Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-03-21

terday was the most emphatic that has
been witnessed here for many years. Irish
citizens turned out en- masse. The chief
points of gathering were the Opera House
and the Auditorium, where Fathers Flynn
and Birmingham made most eloquent
Orations in memory of st. Patrick.
The Ancient Order Of llibernans had
great celebration of st. Patrick's Day in
the Auditorium yesterday afternoon, when
nearly 1900 people filled the building for
the purpose Of listening To the eloquent
lecturer, the Rev. W. J. Birmingham OF
st. Mary's Church. In connection with
the lecture there was musical programme
that was simply superb.
After several musical numbers had been
given, Owen J. Hession, who presided.
made brief address, in which he stated
the purpose of the meeting to be desire
to establish a chair in the Catholic Uni
rersity in Washington, after which the
orator Of the occasion, the Rev. w. j.
Rermingham, was introduced. The sub
lect Of his lecture was Tine Shamrock
Entwined Amidst the Laurels of l7TB
The talented lecturer opened his address
by eulogi2ing the Ancient Order os
Hibernians, telling the motives of the
organization and explaining how the
motto Unity. fraternity and true Chris
tian charity is eXemplilied in the every
action of the different divisions.
He spoke of the shallow mindedness of
some people; how they allowed themselves
10 be acttlated by selfish motives. This
class of people, he explained, do not make
good citizens. who are ever Jealous and
watchGul OF public affairs and free ins!itu-
tions. The fail of some of the great
powers was referred to, Rome and Greece
being notable examples. The reason was
not u lack of territory or popu alton but
the failure OF the people to perform their
duties as citizens. They were too fond of
amusement and sacrificed everything forit.
No class Of citizens are more loyal to
America, the lecturer asserted, than those
who are classed among the sons of Erin.
lie spoke Of how every notable battle
field in both the revolution and civil wars
and in fact every American war, was the
scene of irish bIoodshed, and alluded to
the lrshmaF, telling how they were to be
found in every patriotic undertaking.
The flag OF Ireland has been the shroud of
champions i'll all parts of the earth.
III the consideration of the heroes of
this country, the speaker said, race and
creed should be carefully neglected. lie
then went on to relate how the Irish had
taken an important part III the war of the
Revolution. He said that the Irish in this
country are Americans because they love
freedom neutrality-suspicious.. lam an Ameri-
can - he exclaimed, "and would not bar
Ter INV TlBul W CHILLI OtllillDlu Us u hOlllC
for the most valuable diadem."
The eminent speaker quoted from Gallo
way, when he was asked the question in
the House of Lords OF England as to the
composition of the army OF the (American)
colonies. He replied that onc-tourth was
English and Scotch combined, one-fourth
native Americans and One-half lrishmen.
Father Birmingham said justice in
scribes eternal gratitude to ireland OH the
national monuments.
lie also said that Lord Mountjoy made
the statement in the House of Lords after
the Revolutionary war. that America had
been lost to England through the Irish.
The clergyman then related to the
strength OF the Irish in this country during
the continental strife. lie said that l0O, 900
immigrants came over from I'LL to l713
for the purpose of lending a hand in the
interest of American separation from the
mother country.
During that time, the lecturer asserted,
every Irishman in America was a Whig.
Not one Irish name could be found among
the Tories. In the dark days OF the revo-
luton, he went on, the country was saved
by the liberality of some Philadelphia
merchants who contributed more than Il
million dollars toward the support of the
American army. OF these contributors ~
were members OF the order of Sons of St.
Patrick. and their subscription was one
third of the entire amount.
The Bishop of Cork also interested him
self on this nccusion, tine speaker said, and
after being appealed TO by his brother in
this country, succeeded in loading snip
with supplies and sending it to Boston.
Thomas Duncan, the first governor of
New York State, Father Campbell, who
was m intimate friend OF Washington
ana through whose instrumentality it was
| that Cauada became neutral; John Barry,
| the first commander of the American
navy; Thomas Fitzsimmons, a president
OF utthoPhiladelphia Chamber of Commerce,
who contributed Sl25,uOJ of private
money for, the worthy cause OF liberty,
Steven Moylun, whose brave drI-
goons so signaily distinguished them
selves at Trenton, Monmouth, Ger.
mantown, lSrandywine and other noted
buttleields John Sullivan, who lead the
first organized band Of soldiers against the
royal forces and captured Forts William
and Mary: jeremiah OBrien, who struck
| the first blhw ON the water, and captured
the British wurship Marguerite in Mckee's
| Bay; Thomas Lynch, the first man in the
South To resist the British govern ment,
and his son, Thomas, who signed the
| Declaration of Independence; Matthew
] Lyons, commander OF the famous Green
| Mountain Boys" and whose vote as
elector was cast for Thomas jefferson ns
| the third President OF the united St1tcs
were held out AS illustrations of Irish
| American patriotism and bravery in the
early life III the nation.
The recent unpleasantness between the
North and South was next referred to anC
the same state of affairs, practically, wa
shown to exist at that time US during tn,
revolution, as far as the make up OF tht
loyal citizens and soldiers was concerned
'"rhe first shot was fired on Fort sum
ter" the speaker asserted, by AN Irish
man. 1t was Patrick Gibbons He thet
went on to relate the commendable per
formances and self.denial exhibited by th'
great lrish-American COMMANDERS in th'
civil war.
In closing, the illustrious lecturer re
ferred to the desire of Ireland to be tTe
from the English yoke. He said that hi
great love for Ireland would make such I
condition very welcome achievement t.
him. He said the Irish love liberty ans
they should have it.
The different artists, some of whom ar
Wilmingtonians, deserve great deaf o
credit for the manner i'll which the musl
was rendered. The programme was a
follows;
Piano solo. "Capriccieti" ............kleii
Mr.. james Warhurst.
Chorus, Sons of Ireland h.......... Bali
Mrs. L. Harkins, the Misses Schwa5 an,
Messrs. McCullin, Currau, Gillespie,
McNulty and Manoney.
Aria, La Donna Mobile, "Rigoletto" .Nerd
Sig. Giannini
Solo, Eternity. .Mascheron
Nine A. T.. Fisher.
Quartet, THE Chapel ........... hreutze