Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-03-18
CLEVELAND AT A BANQRET.
The Ex-President Addresses the Friendly
Sons of st. Patrick

The Ex-PreSident Addresses the Friendly
sons of 81. Patrick.
New YORK, March 1S.-Ex-P President
Cleveland made his first appearance as a pri-
vate citizen in New York, and his maiden
speech since his dethronement, at the l05th
anniversary dinner of the Friendly Sons of
st. Patrick at Delmonco's Saturday night
He received an ovation which could not have
been excelied in warmth and sociabilitS.
There We're number of prominent people
present, among them Mayor Grant, Everett
P Wheeler, Hon John $. Wise, ex-Judge
Charles p. DAILY, Eibridge T. Gerry, Hon.
Delaney Nicoll, and Hon Roswell p.
Flower. Joseph j. O'Douoghue presided
and introduced the ex-president when it
came his turn To respond. The chairman
referred briefly to the situation in Ireland,
and said that what the almost superhuman
efforts of the Irish patriots had failed to &C.
complsh was to be brought about by the de-
feat of traitors and the credulity of oppo-
nents. In tie name of every man having
Irish blood in his veins he thanked the Amer
lean people and the American press for the
sympathy they had shown his kinsmen over
the sea, Perjury and treason, he contended,
would no more keep Ireland in political
slavery than dynamite and assassination
would set her free. No cause could be won
by those means. In introducing Mr.. Cleve-
land, who spoke to the toast The United
States, Mr. O'Donoghue said: 1--WE will now
listen to a modern Cincinnatus-a man who.
fortnight ago, ruled 60,OoO 900 people, and
who tonight, as a modest citizen, comes to
tell us what he knows about the United
States. / will now ask YOU to drink the
health of Grover Cleveland"
As Mr.. Cleveland rose he was greeted with
enthusiastic cheers, which were repeated
again and again, and at the chairman's sug-
gestion the distinguished guest was made the
third adopted Son OF St Patrick, the other
two having been George Washington and
Henry Ward Beecher
As soon as quiet was restored Mr.. Cleve-
land began by referring to the marvellous
growth and development of the United
States, to its hospitality to the people of all
nations who are willing to assume the duties
of citizenship, and TO its sympathy and aid of
all nations struggling for freedom. acknowl-
edging at the same time the contribution we
have received from the sturdy men of other
lands, to our population, and to every ele-
ment OF our greatness"
He said il should not be forgotten that "tbe
United States alone stand for the one gov
eminent always free and founded upon human
rights and equality before the law. Thus is
presented the unity of our states and the
fundamental Importance of that unity to all
we are and all we hope TO be Our national
life is inseparable from this union of the
states The success of the American expert
ment of self-government could not he demon
strated except by the triumph of the unity of
the United States. To this end the fathers
had yielded their prejudices and opinions; to
this end III later years blood was shed and
lives were sacrificed on many hard-fought
field. I'VE should not be content with ven
Grafton for those who made us nation
nor with the sacred and grateful remem
brance of those who shed their blood and
gave their lives for its perpetuation. We
too, owe duty to the United States. We
can at least teach fraternity and liberation
the sure foundations of our unity and of
our country's life. If those lessons are firm
ly established in the heart of our country
men We shall, to the extent that We aid in
this consummation, perform the duty re-
qoired Of US in our day and generation Let
US then cultivate real and genuine generosity
and fraternal kindness among all our people
Let US resolve that no partisan exiCencv
shall excuse the creation or keeping alive of
irritation and jealousy among people, all
charged with the safety, the development
and the triumph of American instit utions
Our destiny is before Us"
He concluded as follows: In this assem-
blage where so large representation is
found of the race which in all stages of our
national life has done so much to make our
country great. and whose hearts ( this time
turn lovingly to their brethren who struggle
for the blessings which are here enjoyed |
know that reference to any element of our
freedom and happiness will meet with a
heartfelt response. Here, regardless of place
of birth or former allegiance, we meet as Amer
lean citizens proud of our country, devoted
to her interests and prosperity, and wishing
with enthusiasm for those less favored. the
happiness, the freedom, the strength and the
peace which are found in the United
States"
Loud and prolonged cheers greeted the ex-
president as he took his seat Ii was long
after midnight when the toast list was COM
pleted
New YoRK, March 1S-St Patrick's day
was observed with appropriate services in the
Roman Catholic churches of this city vester-
day. Special music, decorations, and SER
mons on the life and services OF the saint were
features of the occasions The Knights Of
st. Patrick celebrated the day of their pat
ron SAINT by grand entertainment at the
Academy of Muse last night. Hon. s s.
Cox delivered an eloquent address, and there
were other speeches and music
CHICAGO, Marck lS-St Patrick's Day
was celebrated here yesterday by the usual
religious services and a monster parade of
Irish societies 1t is estimated that there
were fully 10000 men in tue procession.
which marched distance of several miles
throughout the city. Everything passed off
in an orderly manner, although the streets
were crowded throughout the entire after
noon with compact mass of humanity. The
display was the finest of the kind ever seen
here.