The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1885-02-12
nURNs's BInrHDAY ANNIVERSARY

Was bully honorei by scotchmen and
their friends the world over during last
week. The natal date falling on Sun
day the celebrations were observed on
some other evening. We acknowledge
the receipt Of papers from Springfield,
Missouri, giving a full and detailed ac'
count OF the time had on the evening Of
the Goth In that goodly city. The chief
who presided was brother John Nc
GregOr OF that town, whose Introductory
remarks are given In the Daily Herald,
as are the happy remarks OF wei !ome by
Mayor Walker, from which we extract
as follows:
Twelve months ago the first anniver-
sary OF the birthday Of Burns was cele
brated In this city, and, as you all know.
the preparations were hnrriedly made
and some disappointments were en-
c0untered on the part OF the manage
ment. Still, on the whole, IL passed of
pleasantly and successfully. To some
who were present on tho occasion, the
features OF the entertainment were
rather novel. AT that festive board the
Rotations OF the glorles Of Scotland,
the wealth Of l4ong and story bequeathed
by Burns and Scott and the halo OF 70.
nance which they have thrown over
that country, were given with 30 much
zest and efficacy and the admiration
which they evoked stirred up even the
smallest drop Of Scotch blood which
had stagnated In the veins OF many by
reason OF the countless generations thai
have llnked them TO the land OF cakes
We have since heard of McWatsona,
McMurrays and McNolands, In fact the
prefix OF Nc, has become quite popular
In Springfield. This Ia all proper where
the name denotes a Celtic origin az In
the latter two, but | am inclined 10
think that Watson smacks too much Of
the Saxon.
This love OF appropriating the Scotch
prefix IL due, | presume, In part TO the
antiquity OF the name OF McGregOr, one
OF whom, II 10 said, that upon once hear.
Ing this questioned by q Campbell who
claimed that his ancestors occupied
places In Noah's ark, exclaimed "the
McGreg0rs had at that time boats
Of their own" An Irishman within
hearing distance OF these remarks de-
termined to put In a word for Ireland,
stepped up and said, Gentlemen, you
may talk az you please about Scotland
and McGregor, the land OF Cakes 10 no
greater than the land OF Saints aud
McGregor was nothing but a bush
whacker. Can't you talk about Bruce
aud Wallacep They were lighters, but
after oil what were they compared with
the men that Ireland turned out. There
Is Wellington. OF England; Mcmahon, OF
France; 0'D0nnell, OF Spain, and Carl
baldl, OF Italy, whose name was Jerry
Baldwin and not Garibaldi. They were
all Irlshmen,"
30 II Ia that the love OF claiming rela.
tionahip 10 distinguished men 10 not
c0Dfned TO any particular race. In
Springfield the name Of McGregor Is de-.
servedly held In much higher estima-
tion than by that humorous Irishman.
Not only 10 this 30 amongst his own
c%ountrymen, but also amongst the Irish.
| do not wonder at the adoption OF the
name by the clan OF which John Nc.
6regor Ia Chieftain, connected as he has
been, and closely too, with the past his
tory OF our city. l cannot pass over the
present auaplcl0ue occasion without ex-
pressing my deep sense Of admiration
OF his worth and integrity 40 a citizen
and o public officer. l say this In no
fulsome spirit, but In one Of candor and
slncerity-twlce elected 10 the civic
chair OF this city, during which time no
also occupied the %chairmanabip Of the
boards OF trade and education. These
are In themselves evidences OF the estl.
nation In which he 10 held by the clti-
zens Of Springfield"
Ref palmore responded TO the mem.
ory Of Burns, Miss Pringle sang "There
was q lad was born In Kyle" Clans.
man David Anderson reclted Tam
0'shanter. Rob Roy McGregor, Bonnie
Doom and other songs and recitations
were given, and Aud Lang Syne was
given by the company In conclusion.
or acourse the supper was e%umptuous.
May we Of Canton participate sometime
with them on such an occasion.