Wichita eagle., 1888-12-13

entered the rear car where were the bishop
and the following priests of Arch diocese,
St. Louis, all friends of his: Very Rev.
Phillip Braon, &, Revs, VIM. Walsh, d.
S. Phelan, +, J. Shea NJ. S. Brennan, Z.
Coyle, L. Wernert, Z. Jones, J. J. Head,
p. OLoughlin-
They were given very hearty greeting
and taking seats in the carriage provided
they were all driven to the new home OF
the bishop, No. 236 North Fourth, where
supper awaited them.
THE RECEPTION
was held at the hall of the Catholic school
building at the corner of Second and
Fourth This large hall had been very
neatly and tastefully arranged and dec
GRATED. Upon a platform in the east end
were placed on the right, seats for the at
tending clergy and upon the left seats for
the speakers and prominent gentlemen of
the city, In the center was chair for the
bishop; behind it upon the wall was
Welcome Bishop of illuminated white
letters on a back ground of green and
beneath an oil painting of st. Aloyisus,
From the ceiling hung festoons of ever
green with roSeUts of natural flowers.
At s:15 the hall was crowded with
people and the bishop in the robe of his
high office entered escorted by Father
Casey and the clergy and marching up the
center aisle took the chairs awaiting
them.
Father Casey rs master of the cermony
announced selection from the choir and
they sang Welcome" He then spoke as
follows:
Ri. Rev. Bishops, Very Rev.-and Rev, Fathers.
Ladies and Gentlemen
My sentiments can be better imagined
than expressed on this occasion. Indeed,
they are much like those of the traveller
when his storm tossed vessel sights his
much loved and long sought for native
land. The elapse of months, yea of years
of anxious expectancy has brought about
tonight the realization of yours and my
fondest hopes. Yes, | know it, | merely
voice the feelings and explain the seuti-
ments of thousand hearts and as many
tongues when | say that though the an
gel of death had visited US and robbed us
of our bishop elect, James OReilly, yet
Wichita has reached tonight its long
sought for goal.
We are not an ungrateful people. Our
we'll beloved former bishop, Rt. Rev. l..
VI. Fisk than whom, need l say, there is
none of the American hierarchy more in
fuential at Rome, respected our wishes
and laid our petition at the feet of his Ho-
illness.
The fame. wealth and liberality of Wich-
tia, linked with the church's rapid strides
here, had already reached the Eternal
City and moved the Holy Father to recog-
nize us in an extraordinary manner on
August ,. 1857.
Therefore do you and / feel proud to-
night. proud that an impetus viii be CIV
en- religion which will be felt far and wide,
even in material sense, proud
after three years experience TO acknowl-
edge that time, place, or circumstance
viii not be able TO efface the cherished
memories OF liberal people: proud that
every i'll to which human nature is heir
viii be ScrUpulously afIeviaJed by one of
the church'S most favored sons and proud
fellow citizens To introduce to you one,
who for his ability, learning, piety and ex-
perience. has few equals ana certainly no
peer in the hierarchy. Rt. Rev. John Joseph
HenutSSV Doctor of Divinity, Wichita :
first conSecrated bishop and 10 bespeak for
him continuance of that generosity and
liberality for which Wichita IS famous for
beyond the confines Of the union and which
thanks 2 thousand thanks to our citizens
has been ever accorded the churchS repre-
SentatiyeS.
At the close OF this cordial welcome,
Hon. J. Z. Allen, mayor, arose and ex-
tended the greeting of the city couacil;
Right Reverend Sir:-Having been as
signed the very pleasant duty of making a
few remarks on this occasion. permit me
to say thai the beautiful city, TO which 1t
is nv pleasure 70 bid YOU welcome, Is less
than two decades old; il has not Yet attain
ed its majority. Less than twenty years
ago the indians inhabited the place where
we are tonight so pleasantly congregated;
il has been bur few years
since men of Different religious faiths.
men of different political affiliations,
men of all nationalities were attracted TO
this place by its beautiful landscape, rich
soil and magnificent climate. These ear
nest energetic men have We'd with each
other in tie improvement Of our country
aud the building of our city; they have
been untiring in their efforts TO attract
great commercial institutions and secure
their location. In proof that our people
are moral. intelligent, energetic and lib
eral, have only 10 point YOU 10 the hun
drsds of spires that point heavenward.
And yet, amid all the hurry of business,
our citizens take great pleasure IN laying