Morning journal and courier., 1882-03-18
St. Patrick s Day.

Fifth Annual Dinner of the Knights of
 the Patron Saint-A Large Attendance -Toasts and speeches.
 The fifth annual dinner of the Knights of St. Patrick was held at the City Hotel, corner of Union and Wooster streets last evening. Owing to the day occurring on Friday the banquet did not occur until midnight. Pre- vious to this time, however, the speeches in response to toasts were made and general good time was indulged in. Among those present was many representative Irish citi- zens, and none were greeted with more cor diality than Rev. Father Fitzpatrick, of St Patricks parish, who is slowly recovering from severe illness.
 The dining room where the festivities oc- cured was gaily decorated with flags, the "Stars and Stripes predominating. On the wall at the head of the table was festooned the American flag in the center being framed photographs of the original members of the order and underneath life size painting of Ireland's patron saint. On the table in front of the presiding officer was placed flower pot containing shamrock in all it's beauty which was started in it's growth by the late Captain Brennan for this annual gathering. At the foot of the table was pot of Irish primrose in full bloom provided by Mrs Harry Flynn for this occasion. The tables were elegantly decorated with flowers.
 When all were seated at the tables Presi- dent J. D. Plunlzett, made an eloquent speech of welcome in which he referred to the day, the virtues of St. Patrick, the hope of Ire- land and the glory of the United States re- public.
 To the first toast, ''The day we celebrate" J. J. Sweeney responded, and spoke in substance as follows: We meet here tonight around this festive board, not only to commemorate the memory of the great saint who lifted the veil from the forces of our fathers and pointed out to them the road to immortal life in 8 brighter sphere, but we meet in communion with the Irish blood in all parts of the habitable globe to renew our pledges of love to that dear old land and register our condemnation of the policy of the perfdious government that has held her in chains for so many years.
 The speaker then referred to the history of St. Patrick, who went to Ireland in the fourth century and explained to Ireland's sons the doctrine of the blessed Trinity and convert ed all Ireland to Christianity.
 In closing the speaker said We'll may we feel that the harvest day is close at hand when the epitaph of Ireland's most noble martyr will be written not alone on lofty daWning annals of 8 regenerated Ireland
 Other toasts were responded to as follows:
 .The United states"-" 'Tis mightiest in the mghtiest M: Dillon.
 'Ireland"-'To have and to hold till death do us part."-Dr. Creuin.
 "The State of Connecticut."-T J. Fox
 Mir. Fox, in responding, made very elo- quent and patriotic speech. He spoke in substance as follows:
 Brother Knights, no more honored could I be in any way than thus trying to do honor to our dear little State, though small in size, yet rich in everything that makes a State large and great. With her noble line of statesmen and soldiers and scholars that no other State in the galaxy of this confederacy of States can boast of, feel proud in being one of her adopted sons, and ever shall raise my voice in her behalf so long as life is in me. We can, with patriotic Irish hearts, bless thee, Connecticut, us the home of free dom and liberty for all
 t'The Shamrock'-s'NTay the strength of it's vine bind us together while it's verdure lasts. .H. J. Rey holds.
 ''The City of New Haven"-E. Mccarthy.
 The Pioneers Of Our Race in New Haven"-P. Doyle.
 MT. Doyle referred to the advent of the Irish to New Haven about 1880, the estab- lishment of & church three years later, and the progress that had been made since that time by this people, not only in this city, but throughout the State.
 ssThe Bar"-"Illustrious In the past, may the fu- ture be as progr+ ssiyo."-C. T. Driscol.
 ''The Knights of St. Patrtck''-''May dscordant jar ev-r arise to separate us "-Francis Donnelly.
 'The Medical Profession"-"In the front ranks found the sons of rin"-Dr. O'Connor.
 1.-The Poet and Poetry of Ireland"-''The voice of our people in cadence sweet."-Wm. M. Geary.
 MT. Geary said that this was theme that demanded the finest rhetoric, the grandest sentiment. Irelands poetry is Ireland's his tory. Her words of tenderness and pathos are words of defiance and became her words of love and hope, which are recorded in the history of her joys and sorrows. The ad- dress of Mir. Geary was listened to with much interest.
 '"The Iadies"-P Creegan.
 "Our National Guard"J. H. Keefe
 ''The Press"-W. W. Parsons.
 All of these were responded to in a very appropriate manner, concise and to the point.
 The banquet was gotten up in Landlord Flynn's best style and included several courses, all placed on the tables in splendid shape. It was certainly one of the most en- joyable banquets ever participated in by this society
 The Third division, Ancient Order of Hibernians, held a social occasion in Clan-n Gael hall last evening. There were speeches, songs and dancing, and general good time was enjoyed by all present.
 At St. Patrick's church yesterday solemn high mass was sung in honor of Irelands patron saint. Father Briscoe was celebrant, with Fathers Haggerty and Lancaster dea- con and subdeacon. Father Lancaster spoke forcibly and eloquently of St. Patrick's mis- sion and its results.
 ,''Eileen Oge" was given at Peck's Grand Opera House to very large audience by dramatic company of home talent under the auspices of St. Joseph's Y. M. T. A. & Liter ary society. The performance was for the benefit of St. Mary's church and was well given for amateurs and highly satisfactory After the show the St. Joseph's society en- tertained about fifty couples from Meriden with dinner and sociable at Loomis' Temple of Music.