Birmingham age-herald., 1895-03-06
EMMET'S MEMORY
Honored in Song and Story by
His Countrymen.
A GALA NIGHT AT O'BRIEN'S
Rev. Father Days Tribute to
the Patriotic. T. DozIer'S
Original Poem.
EMnET'S MEMORY
A GALA NIGHT AT o'BRIEN'S

The birthday of Robert Emmett was GEL
ebrated last night at O'Brien's opera
house, when the Irish citizens of the city
aid great honor t9 the beloved and la
mented patriot.
A large audience was present aud the
stage was beautifully decorated with the
colors of Ireland.
Mr.. John w. O'Neill presided, and upon
the stage were Rev. Fathers O'Reiliy,
Muerer and Daily, Mayor VanHoose, Hon.
Jahu Ward, Maj. P. K. McMiller, Mr.. NJ.
M. Boggan and others.
The programme of the evening was
opened with few remarks by Mr.. O'Neill,
who followed them up by reading the fol-
lowing telegram from Hon. F. ?. O'Brieu:
NEW YORK, February 5, 1896.
To The Emmett Club, care Hugh Nc Geever at
+ o. Bren's Opera House:
"Slainthe vaha agus slainthe mai
again. Am. with you in spirit aud regret
can't be there tonight to fill my accustomed
place. God bless one and all and may He
each individual member to the end that
you reflect credit on the dear old land OF
our birth. Love to Father DAILY. "Ban-
inaet last.'' FRANK p. O'BRIEN.
( An overture was then played by Grambs'
orchestra, which was followed by the read.
ing of an original poem, ''Harp OF Erin, -
by DR.. Dozier, as follows:
THE FLAG AND HARP OF ERIN.
|, dedicated In reverence and with affec-
tion to the memory of Rev. Father A. j.
Ryan, our south's beloved, patriotic poet
priest, whose sweet aud soui-inspiring
songs shall ever shed a halo of glory over
that "Fallen Banner'' OF my own south
Ia md (which like tha tEtan Of Erin ~
represents those sublime principles ever
enshrined in the hearts OF all true lovers of
''Truth, Justice and Liberty, - and which,
heaven born, will never die
While suns and moons resplendent roll
And God regards PATRIOTS soul
Sons of old Erin. grand is the story
Which history tells OF your land and her
glory.
Is the name of her Emmet-hor brightest and
best.
A martyr of freedom, he sleeps with the dead,
But his name, never dying, will eternally she'd
lustre of glory on the land OF his birth,
And his fame be undimmed by any OF earth.
For his country he lived, for his country he
died,
And wherever on earth true patriots abide
His praise will be sung and his glorious name
viii shine like star In the temple OF fame
Yes, grand Is the story of your land in the
past,
But brighter and grander twill be at the last,
For Washington" yet tor your country
And the sunburst of freedom shall brighten
her skies.
Yea, thousands of hearts are p anting today
For leader TO rise and lead them away
Across the wide to their own native isle,
There to sweep from her shores The foes who
detle.
And the God of all justice Heavens high
leader will send and way will make
known
BY which your .'Green Flag shall in triumph
yet wave
Ger your ocean bound isle. the land of the
brave.
Let it fioat to the breeze as it fioated of yore
In the land d Of your fathers, so blessed by
Ere the foot OF tyrant had sulIied its sod
In the sunlight of Heaven its coiors display,
For down through the ages with centuries old
1t comes without stain on its-green and its
gold.
Uprear it aloftl Yes, spread it on high
That the saints whom ye love looking down
To this bright land Ian of freedom-the land of its
May send it their blessings on the H eaven-
lent winds.
What tho the old flag for ages exiled,
stranger mid strangers, by tyrants reviled ;,
Is forced yet while an outcasf to rove.
By the grace of your God that flag shall yet
prove
"a pillar of fire., to lead you again
To the home of your fathers your rights to
regain.
Then woe TO the tyrants who stand in your
way,
For vengeance is God's and your wrongs
He'll repay.
Then string We the harm attune IL again
Let the rapturous notes of your country's re-
frain
Break forth in wild numbers your hearts to
AID with glory resoundlng your souls set on
fire
With the heart burning wrath that patriots
When stung by disdain or crushed by the heel
OF despots who laugh while they rivet the
And mock with their scorn the fallen ones
pains.
Yesl string the old harp. let its music be
Till the soul of each Celt with emotion is
stirred
For freedom ard justios, for God and the
right
Till shoulder to shoulder in ranks they unite
Beneath the old banner so long an exile,
| And with eyes steady fixed on their evergreen
isle
They shall march to its music and bear o'er
| The flag of old Erin to its home. sweet home.
! Mr.. John F. Harrington then rendered a
| pleasing violin solo, which was followed
| by a vocal solo, "The Last Rose OF Sum-
mer, by Miss Alice Falion. She sang
| beautifully and received an encore.
Miss Bessie O'Brien followed with a
beautiful vocal selection, and was raptur-
| ousIy applauded.
The next number was q vocal solo, "Say
An Revoir, But Not Good, Bye," by Miss