The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-18
MIR. PRENDERGAsT RESPONDS.
His Reply 10 the Pleasant ResoIu-
tiOns of the Hibernian Society.

His Reply 10 the Pleasant ResOIu-
tiOns of the Hibernian Society.
The quarterly meeting of the HibernIan
Society was held last night at the Guards
armory. Quite a number of members were
| present. Capt John r. Dillon, vice pres
ident of the society, was in the chair.
Six new members were elected, as fol-
lows; Mr.. John Rourke, Col. Peter Reilly
Alderman t. f. O'Ddnnell, Alderman T.
>. Wylly, Jr., Mr.. 7. j. Brien and Rev
b. j. Kelley One application was read
and two designations were accepted The
society is limited to 100 members, and this
leaves 1ly three vacancies on the list.
An interesting feature of the occasion
was the reading of the letter from Secre-
tary Charles f. Prendergast in response
to the resolutions passed at a former meet
ing of the society, a handsomely engross-
ed copy of which were sent to him with
a solid silver tea set of magnificent work
manship and design, as a wedding present
from his fellow members. The resolutions
We're adopted by luminous vote the day
preceding Mr.. Prendergasts marriage, and
We're as follows:
Whereas, we, the members of the Hi
bernian Society, have learned with pleas
ure of the approaching marriage of our
efficient secretary, Mr.. Charles f. Prem
dergast, and do desire cordially to express
our appreciation of his long and faithful
| services as devoted member and most
Jealous officer;
Now, therefore be it resolved, That We
hereby tender to Mr.. Prendergast the con-
gratulations and best wishes of our soci-
ETY., with the heartfelt hope that the years
of his married life-and may they be many
may be crowned with an abundance OF
joy and happiness.
Be it further resolved, That the accom-
panying testimonial be offered to Mr..
Prendergast as a more substantial and
enduring evidence of our esteem and ap-
probation of him as a man and as a mem
Der of our society.
RsslSHs0# further That a copy of these
| resolutions, suitably engrossed and duly
authenticated by the assistant secretary,
| be presented to Mr.. Prendergast. ..-
The resolutions were signed by the com
mittee, composed of Messrs. 2. w. Mel
drim, John r. Dillon j. J. MCGOWAN, Jor-
dan f. Brooks, John NJ. Hogan, p. j.
O'Connor, M. A. O'Byrne and Arthur j.
OHara.
Mr. Prendergast's letter in answer to the
resolutions and thanking the society for
the kind remembrance was read at the
meeting last night. 1t was addressed to
the members of the committee named. Mr.
Prendergast said:
"Gentlemen: The proverbial inadequa-
cy of language to express deep emotion mas
never been so forcibly brought home TO me
as it is tonight, when L seek to disclose
to you the profound gratitude inspired in
me. and in mine by the superb tokens
with which you marked the occasion of
my recent marriage The sentiments eX-
pressed in the resolutions adopted at the
meeting on the ed ult., and the generous
proportions of the testimonial accompany
ing them, are not less appreciated than
are the exquisite tact delicacy and taste
which have characterized your conduct of
the entire movement My qualification is
the greater because the demonstration was
wholly unexpected by me. In every hui
man situation whether we be joyful or
sorrowful, triumphant, or vanquished, the
sympathy of our friends is grateful; and
/ need not say that the several fatterlng
evidence of your kindly feeling will be
treasured among our most valued pos
sessions as long as any of my race remains
to guard them.
81 might multiply words on these lines
until our centennial celebration found me
still striving to phrase appropriate ac>
acknowledgement; but even then / could
add nothing to the simple declaration
now make-I thank you all from the bot
tom of my heart.
ITO those who believe, as 1 firmly be-
lieve in the doctrine of the hereditary
transition of traits, my interest in the Hi
bernian Society must appear as an newt
able consequence Of environment and ira
dition. For nearly seventy-nine years I'M
interruptedy my family has been repre-
scented on its roll of membership; and
mine is the third generation of that fam
lily to be active in your official councils.
Tonight, involuntarily my mind goes
back nearly seventeen years. to the day
when you honored me with admission to
your ranks. OF the many then my seniors
in membership only fifteen remain. What
contrast there is between the society's
status and prospects then and now! And
how rich has been the reward Of those
who labored so strenuously for its regener-
ationv
Mr.. Prendergast concluded with an in
teresting and appropriate quotation from
Tom Moore He received the congratu-
lations of many friends who were present.
and the evening was made a most pleas
ant one. The next quarterly meeting of
the society will be on March H. the occa-
zion of the annual banquet