The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1896-03-18
KNIGHTS OF ST. PATRICK
THEIR PATRON SAINT TOASTED
WIT and BRILLIANCY.

|
Speeches by Prominent Guests and Mem
bers of the Society--The Finest Celebra-
ton Every Participated in by the Local
Society.
The weather man was just little
off on his contribution to st. Patricl's
day, but this did not prohibit all of New
Haven's citizens of Irish birth and their
| descendants from looking back on the
day as one of the most enjoyable that
it has been their lot to enjoy. The day
was one that could be enjoyed by all;
the sun shone with great brightness all
day long and the streets were thronged
with those who wore the green. Many
of the promenaders wore the shamrocks
sent from the old cour try. The sons
Of the Emerald Isle and their descend
ants enjoyed the day and in the evening
the different societies toasted the
patron saint.
The Friendly Sons banquetted at the
Majestic, While the members Of the
knights of st. Patrick drank to the
memory of the friend of their native
land at the New Haven house. Good
cheer and jollity reigned supreme and
song and wit flowed in rythmetic ac-
cord.
1t was the nineteenth annual banquet.
Colonel 7. f. Callahan was postmaster
and his happy introduction of the
speakers who responded to the toasts
at once set them at ease. When cigars
had been passed the president, William
! Neely, addressed words of welcome to
his brother knights and their guests.
PRESIDENT NEELY'S ADDRESS.
Brother Knights-Again, and for the
third time, an honor never before con-
ferred upon member of this society, l
bid you welcome to our annual banquet.
Eighteen years ago few of the pio-
neers of our race in New Hayen, meet
ing with some of the younger blood,
determined to celebrate in a becoming
manner the anniversary of Ireland's
patron saint; and then and there as
sumed the name of the Knights of st.
! Patrick.
The first banquet was celebrated by
| them. There shone there the bright.
keen Intelligence of the young, whose
sterling efforts were applauded by the
warm hearts that beat beneath the ro-
bust forms of the older members pres
ent.
| From this small beginning we have
grown to hundreds, so that we are al
most unable to find accommodations
4 for our numbers. Yes. great banquets
of which we are proud, great receptions
where grace and beauty is the rule,
rather than the exception; summer out
ings, or ladies' day, where fun galore
gladdens the hearts OF all; spirited
| meetings in our cosy quarters that
speak of the life and the love of the
knights of St Patrick.
We are an organization of which we
all feel proud, for in it we have, or
should have, but one object, as the pre-
amble to our constitution beautifully
sets forth. Now, If you will, keep this
society as it is, keep everything outside
save that feeling of respect for each
| other as descendants of one common
origin with but one keen object in view
the agitation of the claims of Ireland
for unity, self government and inde-
pendence.
But, Brother knights, in the glory of
the day we are reminded that we are all
human Our ranks have been thinned
as the Omnipotent has called from
amongst us the good, the brave, the
true-brave knights who left behind
them examples for us to follow and
whom we earnestly hope will enjoy the
/ Nf, In cfi in, a
world beyond.
| With these remarks let me again call
you from the consideration of the sor-
rowful to the contemplation of the joy
full May you enjoy each moment of
this night to the limit and may each
succeeding anniversary be, if possible,
greater than the one just past May
| we leave behind us for our successors
great and glorious name for the
knights of St Patrick, and by our con-
duct thus rendered keep alive the fires
of faith for the Gem of the Sea, and
ere long may we all be able to see the
sunburst of Erin on it's field of gold,
entwined with the heaven born banner
of the United States-the representa-
tives of two glorious republics.
Again bid you welcome! and please
| observe
when Mother Earth is dry she drinks
The droppings of the sky,
And then the dewy cordial gives
To every thirsty plant that lives.
Since natures holy law is drinking,
I'll make the law of nature mine
And pledge the universe in wine"
This was followed by song by
| Micheal Dillon
Then came 1.-The Day We Celebrate"
by the Rev. John F. Corcoran.
"The United States" by ex-Congress-
man James p Pigott, was received with
applause. This was supplemented with
a song by Riley Phillips, jr.
THE Knights of st. Patrick was
next treated by William NJ. Geary.
DIR. Francis Bacon's remarks on "a
Political Experiment and its Results
was one of the most enthusiastically
received speeches of the evening.
This was followed by the "State of
| Connecticut" by Thomas H. Smith.
Then came one of the greatest events