The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-18
IRELAND'S PATRON SAINT.
The United Irish Societies Appropriate
ly Celebrate st. Patrick's Day.
A Welcome Surprise Afforded by the Unex-
pected Absence of the Customary Rain
The Exercises at Masonic Hall.

st. Patrick's day without rain is as much of
an anomaly in the relationship of atmospheric
conditions to holidays as snow on the 4th of
July. An unlocked sky, mellowing sun and a
suffocating atmosphere of summer dust left the
calendar and the customary rosette of
green and shamrock as the only dis
tinctive marks of the observance Of ST.
Patrick's anniversary yesterday. The manner in
which the occasion was generally observed DEM
Onstrated, however, that rain was not necessary
10 remind anybody that the 18th of March is the
day for wearing the green. There were no
formal ceremonies during the day, but the Gus
tomary commemorative exercises were held at
Masonic Hall last evening under the direction
of the Irish societies, in the presence
of as many people as the build
ing could comfortably hold. The members
Of the order and the Emmett Guards marched in
a body to the hall at o'clock, beaded by the
Emmett Cornet Band. The meeting was called
to order by Mr. j. Fl. Deery and Mayor Denny
was made the presiding officer for the evening.
In brief opening address the Mayor spoke of
Saint Patrick as the greatest man Ireland had
produced in many centuries, as the only ono in
history who, by his own efforts, had converted
all the people Of his nation from one religious
belief to another. He said that there was some
thing else TO speak Of In honoring the memory
Of Irelands patron saint, and in this connection
he referred to the report that two of the mem
bers of GIadstone's Cabinet were about to re-
sign, and to the proposition for Kidding Ireland
of the pernicious system of landlordism which
had so long been imposed upon the people of
that country, remarking that there was cheap
thndk 10 ch 1nI.r kta,,
the expenditure of three quarters of million
dollars.
Following the remarks of the Mayor, "Come
Back to Erin" was sung by Mr.. Andrew Smith,
Clara Bretz, after which Miss Moie Ward gave
a recitation of Three Pledges" Miss Annie
Abromet sang ''Old Ireland Shall Be Free" in q
way which met with enthusiastic appreciation,
and in response to an encore. she sang THE Isle
That's Crowned with Shamrock"
Col. j. B. Maynard was introduced as the
principle speaker of the OCCASION in lieu of Judge
Turpie, who was unable to be present, owing to
the illness OF relative. In speaking of the an
niversary Colonel Maynard remarked that the
students of sacred history doubtless often
wondered why there are Tot more anniversaries
celebrating those great events of far away times
He had sometimes wished God would send q
Moses TO drown the English prosecutors of the
Irish in the Irish sea- However, those who
are watching the signs Of the times are
ready to certify that the day of Ireland's deliv-
erance is near at hand. When it comes it will
shake the earth. In speaking of the occasion Of
the celebration, he briefly reviewed the history
of Saint Patrick's career and the significant con-
temporaneous events during his life's work. In
sixteen years the Christian religion was estab-
lished In Ireland, and the anniversary Of Saint
Patrick is now celebrated in every land. Reck-
oning time as did Jehovah, Ireland was convert
ed by Saint Patrick in hour.
Proceeding to the consideration Of the subject
assigned to him, ireland and the Irish People, v
he said, that England should covet a land SO rich
and productive is Ireland is not surprising.
land in sheet of fame to secure her
subjugation. She robbed Irish homes,
murdered Irish people, and is now.
--striyiug to kill her by starvation. OF
all atrocities perpetrated in Ireland that which
fingers in memory as a horrid nightmare is the
prosecutions of Catholics. which forms the cap
stone of the wrongs heaped on that country.
Amidst crumbiing churches however. the Irish
people remained loyal to the relig-
iodP brought them by ST. Patrick.
hour of Ireland's rejoicings, when the day Of her
emancipation comes, not one will shine
with more resplendent lustre than
that which symbolizes lrishmens feal-
demanded of Irishmen that they should
abandon their faith and accept another, and be-
cause of their loyalty to conviction, which should
have been a high recommendation to
Christian England. it was made to operate as q
crime, and thus England, more cruel than the
Persian King, made Ireland furnace and the
fires of persecution transformed it into hell.
believe in retributive justice. The declaration
that the sins of the father are visited upon their
children and nations may, without violence,
stand for individuals In that case, what are to
be the punishments of England2 limo and
Gods Justice only reveal To my
mind they are looming up in the near distance.
Even now England cannot feed herself Strike
down her merchant marine and the island would
be famine cursed in six months. Throughout
all England are to be heard mutterings of com
ing storm which will strike down the throne,
In London hundred thousand men are hungry,
and but few days ago $4,000 of these subjects
of Victoria were battering down stores and
and shaking England's capital city by their mad
and desolating march. Ireland was never more
awake. alert and united than to-day, nor have
Jrishmen ever been more hopeful since England
first invaded their native land. l expect to live
to see the day when Ireland will again have q
Parliament of its own, and when laws to govern
Ireland shall be home made. When the
tong-prayed for time shall come, then !.
believe Irishmen-not English lords
will own the land in Ireland and the products
of their lands will hush into eternal silence the
meanings of the starving, then evictions will
cease and the houseless and homeless victims
of a tyranny OF incaculablo enormity will nc
longer be thrust into the highways to perish
like beasts, beneath pitiless storms. Ten mill
ions of Irishmen in America tonight
mingle their hopes with yours. With
you they are PRAYING for Irelands
disenthrallment from English rule. imagine
if the departed are permitted to take cognizance
of human affairs, st. Patrick is experiencing
thrills of delight He sees that the religion hi
taught your ancestors has survived thrones, and
kingdoms, and dynasties, and that, after fifty
generations, his me mory is revered and the faith
he taught maintained. imagine that
The harp that once through Tara's hall
The soul of music shed,
Is to be restrung and returned to more inspiring
music than Tara ever heard. It will be thu
of redemption from oppression.
Wearing of the Green was rendered by the
Emerald Band. following Colonel Maynardis ad
dress. and THE Minstrel Boy" was sung by Mis-
Maggie McGlynn.
An address reviewing the wrongs of ireland
was delivered by Mr.. Maurice Donnelly. II
eyinced careful preparation, was we'll delivered