The San Francisco call., 1896-03-17
Celebrations in Honor of the
Motherland and St.
Patrick.
MUSIC, SONG AND 0RAToRY
Father Ferguson'S Eloquent Address
on the Glory and Achievement
of the Celtic Race.

can FRANCISCO Will Wdhe up Onie0u
States this morning, but it is likely to
go to bed Irish to-night-for it is st. Pat
rick's day and every Ilishman wilt extend
the glad hand to his neighbor. The cele-
bration of the apostolic anniversary, which
is observed generally by the Celtic race as
national holiday really began last night
with entertainments of a musical and Ut
erary character.
The entertainment held in Metropolitan
Temple last night under the auspices OF
the Christian Doctrine Society, was an un-
alloyed success.
Rev. ]. P. Ferguson's Grafton was the
feature of the evening, but the large au-
dience found nothing to criticize other
than favorably in the exercises which pre-
ceded and followed his address.
The programme was carried out as fol-
lows:
Organ selections, Professor f. ]. Harrison
recitation, prayer to ST. Patrick Miss Emma
Himmelstoss; chorus, ''Up for the Green, "
Hogan and Miss Annie Mcdonnell, accom-
panist Miss Edna Honn; tenor solo, 1.-The Min
strel Boy" Harry Dinan; song and march,
Companies A and B, Erin Choral Cadets; vocal
soprano solo, .Killarney,'' Mrs. ]. R. Kent
zeu; violin solo, "Spanische Tame" Frank
Hess, accompanist Miss Julia Heffernan
tenor solo, "Asthore," R. D. Vallerga; "Co-
lumbia and krin,'' poem written for this oc-
caslon by Miss Harriet NJ Skldmore (Marie)
Columbia, Miss Rosella la Faille; Erin, Miss
C0rnella Stanley; chorus and march, mem berS
OF Erin Choral Circle; flag dance, Misses Ethel
and Viola Winters; accompanist, Miss Alicia
q. Cullen; contralto solo lselectedl, Mrs: Stan
ley Griffin; accompanist Miss Purcell; sketch,
Parting from Erin; eharacters-Nora. Miss
Katie Collum; Barney, William Gillogley:
tenor solo lselected), b. Manlloyd; recitation
Gselected) Miss Anna Daly; quintet. "Kath-
leen Mavourneen,' Mrs.-McKee Wilz, Mrs. ]. B.
Bruce, Miss NJ. F. Code, James Lane, Joseph
Fogarty; cornet solo, Last Rose of Summer" /"
John Z. Kennedy; recitation tseleeted), Frank
McGlynn; chorus, "St. Patrick's Day." Erin
Choral Circle.
The Rev. Mr.. Ferguson spoke in sub
stance as follows:
1t has been said that no pen has ever done
justice to Ireland's patron saint.
When ST. Patrick landed on the shores OF
Ireland he found people at once Ignorant
and honest. He converted them 10 Christianity
blood. The day which is devoted to his
memory brings a feeling of loyalty TO every
Irish heart. He taught them not only Chris
tianity, but the principles of patriotism and
Christian faith and national aspiration.
In one hand he had the gospel and in the
other the constitution OF human rights and
liberty. He instllled in the hearts OF all
1rishmen the love OF equality and liberty.
There is a certain fitness in celebrating st.
Patrick's day in this country. II bears direct
connection with the historical incidents of
this country. Washington, the great. won a
grand victory on the 18th OF March, and in
recognition OF the valor OF the Celts who were
in his grand army he ordered that the pass
month should be ''St. Patrick"
Ireland has always been the loyal friend of
America. Every Irishman in the United States
IS lover of liberty. and most of them have
borne arms in defense of their adopted coun-
tryis liberty.
sitter referring to the great work of Ire
lands apostle in converting the people to
Christianity, ETC., then relations OF Ireland
with this Republic were dwelt on.
Never in this Repu blic's history have the men
OF Irish birth restricted themselves in America s
hour OF peril TO expressions of good will. When
our Continental Congress was powerless, and
our troops were starving at Valley Forge. the
most unstinted contributions for the support
OF the Continental army came from the friendly
sons of ST. Patrick in Philadelp phla; and ac-
cording TO the testimony taken on the conduct
of the revolutionary war before a committee
of the House OF Commons, half OF the Conti-
mental army serving on the side OF the revolt
ing colonies were men who had been born in
Ireland.
1t is impossible to overrate the magnitude of
our National Indebtedness to the Irish. When
we were weak they were strong, and in our
struggle for independence they threw the
whole moral weight OF Ireland on our side.
had by 1882 become universal and outspoken,
and il was their insubordinate and mutin-
Gus attitude which, more than the sur
render of CORVALLIS, and more eten
European powers, wrung from George III q
reluctant acquiescence in the loss OF colonies
which he rightly considered the jewels OF his
crown. The enemies of Irishmen are now as
they have always been, the enemies of Amer
lea. The only friends America has in England
to-day are those who are determined TO deal
ho Iris no Rrir ish
aristocrats, VINO are infexibly opposed to
granting Ireland self government, are the
same men who TO-DAY view with malignant
hate the interference of this country in behalf
They are the children of the men who desired
the recognition of the Confederacy, not from
any particular love OF the south, but more
from hatred of the North and eagerness to dis
rt1pt the Union. They are the descendants OF
the men who in the early days OF this century
kidnapped our sailors and destroyed our COM
merce; and who in the resultant war commit
ted acts of vandalism ct Washington, such as
they would have been ashamed to have perpe-
trated in any European capital.
The afternoon exercises attending the
celebration of st. Patrick's day at Wood
wards Pavilion will begin promptly at
o'clock. There will be second celebra-
ton in the evening commencing at s
o'clock. Irish music will be rendered con-
tinuously during the afternoon and even
ing. The celebrations promise to exceed
ali previous efforts of the kind.
Among the other celebrations announced
to take place this evening are the follow
ing:
The twenty-seventh annual ball of the
Knights of the Red Branch will be given
in Odd Fellows Hall.
The Young Ladies Sodality of st. James
parish will give an entertainment in Mis-
sion Paror Hall on Seventeenth street.
A rally and entertainment will be given
by Company NJ, League of the Cross
cadets, in st. Francis Hall.
TIE knights of st. Patrick will banquet
at Delmonico's.