The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1893-03-25
FROM OVERLAND.
Helena, the Capital Of Montana,
Does Honor to Ireland's
81 5s Patron Saint.
UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE
Meagher Guards a Most Successful
Entertainment Was Produced
in the Evening.

Meagher Guards a Most Successful
Entertainment Was Produced
in the Evening.
An esteemed correspondent Of THE
IR1sH STANDARD writes entertainingl
concerning the celebration of st. Pat
rick's day at Helena, Mont. Speaking
of the festivities in that thriving metrop-
oils of the west, he says:
A banquet was given in Helena on the
evening of St. Patrick's day under the
auspices of the Meagher Guards M. N. G..
which was one of the most successful af-
fairs of this character ever held in this
city. At least five hundred guests were
in attendance, and Hon. ThomasH II. Car
ter sat at the head of the table in the
capacity of toastmaster. Many brilliant
addresses were made by prominent Irish
men OF the city, the following being a
list of subjects:
''Montana," response by Lieut.. A. c.
Botkin.
'.The President Of the United States,
+. w. Knight.
"The Day we Celebrate" j. A. Walsh.
THE Irish in America" I. j. Walsh.
"'Ihe Ladies'" r. r. Purcell.
''The City Of Helena" Mayor John G.
Curtin.
"Oliver Goldsmith" Miles Cavan.
augh, jr.
civilian E. Gladstone William Har-
rison.
"The Gentlemer,' Miss Ella Knowles,
late populist candidate for attorney gen.
eral of Montana.
''The Press,' M J. Hutchins, jr.
Is Many of the addresses were Of a high
order of talent and the occasion was a
veritable feast of reason and flow of soul.
Mr. r. J. Walsh is one of the most eIo-
quent young men in the Northwest, aud
{ on this occasion fully sustained his repu-
tation, while Mr.. r. r Purcell handled
his delicate and interesting subject with
masters art. The address of the even
ing, however, was that of Mr.. William
Harrison, Of this city, who had for his
subject '.The Grand Old Man." William
Ewart Gladstone. Mr.. H. is an English
man and has fought political battles un-
der the flag of Gladstone, serving him at
one time as under secretary. Following
is Mr.. Harrison's response to the toast in
full:
Before proceeding with my remarks,
desire to thank the gentlemen Of the
committee for having placed in my hands
so ilustrious subject; not indeed be.
cause feel any assurance that T can dc
it deserving justice, but because twenty
five years ago it was my good fortune to
render personal service to this great man
= in his second political campaign in Ian
cashire. The nature Of that service
afforded me ample opportunity for per
h sonal observation OF the man and the
statesman, both before the immense
gatherings that came and went to cheer
1 his matchless e]oquence with almost wild
outbursts of enthusiasm and the more
private quarters Of his committee. If
therefore, should seen extravagant in
my estimate of his rare gifts and rare ge-
MUS, it should not detract from his great.
ness, but rather be charged to my hav.
ing fallen into hero worship.
Mr.. Gladstone's defeat at the general
election to which I refer 1868 was from,
no lack of appreciation of his superior
craftsmanship by the people whose suf
frages he sought, but because in that
ye8r he had advocated the disestablish
ment and disendowment of the lrist
. church, which act on his part challenged
the bigotry OF the most influential por
tion of that constituency. The measure
subsequently became law under the
guidance of his masterly hand.
His public addresses at that time af
now in his advanced old age we're marked
by superior intellectually. admired by
friend and foe alike. Cool and collected
in all bis utterances; an almost entire
absence of gesture, his unimpassione
delivery of logic and fact commanded e
the most spontaneous enthusiasm from
his hearers.
As apprehend your appreciation o.
my effort will rise or fall 10 proportion
to it's brevity, simply refer to the facts
that, beginning his public career in the q
British house of commons before he had
{ attained the age Of twenty-five his re'
markable talents soon gained snbstantlaal ga
& recognition from the great leaders Of that The
time. Finding himself il 1851 opposed
g his colleagues On the subject Ct q. 9 the
removal Of Jewish disa abilities, he separ-
ated himself from the main body of a1tlt 7ti1e