The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-03-18
RAINY ST. PATRICK'S DAY
FOR FIRST TINE IN YEARS THE PA
RADE WAS ABANDONED.
TOmIinson aII-Banquet of Friend
Iy Sons of st. Patrick.

For the first time in years the St. Pat
rick's day parade had to be utterly aban-
doned yesterday on account of a heavy
downfall of rain. 1t has come to be ac-
cepted as a foregone conclusion hereabouts
that St. Patrick's day cannot pass without
unpleasant weather. and people expect TO
breast either a wintry blast or a damp driz-
zle in connection with the celebration Of the
day. and there are many who remember
days on which the many Catholic and Irish
societies marched through a drizzle TO the
place of the public speeches. This was i'm
practicable yesterday. and il was with con-
siderable regret that the parade was aban-
doned. in1smuch as elaborate arrangements
had been made and the parade promised
TO be one of the finest and most impressive
that has been given in this. city for years.
Invited guests were hurriedly driven 10
Tomlinson Hall, where the customary pub
lie meeting was held.
When the meeting finally opened. about s
o'clock, there was a small crowd in Tom
linson Hall, but what was lacking in num-
Der was more than made up for by enthu-
siasm. A military band enlivened the
gloomy hours by playing familiar Irish
airs, such as '"The Wearing of the Green
Johii - SidhO iucl oiid " AK
day. acted as temporary chairman and
spoke very briefly in introducing Mayor
Taggart as permanent chairman of the
meeting. On the stage there were seated
beside Mr.. Blackwell and the mayor, Revs.
d. O'Donaghue, Charles L. Wilson. Gov
ernor Mounts private secretary, Mgr. Bes-
%sonies, Rev. Dennis McCabe, Rev. Daniel
Harrington, of County Kerry. Ireland. as
well as a number of the Catholic clergy of
the city, James II. Deery, L. j. Carbon and
others who have devoted considerable time
toward the celebration.
In opening the meeting Mayor Taggart
| spoke briefly. He alluded TO the fact that
it had been his privilege and pleasure to
preside over a similar meeting "A year ago
and he said that he felt deeply honored by
the privilege that had been conferred when
he was chosen TO preside again.
REV. MIR. O'DONAGHUE'S HUMOR.
Rev. ID. O'Donaghue was the first speak
er. His remarks were entirely extemporary
and were often of a very humorous trend,
although he occasionally spoke in a vein
of deep seriousness. His remarks were
punctuated with much aughter and APP
plause and at times a thrill of patriotism
swept over the audience as he spoke in
| eloquent terms of the deeds of patriotism
and chivalry performed by famous Irisn-
men. Father O'Donaghue, at all times a
popular speaker, was at his best, and gave
abundant evidence of his liberalness and
broadness. AT the outset OF his remarks
he spoke regretfully of the bad weather
and said there would be much more thank
fulness if there had been a good day for
the magnificent parade that had been
planned. The speaker referred TO the re-
nOwn OF the patron saint OF Erin, told how
his natal day was observed in every CLINE,
4 M ~ ~ i'm or MIN in 10 Gna ff 4nTHa
Washington, the most colossal inquire In
American history, and who was yet un-
known, comparatively speaking, outside the
United States. He dWelt on characteristic
of the Irishman's temperament, speaking
OF him as a man destined 10 populate ana
rule every country except his own. father
tiles OF the race, touching lightly upon the
fight that at that very moment was TAX
ing place among the Crests of the Rocky
mountains. There was a loud applause
and laughter when he declared that if he
knew the result OF that fight he would an
noulce it,. Before the Marquis of Queens
berry was born" he declared, the Irish
fighter observed the rules Then he took
up the famous characters in Irish history
fighters. speaking Of the achievements of
Owen O'Neil. who won the respect OF the
great Richelieu's soldiers when he espoused
the cause of Spain against the French.
As the 18th of March was St. Patrick's
day he thought that 1T was not altogether
improper for Irishmen 10 indulge in SELL
| COMMUNICATION dDQ ii Itlit lCi
he lauded the Irish race, declaring that If
they are taken as a whole, scattered
throughout all countries of the world, they
will be found good men. with traits OF
strong fidelity and common honesty. Ihey
look back at the little island and love II
because of its suffering and OPPRESSION
vert the island he found that the ancestors
of the race of to-day were not so deeply
steeped in paganiSm as many OF the ma
lions around them. Although he went with
nothing but the story of the crucifiXion and
armed with power from on high, he con-
verted them, showing them by miracles
that none of the priests Of Druidism could
perform that there was a higher power
than they wot of. st. Patrick found the
Irish nation one of superior intelligence and
culture in comparison with the times. Con,
tinuing. he said that the Irish have carried
the heroic figure of st. Patrick In their
hearts and have chung with fidelity TO the
principles of honesty and bravery ne
taught.
Irish. the speaker said: "Irishmen can keer
accounts. deep remembrances of benefits
and injuries received. can keep holy days
and e Iate h !!Snd f fSev 90 see DDa nma S 'do' theiI
friends" he added, with a contagious smile
'There is no man of true Irish blood who
Is not glad EIa r to wear "a e Green fSe e ffop1n of on cars sars
icaturists to make ludicrous pictures OF
Irishmen. where they are depicted as haV-
ing lips projecting like snuff boxes, UNI.
brellas without handles. held the wrong enc
up. He declared with emphasis that those
same pictures were generally made by
Irishmen themselves. as no one else coulo
imagine such humorous things of the race
Father O'Donaghue was loudly applaudeo
as he ended with a smiling bow and ges-
ture toward Mayor Taggart.
FATHER M'CABE'S ELOQUENCE.
The next speaker was Rev. d. McCabe
another priest of the Catholic Church, com
parativeiy young. He demonstrated much
elouuence and wit. speaking at the outset
of the fact that although he was a native
born Hoosier he came from parents of pure
Irish blood. How could l feel otherwise
than proud in such a presence to-day he
inquired. Father McCabe spoke of the fdei-
ity Of the Irish race TO a friend or prin'
cipIe as one of the strongest Characters
tics. Ii was because of this characteristic
that they could not let the day go uncele'
brated. ST. Patrick. he declared, was hon,
ored everywhere the tiny shamrock reared
it's head. las the riShman all over the
world stoop TO pluck the plant their lips
utter a silent and ferVent prayer Tor tnt
sufferings of their native country
Speaking of the glory OF ancient ireland
Father McCabe said that St Patrick came
into the cOuntry when II was at the zenlti
of it's power and from later researches
Judging from her libraries and works OF art
Ireland must have been far ahead or the
surrounding nations in enlightenment, in
telIigence and culture. Under such circunI
stances il was not remarkable that 81
Patrick had such a successful mission II
establishing the doctrines Of Christianity