The San Francisco call., 1897-06-04
HONORED IREL LANDS
GREATEST MAN
Commemoration of the
Death of Daniel
O'Connell.
Father Yorke Speaks of the Dea
Hers Many Gallant
Fights.
he Characterizes Attorney.Genera a.
Joseph Mex ma as a Renegade
Catholic.

The fftieth anniversary of the death oi
Daniel O'Connell, the Liberator OF Ire
land, was celebrated at Metropolitan Tenn
pie last evening under the auspices oi
Company a, League of the Cross Cadets,
the great hall being fIlei to its utmost
capacity with loyal Irish residents of this
City of both sexes.
The decorations were of the handsomest
character, the American colors being
everywhere IN evidence. Over the plat
form, on which sat the cadets under the
care of Colonel William P. Sullivan Jr.
and Captain Frank S. brady, hung huge
flag caught up in the center so as 10 for N
canopy over the speakers.
Along the front of the gallery was line
of palms and ferns, and in conspicuous
places were shields bearing the emblem
ofthe cadets-crossed cannon surmounted
by red cross.
The Exercises opened with an organ
prelude by Professor r. J. Harrison, that
was well received, and then Hon. E. w.
McKinstry in a short address told the
object of the gathering, calling attention
to the noble character off OConnell and
the great services he had rendered to the
cause of the Irish people, characterizing g
him as the benefactor and almost Iiberator
OF Ireland.
The glee club of Company A of the
cadets sang THE Anvil Chorus" with
great effect, and received a hearty en-
core,
tenor solo, "The Harp That Once
Thro' Tara's Halls, was sung by d. Man
lloyd, and then Father Yorke was intro
duced. His theme was: Bursting a
Nations Bonds"
"since the time of Moses" said Father
YoTke, "never was such sight seen as when
God sent Daniel O'Connell 10 the rescue and
emancipation of the Irish people.
''In this land of liberty, where religious
freedom is the foundation of the Constitution,
IL is fitting that we should meet on this the
fftieth anniversary of the great patriot )
death"
After briefly reviewing the history of
the Irish race up to 1907, to show that the
laws had been made so oppressive by
KING William as to drive the Irish peo-
pie to desperation, he called attention 10
the opportunity given 10 O'Conneu to
unite his countrymen.
Those who made the penal laws that op-
pressed the Irish Catholics, he character
lied as enemies, not only of atholics
themselves, but of mankind. Then he re-
sumed:
But we need not go to England or those
oppreSs all those from whom they cannot re-
ceive benefit. There are the same kind in this
country, even in this State.
An Attorney General recently went from
this City who vas of this ilk, Judge whom
one even accused of being lawyer. l am
sorry he went from Caiifornis, because we are
Californians The Government provides a
handsome place Of worship at West Point,
but it is provided ior only one religion-that
of the Protestants. the Catholics who attend
there are compelled to worship in q hut-a
cowshed.
Some time ago a liberslminded preacher
thought that the Catholics should have a bet
ter place of worship and raised $50, 900,
which he offered to the Government TO build
a Catholic chapel where they might attend
services fittingly and in comfort.
Then this great and good McKenna, who
ion that such a proceeding would be illegal
He would allow those of his own blood to
worship in q hovel.
He is turncoat-a renegade.