The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-03-18
H0NORS TO SAINT PATRICK.
Local 0bseryances Of the Shamrock
Day.--The Meeting at Har-
per's Theatre.
TO THE SHAMROCK.

TO THE SHAMROCK.
(BY ELoIsE G skIMINGs.)
Is it thy name,
Or is IL fame
That gives 20 our hearts such a rapturons thrill?
The roses bloom
Lifts not from gloom |
The soul, een tho its beauty the eye doth fill,
The lily white
And violet bright
Have fragrance both exuberaTt and rare,
But faiths green leaf,
The gospels sheaf,
No bcautcous flower can e'er with il compare.
Thou three -lc,fd stem,
Faiths starry gem,
May the lands that bear thee forever enshrlne,
81. Patnck's name,
81 Patrck's fame.
And three pcr'Ons in One-The God head divine
GnderiCh, OFT, Canada.
The meeting which was held at lar-
per's theatre last evening in honor of 81
Palrick's day was, from point of enthus-
iasm displayed, not only a manifestation
OF the manner in which the memory OF
lreiand's patron saint is cherished in
America. but faithful attestation of the
undving interest in the home rule move
mcut in Ireland The meeting was called
to order by r. F. Gary, ESQ., president
of the Rock Island branch OF the National
league. who announced Hon. II, c.
cleveland rs president of the meeting
Upon assuming the chair Mr.. cleveland
was greeted with applause. The first
speaker was
EM SHARON,
of LaPorte, Iowa, who commenced
by outlining the history of Ire
land from the earliest ages, describing
lis bright days and its dark days, the part
which the christian teacher, Saint Pat
rick. occupied in its history, and the re-
lation of his doctrines to the cause for
which ireland is now laboriLg. st. Pats
rick's labors had been productive of good,
outside Of the christian doctrine, which
he sought 10 elevate. When st. Patrick
was sent to Ireland by the Pope in the
fifth century, the outlook was discourage
ing indeed. The people were unbeliev
ers and his early labors were confronted
by encouragement on every hand. He
was friendless and penniless, and his hope
was in the trust which he had placed in
God aud the future, which he believed he
would attain through the christian be-
lief he sought to teach. Trusting
in the Omnipotent he went about
his mission in a manner which brought
fame TO his name and new state of af
fairs in Ireland Crowds tlocked to hear
him and to he converted unto his belief
and finally he left Ireland the most faith
full of all rations in Gods church.
Mr. Sharon dwelt at some length on
England's rule Of tyranny, the advantages
she had taken of the spread of the religion
founded in Ireland by st. Patrick, and
har frultless scheme to make all Ireland's
bishops English her final attempt to
grind the religion ont entirely, and the
fact that Ireland is as firm in her christian
belief as she is for the liberty she is
striving form attempting to throw OFF the
yoke of oppression.
1t was a mastery effort and the above
is an idea only, of an address which held
the close attention of Mr.. Sharon's hearers
for over au hour.
LAWRENCE HARMON, ESQ,
of Peoria, was then introduced, and
talked for two hours, the address being
considered one of the most scholarly and
interesting discussions of the Irish ques-
ticn ever delivered in Rock Island In
commencing his address, Mr. Harmon
alluded to the early laws Of lreland-the
condition OF the people under the Breh-
an law Of the tenth century, when the
people enjoyed a more civilized mode Of
living Than at any time previous Fol-
lowing this. came the atrocities of Eng
fish rule which have lasted to this day.
St Patrick's work in Ireland will al
ways be felt: his teachings will always
be cherished, and the doctrine he
taught and which is still being taught
are associated today with the cause for
which Parnell is striving. After
tracing the great work of ST. Pats
rick and It's effects and showing its
relation to the labor for liberty Mr. Har-
mon said there are two great men who
are bringing about the great event in
IrelaDds affairs today, and each is ac-
complishing great results in his particular
sphere; Arch Bishop Walsh, the great
spiritual director, and Charles Stewart
Parnell. director of the cause of liberty.
The last prayer Of St Patrick previous to
his being laid to rest in the church of
Dann, was that his spiritual children
might remain forever faithful to their re,
ligion and his prayer, Mr. Harmon said,
has been heard; It is this that is encour-
agInS lhe lrlsl people IN Their struggle
for freedom
In speaking Of Pdrnells work, the
speaker said that the great statesman
had with eighteen members driven the
British ministry out of power, and what
grand predictions could be made then as
to his accomplishments with eighty-six
members that he could and would de-
mand some measure of home rule in Tres
land, and he would be successful. Par,
nell was man vino had given himself
and ali that he possessed to the cause of
Ireland and her liberty. He had spent
his fortune and had mortgaged his prop
erty in order to support his own
members OF parliament. He had be
come individually responsible for the