The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-03-18

Among the characteristics OF the Irish
race, Maj. Meldrim said, is their respect
for true wOmanhoOd. He introduced Hon
J. F. O'Neii OF Atlanta, who made
bright and interesting response to the
toast, woman" He said in coming here
70 speak he was foreibly remind
signer to Savannah. as he was.
born in Georgia. hut his relative, his
uncle, the memorable Father ONeil, he
said, had lived here and had for years at
tended these banquets- The mention OF
Father ONeilis name was warmly APP
plauded, and a toast was drunk 10 his
new woman were witty. and much appre-
ciated. Mother, sweetheart, wife, he said,
men worship His sentiment that the best
man was not good enough for a good
woman was warmly applauded.
President Meldrim announced that Hon
Robert Falligant had been prevented from
being present by Illness in the family OF
one near TO him. But we are fortunate,
ne said, in having here tonight one
who has been pre-eminent in the neld or
literature and who will. without prepare
ton, respond to the toast. Literature:
With these words he introduced Judge En-
DRY Speer, who began In witty strain,
saying he would respond in lieu of the
golden-hearted and golden-tongued Fall
giant. He was sure, he said, that
he was the victim Of a conspiracy. He
felt, he said, like a bride and groom, Of
whom he heard, who attended church the
day after the marriage, and whose uncle
box was passed, They amt prepared"
Judge Speer spoke of the growth of read
ing, and advanced the idea that in this
age II was wise. in spite OF what had
been said by writers, to read much ana
many books. Judge Speer spoke of the
literature Of the magazine and the news
paper which are now at the command or
every one. If there are two communities,
ne SAID whose press should command re-
spect they are Augusta and savannah,
where the Herald, and the Chronicle, the
News and the Press furnish pure litera-
ture to the people they serve. 1t was
well said that the newspaper is not valu-
able by what it prints, but by what 1t re-
fuses to print.
There was continued applause at the
close OF Judge Speer's speech and he
was compelled to arise and acknowledge
the compliment.
Georgia" was responded to in his US
ual eloquent manner by Hon. F. c. du-
Bignon. Mr.. duBignon spoke of the con-
tinued hospitality of the Hibernian So
ciety, which, he said, was the only thing
that could have induced him to venture
out last night. His tribute to love of
country was a beautiful and glowing one.
lie spoke of Georgias agricultural. min
eral and commercial advantages, and the
welcome which she extends to every
stranger who comes within her borders.
The record of our state, he said not only
1ustiiies but impels devotion. Her record
Justifes her title of an empire state in
the order of sisterhood
Hon. Walter G. Charlton made an able
and eloquent response to the toast art"
tie did not know he said, that the sub
Ject could be disposed Of i'm the brief
space of an after dinner speech nor did
he know that the hard field of jurispru-
dence prepared one to speak on such a
subject. Art, he said. is nature made by
men. God he said. through man, struck
upon the solid stone and commanded it
to speak. The artist is the creature of
conditions which already exist; he does
not create the conditions which make art
possible. Art is humanity's cry for i'm
mortality; Immortality for all that's best
and brave and true. Mr.. Charlton s clos
ing words were beautiful word pictures
OF the accomplishments Of art and the
uplifting Of man through its workings.
The last toast of the evening was by
no means the least. 1t was to ireland"
his countries, Ireland and America. Mr..
+. j. OConnor was greeted with the
Warmest of applause when he arose to
respond to the toast. He regretted to fol-
low so many famous speakers who have
responded to the subject, but it was q
subject susceptible of many variations
and many sentiments, which were always
greeted with cheer and happiness. He
spoke of the virtues and bravery of Ire
lands sons and what they had done in
other countries. He spoke of Americas
offering lrishmen home and what Irish
men had done in Americas behalf
Ireland, he said, refuses to be a homo
genous member of the British empire,
but the love of country is true in her
breast, and 1t is a distinct trait in every
Irish character.
Prof. Icons band played some excel
tween all of the speeches
The Hibernian Society held its saith an
nual meeting at the Guards armory in the
morning at II O'clock. There was a good
attendance and the meeting was a pleas
ant one. The officers elected to serve
for the ensuing year are:
President-P. w. Meldrim.
Vice President-John r. Dillon
-(
Assistant Secretary-John NJ. Hogan.
Treasurer. f. Brooks.
Marshal-John T. Roman.
Standard Bearer-E. j. Kelly.
The stewards are Messrs. NJ. A.
O'Byrne, Arthur J. O'Hara and J. W.
Golden.
The following standing committees
We're appointed by the president FL
nance and charity John r. Dillon, vice
president and ex-officio chairman; John
Lyons, J. j. MCGOWAN, Luke Carson and
Andrew Hanley; membership committee,
William Kehoe, chairman; John Flannery
and r. ]. Num-.
President Meldrim made the society a
pleasant address, congratulating 1T upon
its substantial condition and wishing it
much fortune and prosperity in its flu
ture progress.
Messrs A. R. Lawton, Jr., L. A. Nc
Carthy, Lawrence Kelly, John ]. Kirby.
of Brunswick, John Mclaughlin, Jr.,
Henry Blum and Michael Lyons were
elected members of the society. The ap-
plcations for membership of MesSrs. b.
a. Denmark, H. NJ. Conner, Joseph r;
Harry and II. f. Ransford were read and
laid over to await vacancies. The res
ignations of Messrs. william Fawcett,
John F. Crohan, John NJ. Bryan, Martin
Cooley, James Douglass and Patrick Pow
erS were read and accepted.