The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-07-01
Our Country.


Our Country.
James j. McGovern responded 20 the
toast "Our Country" in place Of Daniel
j.. sullivan, who was unavoidably absent.
He preluded his remarks by reference
10 the anniversary. Then turning 60 the
toast and the sentiment or the same he
dwelt ON the difference between the ideal
sentiment and the practical III politics
lie spoke IN sharp manner on certain
conditions in political affairs, and made
an earnest plea for such organization AZ
the club in purifying political Institutions
and ensuring tho fuliilment of tho idea
CT the sentiment of -tha- taast, !. tho
principles of the glorious declaration
never be lost sight Of -
Iio closed with congratulations on the
l2 years OF the clubs life and EXPRESSED
the wish that tho club might live at
least IL years longer and also his conf
denco that the same energetic work would
be done In the future as in the past.
Mr.. McGovern's speech was followed by
piano selections by Prof. Josslyn.
Washington Irviog.
The third toast of the evening was
Washington Irving" AS the toast
sentiment was "by his magic pen he won
renown as one or nature 4 true portrayers
and Miles A. McNamee. an old ana
faithful member Of the club paid
tribute TO the beauty of Irving's writ
ings. He said that Irving had raised the
reputation Of American literature. The
noble, pure beauty of his writings were
referred To as the picture of his beautiful
and pure life. The carefulness of his style
the newness of the subjects he treated
were dwelt upon I'm n manner that showed
the Speakers familiarity with Irvings
choice works Mr.. McNamee mentioned
Irving rs true American, though he
loved To live in those old lands full of
traditions and fairy tales. and In his
chosen walk of life did rs much as any
man to add to the glory and helped rs
much as any man III the upbuildiDg of
what has become the greatest and noblest
country of the earth.
Ire State of Rhode Island.
The toast "Rhode Island" was re
sponded to by Patrick A. Cunningham.
who dwelt on tho gift of rolig iousli berty
given To the state and through 10 to the
nation by Roger Williams, and next the
speaker gave an interesting account of tho
states progress calling attention TO its
splendid and varied industries, tho hum
Of whose machinery was Its language,
its noble charities, and closed with the
wish that In the future the same prov
idence Of God might direct she state as IL
had directed Roger Williams and the
same success mark that future rs that
Wnltn mas ulIttteu INC INSl.
Vice President james "A. Fitzgerald sang
in manner that was thoroughly appre-
ciated by the members.
"Our Schools and Educational 1nstitu-
tions' was responded tn by James Il.
Higgins, who said that school, always
needed thing in all countries, was I'm ours
"A necessity. Although the United States
had the best schools in the world the city
of Providence need not fear 20 comDare its
educational institutions with those Of any
other city. The branches Of school work
were 1welt on in an interesting an in
structive way and his romarks were we'll
punctunted hv witty turning Of instruc-
tive points The advantages of technical
education were brought out.
Absent Members.
"Our Absent Members was responded
90 with thorough appreciation OF the
seutiment lv William W. Kirby.
James A. Shield responded 90 the toast,
Tho Legal Profession, and his speocn
was n happy one In fact one of the mer-
ricst ana brilliant of the toaSts Of the
evening. William W. kiruy next sang and
then cano the toast THE Ladies', ~ by i.
r.. Shetidn and his remarks were in
hapuv and witty vein at first but he
closed with beautiful tribute that was
rich In poetic sentiment to the NOBILITY of
woman.
The toast "The Press was responded
90 hy The News representative and MIR.
tire tvrtur. tnC ffnHf tnTST
"Sistcr Societies, was responded to by
.Ioseph Tally of the Brownsou Lvcoum,
represent ltiye of the Young Mems Liter
ary Club OF Olncyville. John l. Devlin of
the Young Mems Literary Club, Olney-
willie, Peter Mackin OF the Pskin Club.