The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-03-19

Fewcett; 13S John Lynch; 139. A. X.
Stephen: 140. r. W. Powers; IA, John
Schley; 142. W F. Reid; 1is, A. r.. Faw-
cett; IA. J. F. Lewis; rs, A. b. Moore;
l46, John ". Golden
During the dinner Prof Icons orches-
ira rendered some classic, but lively Sc
lectiOns- Appropriate selections were rem
dered also after each of the tOasts.
The success of the dinner and the admir-
able manner in which the details were per-
fected and carried out was due almost en-
tirely to the efforts of the societys stew
ards, Messrs. NJ. A. O'Byrne, Arthur J.
O'Hara and ]. w. Golden.
The intellectual feast began about II
O'Clock. Mr. NJ. A. O'Byrne, chairman of
the stewards, said as the hour was late he
would not detain the company by reading
the many letters Of regret received, but he
mentioned number OF the kilograms of
congratulations received from sister socie-
ties. He introduced the president, Maj.
p. w Meldrin, who responded to the first
regular toast est. Patrick's Day"
Maj. Meldrin's response was in his US
ual characteristic eloquent style. He
welcomed the guests and visitors in the
name Of the society. He paid a high trib-
ute to those who celebrate St Patrick $
day. America, he SAID, should honor Ire
land. for in Americas day of tribulation
Ireland was true to her cause. In con-
GLIDING Maj. Meldrin paid a pleasant
tribute to Gen. A. r. Lawton. and said
he could do nothing better than to call
on him TO add to what he had already
said in response to the toast.
Gen. Lawton mentioned some interest
ing "reminiscences Of a Hfbernian Society
dinner given in the Catholic library hall
fifty-one years ago, which was the first he
attended. His references to former mem
bers of the society and Incidents he told
in connection with them evoked much
applause from his hearers. In conclusion
he proposed toast to the memory of the
men Of fifty years ago. The toast was
warmly applauded, and it was drank
standing.
Mr.. P. a. Stovall was greeted by enthu-
siastic applause, when he arose after an
introduction by President p. w Meldrim.
to respond to the toast Our Invited
Guests" He referred to the first time he
had been an invited guest of the society,
four years ago when he said, Hon. Pat
rick Walsh was his associate. HE re-
turned" said the speaker, ''to become
senator; 1 preferred to become a Savan-
nathan" He spoke of Irishmen as Ameri-
cas- invited guests, the hospitality that
had been shown them. and the patriotism
with which these invited guests had al
ways defended their adopted home. 1t
was now difficult, he said, to distinguish
between an American and an Irishman.
Mr.. Stovalls response was one of the
brightest of the evening and his references
to Irish patriotism in Americas behalf
were received with warm appreciation.
Hon. Rufus e. Lester was handsomely
greeted when he arose to respond to the
toast THE United States" The little
twig planted by the founder and father
of the republic had grown, he said, to be
giant oak. He spoke of its marvellous
growth. and the fact that Ireland had
rrfx = .Fc
and most patriotic citizens. Col. Testers
response was apt and applicable, coming
as it did from the first distriots's distin-
guished congressman.
Mr.. Samuel b. Adams said in begin
ing his response to the toast to 1.-THE
Press that he had a very large subject.
He spoke of its use, power and abuse, and
referred to the great constitutional lib
erty which was conferred upon 1T by al
most all legislative bodies Fortunate
was the community. Mr.. Adams said,
where its newspapers sought to uphold
its moral and material welfare,
and where the press was not actuated
solely by desire to extend its circulation
or for mercenary gain. Mr.. Adams re-
Spouse was a beautiful piece of eloquence,
and he held his hearers to the end.
In introducing Col. Geo. A. Mercer, who
responded to the toast, Savannah"
Maj Meldrim referred to him as one
whom all Savannahians delight to honor
Col. Mercer spoke of the characteristics
of a great city, speaking especially Of the
advanced school system needed. He re-
ferred with pain, he said, to the present
ments of the recent grand jury which
found fault with the school board on ac-
count of what it called its extravaganza,
because it built one of the only respecta-
BILE looking schools of the city with
an ornamental front The people
of such a city. he said, do not want their
children educated with the morals of the
circus and the manners of the hut. Savan-
nah, he said, possessed many of the ele-
ments of a great city such as he had
sketched, but there was much that it still
lacked 1t needed, he said, more liberal
and progressive public spirit. 1t is as
necessary, he said, to cultivate the spirit
and the emotions as 1T is to train the in
tellect. Every citizen. he said, could at
least do something toward the cultivation
of this benehcent municipal spirit Col
Mercer made a strong appeal for such
a spirit among Savannahians. His re-
Spouse was strong one and in his charac-
teristic eloquent and patriotic style
The Hibernian society ever welcomes her
sister societies, Maj. Meldrim said and
especially was this so when the toast was
to be responded to by Judge A. H. Mac
Donell. Judge MaeDonell made a bright
Societies.
His toast to the sister societies was
filled with the characteristic humor OF
his after-dinner responses, which are
sought at many a banquet board. He re-
ferred, too, to the noble charities of these
societies, and the worthy and noble SEN
timents which were inculcated in the
minds of their members and their assoc
GATES Judge MacDonell was enthusiast
At he o1a
ion of his response.
Georgia was ably and worthily rep
resented in the response to the toast to
the southern empire state by Judge Will
liam D. Harden. Through her statesmen
patriots and her worthy citizens. he
said, Georgia has helped to make this
great nation what she is. The nation. he
said had learned that the Atlantic ocean
washed the shores of Georgia as well as
those of states of the north, and that her
ports were the most convenient for the
shipment of the products of a larp,e seq