The Irish standard., 1888-03-24
IN ST. PAUL.

In st. Paul the day was quietly
though becomingly, celebrated. On the
streets green was the predominatins
color worn by pedestrians. Every pa
triotic Irishman. and for that matter
every Irish woman, announced his OF
her nationality by the CONSPICUOUS dis
play Of rosettes and ribbons Of green.
at $3.50 a. N. the members Of the
Father Mathew society, reinforced by
contingents from the other temperance
societies of the parish, formed in front
of their hall on st. Peter street and
marched into the cathedral. High Mass
was sung, Father Byrne being celebrant
and Fathers Gibbons and Fitzpatrick
deacon and sub deacon respectively.
Father Conway, OF St. James parish,
preached a very Interesting and elo-
quent sermon, reviewing the life and
deeds of St. Patrick. ,['ll g services being
over, the societies formed again outside
Of the church and marched to the epis-
copal residence to pay their respects to
Bishop Ireland. The congratulatory
address was delivered by Timothy Rear
don and was substantially as follows:
con behalf OF the Father Mathew To
tai Abstinence society, it affords me
great pleasure on thjs, this anniversary
Of lreland>s patron SAINT, and the
twentieth year Of Che existence OF our
organization to pay our respects to you
as Guar spiritual guide, and, through YOU,
to the clergy OF our city, and to thank
you Tor the assistance you have afforded
us III our effnrts to propagate the
glorious cause of total abstinence. tits
unnecessary to assure you, Right Rev.
sre,.d sir, that we ann aud hope by our
example to thoroughly Undue the minds
or the present and rising generations
with tbs Importance Of sohrlety and the
blessings that dow from ii. Iregret to
say, however, that our efforts are not
fully appreciated, for instead of
strengthening our society by increased
membership, other associations are Con-
tlnually forming and failing. which, OF
course, detracts greatly from che prestige
OF our society. We have hundreds only
in our ranks where we should have
thousands. It should be remem bered
that ours il an organization foun,.ed
upon principle calculated to improve
the morals Of the people, aud conse-
quently worthy Of all consideration;
FOR next to christianity, under heaven,
believe abstinence from alcohol i'll all
its forms to be the most direct road to
prosperity in this world and happiness
in the next, aud the sooner the people
view the latter in this light. the better
for them and for the country at large.
In conclusion, Rt. Rev. Sir, allow me
to hope for a contlnuanceuf the interest
you have ever manifested in the well
fare Of the Father Mathew society and
the total abstinence Gauss. We wish
you very many happy returns OK the day.
Standing on tins steps Leading to the
Episcopal residence Bishop Ireland re-
spondud as follows: " ti1ank you,
gentlemen, for your kindly greeting.
{ am proud to see so many people
gathered to ether on this glorious
festival to pay your respects 80 your
bishop aud to honor your molly religion.
But you would not be celebrating st.
Patrick's day properly did you tot be
come better men, better people. The
to day brings us j,y and
Time WAS we could only
look to the present-the future was
dark and without hope. But how
things have changed. Over the Irish
race the glorious sun Of freedom and
social happiness is rising. soon to ap-
pear liz high heaven. Through the
of unscrupulous men,
Home Rule for Ireland may be deferred,
but it cannot be prevented. The masses
Of The English people have resolved, by
5heir Votes, to repair the dreadful
wrongs of the past. But, besides the
Ireland across the sea, there is an Ire
land in America.
Millions Of the sous and daughters of
ireland are citizens of this republic
And it is cheering to know and observe
that over them is rising the sun of pros
perity and happiness. We may indeed,
with legitimate pride, congratulate the
Irish of Minnesota who, in every walk
OF life, have achieved honorable distinc-
ton. And this result, my friends, is
chiefly due to the sacred cause you rep
resent.
Hence 1 am proud to see the old
Father Mathew banner conspicuuos
among the rest. Who have a better
right than you to celebrate St. Patrick. s |
lay; to speak Of IreIaud' g glory; Of. Ire