The Irish standard., 1895-03-16
lEEIS i RTEI,AY
Tho Sunny South Does Honor to the
Patriots Memory. 45.S s8s5

corners last night BY one Of the most
representative gatherings Of Irish citi-
zens ever seen il Nashville, met 70 cele-
Ibrate day dear % the heart Of every
son of dear old Erin, Robert Emmet's
Birthday, says the Nashville American
OF the Ssh inst. There was an an en-
Ithusiasm, there was q Aow Of Irish wit
and humor, Of Irish patriotism; there
was firm friendship and CHEEKY COR
diaity throughout the entire evening that
was good to look at, to feel and be 9
part 81. There were old men present
whose locks were silvered with time,
but whose hearts still beat warm and
bright for the old country. There
were young men present, born in this
country and in Nashville, but whose
hearts have delighted from infancy in
the quaint legends Of the lands Of their
fathers, the patriotism Of many Of it's
heroes and greatest Of all the martyrdom
of Robert Emmett, known to history as
the Irish patriot, but to Irishmen as the
man who died for his country and his
friends. There were old ladies there
whose sympathies and sentiments were
those Of the aged husband or brother.
and last, but not least, there we're bonny
sweethearts in abundance, q sight of
whom would allow no one to along to
see the girl I left behisd."
The occasion was under the auspices
OF the Hibernian Benevolent Society.
The programme was arranged and Sc
lected with the best Of taste, and was
rendered with eminent ability. Mr..
Chas P. Hogan as master Of cere-
monies, presided in manner accept
able to all, and added much to the
pleasure Of the occasion.
The programme rendered was as fol
love-: ..Emmet's Last Words" song by
quartette, composed Of Messrs. Prem
dergast, Conner, Jordon and Hogan;
vocal solo, John J.O'Hars; banjo solo,
Tim O Connell; vocal solo Kerry Dance
j. P. Cooney; reading, E. B. Martin;
vocal solo, "Come Back to Erin"
Prendergast; reading, J. M. McC ormack:
vocal solo, George Conner; remarks,
our Chaplain; vocal solo, NJ. J. Sullivan;
duet, Jordan brothers; vocal solo, NJ. j.
Lafey; address, by James A. Kllielea;
vocal solo, Father O'Neil; trial scene
from play Of Robert Emmett Robert
Emmett, Chas, p. Murphy; Lord Nor
bury, NJ. ]. Martin. The address Of
Mr.. Killelea, as President Of the Hi
bernian Benevolent Society, was the
feature of the evening. It was listened
to with marked attention aad greeted
with bursts of applause. Mr.. Killelea
said:
"a few days ago the people Of one of
the worlds mighty nations celebrated
with booming guns and flying colors the
birthday of one to whom, under God,
the American people attribute all their
greatness and all their prosperity, for it
was the flash OF his sword that lighted
their fathers path to liberty.
aMassive in figure, rough hewn in
character, George Washington was one
whose heroic proportions of mind and
body forbid the consideration of minute
defects. The hammer of the Continen
tai Congress, he smashed the British
crown and pitched its fragments into the
Atlantic wave. Rising above the selfish
ambition OF Bonaparte, he preferred
the simple dignity of the American citi-
zen to all the tawdry trappings OF prof
fered royalty.
I With the valor OF the soldier, hecom-
bined an honest heart, q clear intellect
and strong frame. fttingly the persona
fication of liberty triumphant. While the
fame Of patriotism glows within the hui
man breast and freemen dare be free, SO
long shall the memory Of Washington
live to cheer the patriot and poiut the
road to liberty.
ssThere is another name dear to the
hearts OF freemen; the name, not indeed,
Of one wearing the laurels Of victory on
his brow, but one who bears the martyrs
palm: OF one whu illustrated in his life
and death the saying of the Savior,
Greater love hath no man shown than
this, that he gave up his life for his
friend Ireland was Robert Emmet's