The morning call., 1894-03-18

Yesterday was a glorious day for the
immortal green.
1t was as If the sun burst of Erin had
opened in all its fabulous glory and
flooded San Francisco with its radiance.
The celebration by St Patrick's people
added new luster TO their national color,
and to themselves, enthusiastic as 1t was.
a renown that will be spoken of for many
years TO come.
Heretofore Irishmen entertained certain
divergences of opinion regarding the COM
memoraton of st. Patrick DAY. and con-
seouently unity of purpose was forgotten,
although the same patriotic impulses kim
died a desire that worked alike and
trended in the same direction the
WORTHY honoring of him who brought
the light of Christianity and Christian
civilization into Ireland. Year after
year old traditions were renewed,
old times recalled, old faces seen through
the mystic haze of time and distance; the
shamrock from the Emerald Isle was
proudlyworn-and as properly drowned
while the green flag was taken for one day
TO float in the free. sunshine. Only there
was not unity. So these past celebrations
lost in impressiveness what they otherwise
would have contained, and beyond their
significance there was something missing.
This year. however, Irishmen extended
open hands cordially to one another, with
a resolve to achieve great ends in the CON-
mon cause. They united, and 10! the city
was theirs. This, too, was a literal truth,
for business was demoralized downtown,
and to all intents and purposes the day
was holiday. The men who had made
such successful celebration possible mad
the pleasure of knowing that their part is
admired by citizens of many naiionalities,
for, indeed, they have gwen San Francisco
a splendid object lesson in loyalty to
principle, in the power of union and in
enthusiasm.
But the little shamrock of Ireland
a type that bic DIS
Three Godlike friends
Love, valor, wlt-iore yer.
How it was worn IN hatbands and in
buttonholes by the thou>an The gen.
uine emblem from over the seas had come
here in mail packages as it never came
before, and pOssessOrs of tiny punches
prided themselves in having it in honor of
the occasion. Aud all manner of devices
and substitutes gave dashes of green color
to every other man or woman on the
streets and to nearly everybody in Sunset
City. The green flag was seen floating,
too, from many a hOusetop and through
the city's streets, mingling Significantly
with old glory. as it did on far different
occasions, when men stood shoulder to
shoulder like true men for the Union.
In the exposition grt unds, where the
celebration was held, green bunting and
decorations were profusely distributed
throughout the grand central plaza, and
no concession building was without its
share OF emerald adorpment. Il seemed
that nature had lent willing aid TO the
days complete success by giving genial
warmth and arching the heavens with
summer azure. Everything combined in
making the occasion a really wonderful
event in San Francisco's annals.
The day began with d solemn service al
ST. Mary's Cathedral. at which an i'm.
mense congregation attended, and an
eloquent sermon was delivered by one OF
the Paulist fathers now visiting this city.
Long before the ceremonies concluded
the streets around st. Mary's were packed
with people, and the procession was form
ing at various POINTS. The throng grew
with the minutes, until at noon vast con-
course filed the streets. Every streetcar
going west was taxed to its utmost capacity
10 accommodate the demands cfstravel to
the fair. On McAllister street fifty-seven
cars-all the road had in operation-were
out, and it was so on Geary street and
other lines leading to Sunset City. The
car lines had more frave than on the
opening day of the fair, and as for admis,
sIons to Sunset City, high-water mark was
reached.
The festivities and formal celebration a,
the fair were attended by many thousands
Every event was watched with much in,
terest. The exercises in Festival Hal
were of high order, as Archbishop Rinr
dan made a mastery address. Culnne
TObn. president of the day. welcomed the
audience to the exposition, and there were
some good numbers on the programme
Gaelic sports, comprising football. track