Morning journal and courier., 1894-03-17
.KNIanrs OF sT. PATRICK.

 Annual Banquet at War-
 ner Hall-SonE and Mirth-A Cable- l
 gram From Consul DOWnes. |
 The seventeenth annual banquet of the Knights of St. Patrick was held in Warner hall last evening and was attended by about 200 guests; and was withal the most successful and notable dinners this organ izstion has eyer held. An excellent menu was served. Just before midnight W. J. Sheehsn, jr.. favored those present with moat excellent rendition of the "Star Spangled Banner" ," which was heartily ap- plauded. -
 President Nicely then arose and read the following cablegram from Edward Downes, United States consul at Amsterdam, Hol- land:
 AMSTERDAM Holland, March 16. 1894. "''-9'' DowNEs. President Neely then proposed the health of Edward Downes, which was drank. Presidsnt Neely then sent beck to him cablsgram extending the best wishes ot the brother knights.
 At coffee Postmaster Dillon made the introductory address and President Nicely followed with the opening address of well come. Following was the address by President Nicely: ADDRESS BY WILLIAM NEELY. Brother Knights: In conformity with | the constitution of our order we are as sembled to celebrate the anniversary of St. Pstrick's day in . social and intellectual manner, ever keeping in mind that the | cause of Ireland's national independence is \ ko1 rofv v,1o VUhfoh fhfa | association is based. What has transpired ! on the other eide of the Atlantic, pertain l ing to the government of our fatherland, ! is we'll known to all of you. That her
 wrongs have not been lighted, that she is still bound hand and foot beneath the cruel heal of oppression is but too true. That long expected morn when the king of day | would rise and cast his golden sunbeam | upon that land redeemed from thralldom | and oppression, where loving hearts with smiling countenances looking through
 their tears, were to welcome him with
 songs of joy and gladness, has not yet come.
 No; brother knights. That long expect. ed morn Is yet in the dim uncertain future, but her valiant sons and daughters at home and abroad, are as watchful, earnest | and jealous as the generations that have passed away. And that heritage that has been transmitted to us is the csuss of our | presence to night. For this Is but one of | the watch-f fires whose bright light forms a halo round the world at which the descen.
 dants of that gem of the sea are in song and story, telling again the sad sad tragedy | that has given her the name of the land o1 sorrows.
 | 4 land whose beautiful bays, matchlesf
 lakes and magnificent streams have all the requisites necessary to mako her one ot the busiest hives of industry on earth government and bad laws, but 8 gleam ot light through the conduct of the grand old man has raised again our hopes. May that
 light continue, ever accompanied by oul fervent prayers for the coming of that happy dayw we shall see upon the stone that shall be raised to mark the resting place of that young patriot Rotert Emmett ! That name in full, for then in conformity | with his last words, his country will have taken her place amongst the nations of the
 earth. I congratulate you upon this happy re-
 turn of the day we celebrate, and when we
 remember that 1t Is sweet sixteen we en
 tsrtain tonight I am sure the sentiment
 and merriment will be equal to the age It Is not, however, my duty on this occa
 sion to dwell at length upon either aenti ment or song: that duty devolves upon an
 other, the tosstmaster of the night, and te
 whom you will give your attention. Re | membering that this is an occasion fol merriment e we'll as sentiment, and witt
 this sentiment from the immortal Moore, turn over the exercises to Brother Dillon
 stso wreath the bowl with flowers of souI | Tho brightest wit can find us,
 | We'll take a flight towards Heaven to night, t And leave dull Earth behind us