Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-05
A POET HONoRED.
A Bust Of John Boyle O'Reilly Unveiled ii
= the Catholic University.

Il
A Bust Of John Boyle O'Reflly Unveiled at
the Catholic University.
The clergy and laity Of Boston. irrespective
| Of creed. joined hands in an endcavor TO 1T
| tingly perpetuate the memory Of the distin-
guished poet. John Boyle O'Reilly. which they
did by presenting to the Catholic University of
this city yesterday q handsome bronze bust Of
| the deceased poet. The bust, which is O fine
work of art. was placed on the platform in the
large lecture room, where the unwilling took
| place at o'clock in the afternoon. The COM
mi.tee from Boston arrived, but Gov. Russell
was unable to come with them, as was expected.
The committee consisted OF the Rev. DR.. VIM
| Byrne, vicar general Of the archdiocese Of
Massachusetts,; Thomas B. Fitz, president of
| the Catholic Union of Boston; Rev. A. ]. feeling
of Newburyport James Jeffrey Roach, editor
of the Boston Pilot; Mr.. Abram Shuman. and
Mr.. Samuel kitson, the artist, was also with
| them. Mr. and Mrs. Kline and Mr.. James
Mullen came with the committee and we're
present at the unwilling. The lecture hall was
filled with admirers of the deceased poet when
the hour for the unyeiling arrived. Bishop
Keane and the Rev. DR.. Garrigan. vice rector
of the university, entered the hall with the
Massachusetts, party, and when Mr.. Ktson
Withdrew the veil from the bust the audience
heartily applauded.
THE PRESENTATION SPEECH.
Rev. DR.. Byrre, in making the presentation
speech, said that he had good reason to know
the good qualities Of the poet who was now be-
ing honored. He made the presentation. he
said, in behalf of the people of the state of Mas
sachusetts and in the name of his numerous
friends and admirers, who were proud of the
man they had honored and who were also proud
OF his sterling qualities. He was a man deserv-
ing OF all honor that could be bestowed upon
HIM He was gifted poet and u true patriot.
HIS exile from his native land has proved
triple blessing, for, loving freedom as he did.
the free air of the American continent had not
only enlarged his ideas OF liberty but gave him
additional mental power. which he used to
more advantage, accomplished more good,
than had he remained in his
native land. He thought i, but lust that such
noble and grand institution as tho Catholic
University should give that hero n fitting re-
ceptlon to the halls oil its magnificent building.
Dr. Byrne complimented the artist and said:
we who knew O'Reilly know that the bust is q
faithful portrait and n work of art" In con-
clusion Dr. Byrne spoke of the spirit and char
acter OF the man whose bust had been unveiled
and quoted tributes paid to him by Cardinal
Gibbons, BENZ anin +. Butler, James jeffrey
Roach, Gov Long, Justin Mccarthy, Mayor
Hart OF Boston and others.
BISHOP KEASE's ACCEPTANCE.
Bishop Keane, in behalf of the university,
said he would gladly accept the bust of the
illustrious poet and patriot presented by SO
worthy representation of the clergy and the
laity of New England. John Boyle O'Reilly
was with us on the day of our inauguration"
he said, land one of the most charming
features OF the day was the reading of his
lovely poem, From the Heights He was
sorry that the poet could not be present again,
magnificent work of art portraying the exact
image of the man, and for that he thought the
artist should be sincerely thanked. ''And,"
said Bishop Keane, "Okeilly has come here to
join goodly company. Facing him is the fine
painting of Pope Leo and with him is associated
dear Plus TX. Then there is the glorious Man
ming. the bust of st. Thomas the angel of the
schools Then there the portraits of the
founders Of the institution, and they will re-
main in these halls fixtures John Boyle
OReilly is ten thousand times welcome. The
bust represents true man Of God who
knew how to unite the love OF the beautiful
with the love of truth as well as the love of the
good" Bishop Keane told some personal remi-
niscences and said he remembered on one &C.
casion when they were discussing some poems
that had been read O'Reilly said to him: True
beauty must not have only the charm, but the
calmness and dignity of q Greek statue, and ii
it becomes impassioned or excited it is no
longer beautiful.
HE loved the beautiful through that cause,
the love of virtue, and" concluded Bishop
keane. If there is another man who has won
the glory and honor that o. Reilly has We will
be glad to accept o bust of him to grace our
halls"
OTHER SPEAKERS.
Mr.. Fitz then made a short address, telling
something more of the dead poet, and Mr..
Roach reada poem, translated from the Spanish,
by DIR. Byrne, and he assured his hearers that
nothing had been lost in the translation. Fol-
lowing the reading Of the poem Mr.. Shuman
who was an intimate friend of the poet, said
something Of the good qualities and noble acts
OF the poet. and Bishop Keane concluded the
ceremonies by saying that he hoped John
Boyle o Reilly had created such an envy that
men would ask each other where his equal
could be found. 'And," no said, when the
man is found, he, too, will be honored by a
place in the halls Of the university"
DIR. Garrigan escorted the Massachusetts
party through the building and they were we'll
pleased with the institution. The bust, which
Is life size. is of bronze. The base is orna-
mented with a spray Of shamrock around a
quill pen. The pedestal is made Of polished
Tennessee marble.
Among the many persons present were Mr..
John X. Murphy, brother-in-law of the poet;
Henry c. Walsh, editor OF Lippincott's Maya
zine; Congressman ONeil and Hoar. j. L.
Kelly, Philip Jackson and W. E. Haskell of
Boston, Secretary Mosley Of the interstate
commerce commission and Mr.. N. L Weller,
an intimate friend of the poet.