The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-17
A Tribute to the Hercism and
Virtue of the Irish
People.
John ]. Jarrett Tells of the Ancient
Struggles for the Cross and
Efforts for Liberty.

Temple last evening. The hall was
crowded and the musical and other num-
bers on the programme were enthusiast
caLly encored.
On the stage were seated Jerome Deasy,
president of Division IL; F. G.. Peterson,
vice-president; E. J. Harmon, recording
secretary; P ]. Kelleher financial secre-
tary, and Thomas Mcbride, treasurer;
also Rev. Father Crowley, Thomas R.
iBannerman, Charles Blair Flanagan,
Grattan D. Phillips, NJ. ]. Wrin, John ].
Barrett, John Kenny and others.
Y After an overture of Irish airs on the
grand organ by Professor r. ]. Harrison,
Captain Jerome Deasy,. county president
a. o. H. of America, made a few opening
remarks, in which he gave some interest
ing facts concerning the order in the
United States. In 1895 the membership
was $780, and to-day it is more than
Q double that number. The order had paid
out for benefits $345, 76S, for burying de-
ceased members $S6,o25, for burying
deceased wives of mem oers $11, 295. There
was $545, 216 in the treasury.
William Hynes followed with several
character songs and very clever mono
logue, which kept the audience in good
. humor. Mr.. Hynes had good voice. we'll
under control, and a keen sense of the
humorous, with decided talent for in
terpre ting it.
Miss Katherine Black sang a soprano
solo and displayed a rich, mellow voice
with Iibrato which rather enhanced it
than otherwise. 1t was a sentimental
song, and for an encore she sang pretty
Irish ballad.
Miss Clara G. Leonard showed good
training as pianist in her selections from
AZ l.
Come Back to Erin" with ripping vari-
atoms. Her selections were very favora-
bly, received.
AS reader Miss Fanny Black displayed
marked ability in her description of an
eventful occasion in the aristocratic church
of 'Rastus Brown. The reader was inter-
rupted with a round of merriment when
the lines spoke of the pastor, "DT. Brown"
and of Brother Sharkey being appointed
as committee to wait upon the old-fogy
brother who persisted in singing with the
high-toned choir. Miss Black read the
pathetic lines with rare feeling and ex-
preston.
NJ. Grennan played a cornet solo very
acceptablv, and thrilled the audience
with Fshillarney," "Last Rose of Sum-
mer" and other selections.
Mrs. S. J. Tully sang THE Three Leaves
of Shamrock with much feeling.
The chief feature of the entertainment
was an address By John ]. Barrett. Mr..
Barrett's effort was an able one, and was
deserving tribute TO the virtue and
heroism of the sons and daughters of the
Emerald Isle.
After expatiating upon the religious
history of Ireland, and her devotion to
the church, Mr.. Barrett said:
The Irish never lost their nationality. The
mighty Danes landed on their shore resolved
that not vestige should survive of all their
-frf, Iad x-ao thafr fal1
design. Not only did they not succeed, but
they were themselves entirely absorbed and
lived to embrace the Irish language Iris b Gus
toms, Ire .ands religion, and became more
Irish than the Irish themselves. When the
Romans conquered England they framed her
laws and induced in her their character. The
same took place in Gaul, in Greece and Italy.
Ireland is the exception. England stole her
Parliament and waGed war upon her nation
atty Tor centuries, but all ii vain, for it still
survives.
Prompt and fearless in the service of their
motherIand Irishmen have been to the front
in every land where righteous cause needed
q sturdy ard steadfast friend Countless bat
tlefieIds Of Europe felt their value. France
and Spain ana England and Austria divide
the honors of their greatest triumphs with
warriors from Ireland. At Waterloo $4,000 OF
them took brave and telling part.
en- through the camp the column trod; King
Louis turns his rein;
"Not yet, my Heke," SAKE lnterposed, "ihe IRISH
troops remain"
And Fontenoy. famed Fontenoy had been
Waterloo
Were not those e11les ready then, fresh, vehement
and true.
But never did the hosts of heaven crowding
thick around its baitlements. look down with
ela6dened souls upon nobler band or cheer
with lusty shouts OF JOY, more fl t companions
OF their bliss than the Irishmen and the sons
of Irfshmen who, with Washington and Lin
coin and Grant and Sherman, made and pre-
served US Nation. In our fearful struggle
for Independence they rendered effective
service in every engagement.
More than half the Revolutionary soldiers
were OF Irish blood, fact attested by unques-
toned authority. Not content 10 take ordi-
nary part they organized many brigades CON-
posed exclusively OF Ir1shmen.
In 1863 Franklin wrote from London that
Ireland strongly favored the Colonial cause.
In IT'S Congress wrote a letter to The Irish
people full or gratitude for the distinguished
service of her children. General Montgomery,
who fell in glory at Quebec, was born in Ire
land John Hancock was of Irish ancestors.
John Rutledge, commander-ln-ch1et in South
Carolina, was a native son OF Ireland, and
TO urteen signers of the Declaration OF INDIE
nendence were of Irish blood. Not less distin-
3esuished was their service in the Civil War and
jnseperably united with the triumph OF the
ITnio1 are the names OF Shields and Kearney,
Corcoran and Meagher, Moore and Logan,
Sheridan and Sherman.
4 nation like an individual, treasures that
possession most which 1t has toiled and sui
Tered the greatest to secure. AS the favored
child is always he Wnom accident or sickness
most frequently assailed, whose Life and
health cos I his loving M otner years OF worry
care and toll, so no object claims nations
love like that preserved in blood and death
Ireland and her faith have struggled for their
very lie Tor centuriesl Representing 1000
wears of excruclaung suffering and measure
less sacrifice they hold a. place in the heart OF
the Gels which only they who have read the
tragic history OF Ireland can understand
The SURPRISING vigor of the love OF the irish
man for faith and fatherland are the direct
result of the unequaled rigor OF the test to
which they were put lreland's glorious mis-
sion was determined from her birth. Ohe
means alone could make her worthy OF ner
destiny, establish clearly her superior title
and secure its undistu rbed possession. Af1ic-
ton was that test, and Ireland stood 1t with I'M
perishable glory.
triumph after the sad example OF so many
other nations the Irish people will forget their
cod or lose their pure, disinterested love OF
ireland and its interests. These th ousand
veg re have anchored their ia it'll and patriotism
deep and fast.
What greater glory, what richer posses
sfons. what more magnificent record can
nafion coyet? Though trodde en- under foot for
centuries, though chained and gagged and
butcbered the Irish race has shown the world
the noblest example OF fidelity to God and
mofherlapd that il has ever seen. II we view
the marca OF nations from the low and clouded
hin OF material considerations lreland's
present rank may not be prominent. But