The San Francisco call., 1896-07-04

The absurd idea of the existence of any
hostility upon the part of Irish Catholics
toward the Government of the United
States was Indignantly refuted by ex-
Judge ]. f. Sullivan in his Introductory
address.
81 bid you all welcome to this entertain
ment," he said. "You know the purposes
of the union o be of a fraternal character.
1t has no political connections. but believes
in the moral, social and intellectual eleva-
ton OF Catholic young men, with the idea
OF making them good citizens of this great
Republic.
Catholics in their relations to the
American Republic are o X. 1t is true
that the church has placed the people
under many obligations. We render
willing religious allegiance to the Pope of
Rome, but we have been among the first
to sacrifice blood and treasure in the de-
tense of our civil and religious liberty.
"Let US, then, be tolerant in our treat
ment of our neighbors."
After the Introductory address came
contralto solo by Miss Nellie Gallagher;
the reading of the Declaration of Indepen-
dence, by Ben L. Mckinley; tenor solo
by David Manlloyd, and the following
original poem by Charles D. South
THE FATHERS
Swells loud the paan of greteful nation
10 Him who raised from out a world of sea
A world whereon he planned the matchless
OF fair columb:as home of Hbertyl
From sands where Maine first halls days radiant
To seas that wash our days last gilded crag.
Praise be TO Him and praise be to the fathers
Whose souls still sentinel our stainless fagi
To-day our great Republics heart rejoices;
Nor turns the nltl, speeds he lOou1 to-d
A day with skies writ DER in glowing history
Of those who struck the tyrant's chains away.
Who dared defend the cause OF downtrod iusttce,
Who dared demand the God-gIven rights OF
men:
Who flung defiance to the raging lion
And lashed him, crippled, bleeding to his den.
To-day, DER all the land in town and h arnlet
The starry banner waves in ecstacyi
To-day the cannons' mighty thund'ring voices
Roll TO the clouds the y-notes of the free.
To-day we gather once again the myriads
And 70 the same high cause allegiance swear
That blazed upon the banners of the fathers
And shines in souls of freemen everywhere.
Our ceaseless guide while flows the ide OF years
And lightning swift the doom that shall be meted
When aught that savors tyranny appears.
For not alone from high upon the ramparts
shall eyes discern and mark our country's foes;
j is not the king we fear with hosts in armor,
Come, trumpeted, to wage in deadly blows.
1t is the monster hydra of corruption.
With sting as fell es sword-str of the foe;
Ours TO keep not the iron of our power
AnQ scar Where justice strikes the telling blow
And when accnrS'd monopoly's black fingers
The peoples rights would rend and tear way
Be his us dire fate ioul oppression
sank under in our brave forefathers' day.
And, long as time exists and god-like actions
Fire men to emulate In needs dark night;
As long some Cuba's back the tyrant
With blade OF hate his red decree shall write:
AS long as deSpot hand shall WELD scepfer
Perverting scripture on the rights of kings;
AS long men shall groan beneath mans thrall-
dom
And drink forced gall from evils bitter springs.
so long shall our brav fathers names be omensl
Their deeds be aye our boast, their fame our
pride;
They shall be sung until their chorused praises
Be far-extending as the world is wide.
And in the ages of the Futures promise,
Whilst fair Columbia. goddess of the land,
Still guards our soil where smiling Peace and
Plenty
Their joys and bounnes pour from strand to
strand
Whilst she is loved, feared honored ana respected
North, sou b. east west, on land and on the sea-
Her birthday skies sh all seem aglow wit h lessons
o sons how wrought their sires TO make them
Forever still expand our Nations glory,
And never shadow dim one starry raw
Till melt these stars Of union in the daxynipp
When Time is lost il Gods eternal day
CHARLES d. SOUTH
After soprano solo, "The Star-spangled
Banner" by Miss Katherine NJ Black, the
Rev. Joseph f. Byrne delivered the follow
ing oration:
Mr.. President Rev. Fathers and fellow-citi-
not for the purpose of using harsh words, not
for the q of pivipg van nj IN