St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-05-13

marching in tWoS, filed down the wide hall
and through the doors of the dining room.
There had been 300 plates laid. -Four
tables ran the entire length of the hall, and
running at right angles across the head of
the room, another one was set, along one
side OF which were seated the representa-
tive men of the order in the city. j. j.
McCafferty sand c. d. O'Rren sat at the
head and were fianked on either side by
Hon. j. }. Egan, Hon. p. II. Kelly, Capt.
NJ. ). OConnor, ID. w. Lawler and Will
lam Louis Kelly.
Inc tables were pictures of neatness,
with their elaborate array of glittering
glassware, shining cutlery and immaculate
Nnen. On the center table stood beauti-
fui center piece, representing a grazing
! scene Oh the Western praries. surmounted
by bronze deer standing in a luxuriant
marsh. On the left was beautiful image
of the goddess of liberty standing on the
top OF an immense pedestal of white, repre-
senting marble. In the center of the head
table sat lovely fountain four feet high
and white, ornate with golden and green
moses. AT the base of the fountain was
large circular basin filled with water, in
which live fish disported itself. The
summit was crowned with a large harp, the
frame wound i'll sprays of evergreen.
On the table to the right sat a
vast urn two feet high, filled with natural
| flowers. The urn was composed OF bronze
| white and green material, and was very
tasteful ornament. These pieces were all
the handiwork of the chef of the hotel.
The menu was a beautiful combination
of colorS. 1t was printed on heavy card
board in bright green ink. On the leaf op-
poSte the menu was a list of the toasts,
an0 over the top of either page were the
words Menu" and ''Toasts'' wrought in
raised characters of bronze twined with
sprigs of forget-me-nots. On the outer
cover were two cuts, one showing clasped
hands, the other the representation of a
harp, under which was the sentence:
Erin go Bragh." On the cover was the
inscription:
Complimentary banquet, rendered to and in
honor OF the a. o. III. National convention.
Hotel Ryan, st. Paul, Wednesday, May IL,
1855, delegates to the national convention.
On the back was printed the following
names, members of the banquet committee:
j. j. McCafferty, chairman; Lawrence
Fancy, secretary; Hon. G. ID. O'Brien, J. J.
Kennedy and NJ. ]. O'Connor.
The list of luXurieS was long one, en-
bracing dishes that might tickle the palate
of an oriental epicure.
1t was two hours after the banqueters
were seated before the last course of the
menu was finished. During the feast the
First regiment band was stationed in the
balcony over the entrance to the hall and
discoursed music at brief intervals that
was well calculated to stir the
hearts of the sons of Erin and
the orchestra was heartily and frequently
applauded. The spread was quietly dis
cussed. Social converse increased as the
wine flowed more freely. Taken altogether,
it was one of the happiest events that has
happened In st. Paul for many day. At
1880 the last course was finished and
cigars were passed around. the banqueters
assumed easy positions and the speeches
began.
THE SPEECHES.
Toastmaster J. ]. McCatferty raped the
gathering to order with a silver handled
faces were turned towards him eX-Mayor
O'Brlen arose and said:
Brethren and fellow countrymen: In the
practice of the virtue of hospitality there
are two principles tt, be observed:
You must welcome your friends and
GOD speed your parting guests. We asked
ourselves how we could best evidence the
honor and respect that we felt for our breth-
en- throughout the United States. and in
casting about us, we found this beautiful
edif1ce, which was built by an 1rishman, and
in the dedication OF which an Irish
voice was first lifted and we thought
that we could find no more appropriate place
for this reunion of the representatives of that
grand old country that we all love. APP
plause.l We concluded to make the occasion
one where the children of Ireland could come
together and sit awhile alone. And so there
Not heart that does not beat
in unison with yours. We are all
lrishmen. If the spirits of the revered dead
look down on us on such an occasion as this,
they surely will smile in favor. We will be
forgiven if tonight we forget that we are
alone and think of our own interests. The
genius of Ireland sits here tonight, and you
are welcome, heartily welcome, and those
who are receiving you cannot express the
warmth of their hearts toward you
Mr.. O'Brien ceased in the midst of loud
applause and gave way to J. J. McCafferty
who said:
Brother members of the A. O. H., fellow
Irishmen. 1t will be noticed on the list of
toasts that there is a sentiment attached
to every toast, but there is none at
tached to the toast of the toast-master.
Here Mr.. McCafferty recited piece of
| poetry that appealed strongly to the sympa-
thies of those who heard him. He closed
with introducing Henry F, Sheridan, to
whom he paid pretty compliment. Mr..
| Sheridan arose in the midst of loud hand
clapping and said that two years ago fight
| was made in the convention at Cleveland for
| the holding of the next convention in
| ST. Paul, and it was decided to do so, and
he wished to extend, in behalf of the dele
gates vote of thanks to those who had so
| cordially received them, and he was sure
that every delegate voiced his sentiments.
He replied briefly to the toast, Friend
oh in, ~ bric
He said the Irishmen had been obi tged to
combat with the English government, that
had burnt their churches, torn down their
schoolhouses and sent English missionaries
to their shores to teach the Irish people to
hate each other. The hypocritical influence
of the English knaves, said he, has had its eff
feet on the people, and 1t is no wonder that
the representatives of the land
thai has been crushed under the
heel Of the oppressor, still bear enmity toward
their prosecutors" He said that the attempt
OF the lriShman'S enemies to SANDER the
members of the A. o. Ii. had failed and to-
day the Irish Catholic could live in the full
enjoyment of his belief, without fearing per-
secution. He reviewed the history of the
order, and closed by affirming that the order
must and would succeed
CAPT. o'ooNNoR's SPEECH.
Capt. NJ. J. O'Connor was next intro
duced to reply to the toast United States.
He made an eloquent speech, saying
among other things:
The glories Of the republic need
no eulogy. Her praises are proverbial
throughout the world. 1t is unnecessary for
any man to say that he appreciates
the honor of responding to a senti-
ment that is intended to honor our
great and free constitutional government.
men must not give color to the charge that
they have too much freedom, lest they justify
the rod of despotism from which they fed to
the fair shores of Columbia, where an oppor-
tunity was afforded to better their condition.
The republic up to this time has not felt the
need of standing army in time of peace,
and woe he to any class that will compel
the nation to support one. No portion of
citizens are entitled to special honor
for sustaining the laws. because
it is their duty, but those who violate it de-
serve. condemnation. 1 am proud to refer
to our countrymen in this connection who
have always shown undying love for the in
situations OF this land. No Irish name APP
nearS in connection with SOcialistic trouhla