The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-18

light OF that knowledge it seems pertinent
to ask, What has St. Patrick done for
Ireland? The observer who views the poy--
erty and wretchedness of the island would
be constrained 10 say Nothing in answer to
the question. Many of US have seen the
country, and | can speak from personal ex-
perience. Ireland is poor. One would make
a great mistake in going to Ireland to see
wealth and the Injuries and conveniences
that wealth can buy: but he would see the
beauties of nature in their greatest perfec-
ton. In ireland you see ruins and ruin.
they can call their own to lay heads in re-
pose, and the prospect is no better for the
near future. If, then, we ask. What has
st. Patrick done for Ireland?' we cannot
say that he has made a rich and prosperous
people In fact, the people are SO poor that
the happiest hour in the life of an Irish
Gatholic IN his own land is the hour of his
death. he has no regret at leaving his
property behind and going where he will
be with God and Gods angels.
What has st. Patrick done for Ireland?
81. Patrick has done more for Ireland than
all the millionaires and multi-millionaires
in the world could do. He has done for ire
land what no mere human agency could do.
am speaking to a Christian audience,
whose first and greatest thought is for
their future welfare, and as such / shall
have no difficulty in making them under
stand why st. Patrick has done what mill
buy this worlds luxuries, but he can never
buy eternal salvation. st. Patrick brought
this inestimable treasure. That is all very
good, some will gay, but what has st. Pat
rick done for Ireland that we can see to-
day? If We must die to understand and
see, why are we celebrating? He gave
them something else. He gave them that
peculiar character which is the proper and
Gniy e eharsafar f % o q true mi brlIsmaac The e
is this that makes the people.
and ST.. Patrick made it. 1t is
Irish people continue to be a distinct race,
although the English have taken from them
their language and their freedom; but the
English can never take from them the
Irish traits"
He then read some extracts from the
writings of Froude. whom he characterized
history. He read three extracts, the first
from Froude's English in Ireland in
people were incapable of self-government;
another from an article by the same pen,
printed in the September, 1880, number Of
the Nineteenth Century, in which Froude
eulogized the Irish and asked what the
world would be if all the names of Irish
people were to be eliminated from the po-
litical and scientific history; and the third
from a novel printed in 1889, in which
Froude characterized the Irish people as
tracts and commenting on them singly he
said: There are three Froudes. and | call
them three frauds"
Mayor Denny then introduced Father
Dowd, of ST. Anthony's Church., of Haugh-
vile. His talk was mostly confined to the
history of ireland and the Irish people.
He recounted the concessions made by KIM
William by the treaty of Limerick. and
which King William violated almost as
soon as the ink was dry on the paper.
The s Dry was continued until the present
time. and the history OF the present strug,,
gle for home rule was told. Father Dowd
Is a very pleasing speaker, and his story,
although familiar to most of his hearers,
was listened TO with undivided attention
This closed the programme as arranged.
but Mayor Denny had previously announced
that others were there whom the audience
would, no doubt, like TO hear, and as soon
as Father Dowd took his seat there were
loud calls for Father O'Donaghue, who re-
sponded in one of his characteristic speech
es. filled with sharp and witty savings. He
said there was no doubt that If St. Pat
rick could be placed in nomination for the
highest Office within the gift OF this city
Mayor Denny would be retired at the next
election. The floor has been swept clean,
he declared, 'sby the other speakers, and
/ hardly know what to say or where to
Begin Nevertheless, he did say something
and kept the audience laughing most of tie
time he held the floor. He was followed oy
several others, who made short addresses.