The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-03-18
ANCIENT ORDERS FEAST.
Loyal Sentiments and Stirring Songs
Followed the Menu.

/
sions Of the kind which have marked
the history of the order in Savannah.
There were 30 members and guests in
attendance. representing all trades ana
professions. The addresses were eloquent
and patriotic. The opening address by
National President O'Connor was one or
the best efforts Of his life and excited ire
mendous applause.
The members began TO gather I'm the
club rooms at s O'Clock. At 9 O'Clock
the doors leading TO the banqueting hall
We're thrown open and the members took
their seats at the tables The decora-
tons OF the room consisted of Irish and
American flags.
County President John J. Morrissey oc-
cupied the post OF honor as tOastmas-
ter. on his right was Mr.. +. J. O'COn-
nor, national president, and on his left
Mr.. NJ. A. Connolly. both speakers Of the
evening. substantial dinner, with all
the necessary accessories, was served by
9ir. IhomaS Hal1gan. The members
showed their appreciation of il by giving
II their exclusive attention for the best
part of an hour.
Shortly before 10 O'Clock Mr.. Morris
sey raped for order. Fellow Hibern.-
ans he said I'VE have gathered here
tonight for the purpose Of celebrating
me anniversary of our patron, and OF
lrishmen the world over, the glorious ST.
Patrick. My heart sWells with pride as
view thls gathering. A finer sight was
never seen in our grand old city Of Sa-
Ndhhah than our parade to-day. 1t dem
onstrated that the grand faith preached
n
trust that by our next anniversary our
membership may be doubled, yes, quad
rupled.
"As the best means of increasing the
strength of the order and interest in its
work Mr.. Morrissey suggested the forms-
uon OF ladies' auxiliary, which sugges-
ton was received with applause
National President O'Connor was intro
duced by the chairman to respond to
me 1rst toast, The Day We Celebrate"
Mr; OConnor first congratulated the four
Il csfN1a laF.,l,
they had made in the morning parade 1T
was a gala day for Hibernianism in Sa-
was full of fiery eloquence. which arous-
ed his audience to the highest pitch of
enthusiasm. His speech in full would be
oi seheraI interest, but Il was impossi-
PIE 10 catch more than fragmentary por-
tons of it,
Attracted by silent music. which
touches not the ear, but the heart" he
said, I'VE have gathered here to do honor
to the memory Of our noble patron No
monument marks his grave. but every
church is a monument to his memory.
Wherever the shamrock grows his spirit
breathes. To-day, especially, Irishmen,
the world over, turn toward their birth
place. The faith OF ST. Patrick has be
come part of their existence, and twin
ed itself around their national life. From
the time Christianity and Ireland were
welded, the two principles uppermost in
tho Irish heart have been love of re-
ligion and love of country. Although
scattered in far distant lands, the cause
of Ireland Is still dear to their hearts,"
Mr.. O'COnnOr said that while the senti-
ments of his hearers might be very strong
in behalf of their birthplace or the BIRTH
place of their fathers the important fact
must be borne in mind that their homes
were in this country and that they were
inseparably linked with its progress and
advancement. He spoke strongly on this
line and said that Irishmen would at
all times assert their right to share in
every defense of American institutions.
lie adduced history TO prove their fidelity
and their readiness to devote their lives
to the service of this country. "Our peo-
pie have died for this country but have
never betrayed it," said Mr. O'Connor
He spoke at some length of the fanati-
cism which animates a certain movement
to deprive citizens of irish blood of their
rights, and predicted that I'VE will re-
main here when this accursed fanati-
cism, like other follies of the past is
laid away in its forgotten and unhallow-
ed tomb
In speaking in conclusion of the future
of Ireland Mr.. O'Connor declared that a
policy of broad craftsmanship on the part
of English leaders would point to the
freedom and independence of Ireland as
their wisest course.
Mr.. O'Connor's address aroused the
most enthusiastic applause throughout.
MIR. f. j. Carney sang the Irish Sol
der" and won such applause from his
audience that he was compelled to respond
to an encore with the streets of New
York." the crowd joining in the chorus.
Mr. NJ. A. Connolly responded TO tho
He discussed the history of the settle
ment of this country, showing that its
colonies We're founded by men whose
main thought was to establish homes
where they would be assured civil ana
religious liberty, and that the separation
from the mother country was for the
purpose of maintaining these principles.
He showed how carefully these rights are
guarded in the constitution of the United
States and of the several states.
while we devote this day." he said.
ito the remembrance of st. Patrick and
Ireland let us not forget to do honor to
the glorious country in which it is our
happy lot to be located. The Irishman
who left his native country to settle
here may rejoice in the reflection that.
though thousands of miles separate him
from his birthplace, he IS no interloper;
this country is his by virtue of the part
Irishmen took in its early settlement and
the seven years fight against the En-
glish to gain its independence, and by
virtue of Irishmen's military valor in
three successive wars which were Waged
in order to maintain that independence.
These men are no exiles, meeting on a
forign strand to weep and wall at the
wide gulf that separates them from the
land of their birth and to make.
the salty ocean stil saltier with their
homesick tears. They are here ENJOYING
the heritage that was acquired for them
by the heroic deeds of those Irishmen
who fought with Washington for the in
dependence of the states and the liberties
and rights OF mankind. This heritage, so
nobly won. was bequeathed in trust by
those gallant Irishmen to their descend
ents and such of their countrymen who
might settle here; and we are here to-
day, not as strangers, not as intruders.
not as aliens, but as pure and patriotic
citizens; legatees of this great hereditary
trust, ready to administer it on the high
and patriotic lines marked out for us.
and by peaceable means to defend it
from pollution or attack; nay, even by
force and with our very lives if neces-
sary to preserve it inviolate We love
this land, to which we trace our title
clear, and we also love the land that
gave our fathers birth. Let us be true 10
both, never failing to exert ourselves i'm
maintaining the integrity of the republic.
the brightest and most glorious example
of such form of government ever i'm ex-
| istence. Here We the sons of Irishmen.
will achieve our greatest tri-
umphs; here we will accom-
| plish our most glittering successes,
! here we will execute our grandest work
/ and here we will realize the fruition OF
/ our fondest hopes and most extravagant
/ expectations; and let us hope that within
4 fifty years, or even sooner the narrow
/ ness and prejudice OF those who now lool,
askance upon our onward march NAV he
/ so softened or eradicated. that one of our
/ sons may occupy the office of the chief
/ magistrate. realizing TO the fullest The
/ feeling that animated the trainers of the
.