
tending the religious services incident 10
the festival: but that sacred editicc dld
not present the crowded appearance OF
former years. many empty pews and vacant
seats being visible. The Catholic Beneil-
cial Society was the only organization
present in regalia.
Solemn High Mass was celebrated by
Rev. Father Doherty, OF st. Patrick :
church. Rev. Father Ilanley acting a. dea-
con and Rev. Dr. O'Connell as Sub-deacon.
After the Gospel, Right Rev. Bishop
Keane asceuded the pulpit and delivered
chaste and eloquent Grafton on the life ana
labors OF Erin's great apostle. lie paid a
hish tribute to the children OF st. Patrick
! in the faith. and dwelt particularly on their
adherence TO the contract made between
them and 81. Patrick when they embraced
the GOSPEL he taught. For centuries, he
said. they have kept that faith, and while
then sister isle has acquired possessions Oh
which the "sun never sets" yet she mac
abandoned the faith OF her Apostle 1t
| Augu.tine. ireland, the Ecce Homo o.
nations. has never abandoned the ialtl
brought her by her great apostle
81 Patrick, but. on the contrary, she has
ever remained true, and thus won for her
self the glorious name OF the "lsland o
Saints.- Her great King Brian Borll re
ceiyed his crown OF martyrdom at the bat
tie OF Clontari, while, crucifix in hand
he was thanking God for his victory oyel
the Danes. O'Neil and ODonnell, too
laid down their lives at the throne OF Peter
and their remains are laid to rest in tn
Eternal City. Further on Otonnell re
ceived his crown on his way to Rome, ai'
his oreot heart is buried there, while hi
body rests in Ireland. Her children nav
carried the faith OF their patron SAINT L
the four corners OF the earth, and they ar
thus fulfilling his prayer that they (the Irish
should be Gods chosen people:
priestly race among the nations OF TIN
earth" -
Upon first ascending the pulpit tn
Bishop expressed much regret nj seeing -
many empty places before HIM. lie nope'
the good old days OF yore we're not TO D
cIossed among the things OF the past, whcl
flr t.lncuTti W ais NphiN hFN 80
children Of Erin who ilocked to do mono
to the great saint. lie could not and dl'
not wish to believe that the ''blare o
trumpets" and the beating OF drums o
former DAYS were the inducements which al
tracted such gatherings.
The sons OF Erin did not forget the Gus
tomary conviyialty Of the day, and in com
mcmoiation Of the patron saint oi gran
r Old Ireland met in numerous places
7 whereat the memory OF the Shamrock wa
revived and the beauties OF Killarney re
, peated, both IN song and story.
Some thoughtless and silly people, with
, out perhaps full knowledge OF The mean
: ness and smalness Of their conduct, ad
yertised the same by placing upon tell
2 oraph-pole on Main street near the Oh
Stone House an ciiigy intended to repre-
70 sent st. Patrick. All who saw this, wit
: the exception only OF the intensely lSnC
| rant. felt ashamed for the poor silly crei
= tures who rcsorted to such low act "a
: the sake Of amusement.
q The weather during the day was lon
= WAY above the average seen on IT. Patrick
: dav. and gave the good Irish citizens
l Richmond an opportunity OF enloymei
4 rarely seen on similar occasions.