The San Francisco call., 1897-10-15
Liberty for Ireland Was the
Cry at Metropolitan
Temple.
A Big Mass-Meeting in Honor
of the Memory of Will
liam Orr.
Laying the Foundation for Grand
Monument to the Patriot
Wolfe Tone.

The friends of Ireland and advocates of
freedom for Erin assem- bled in full force
last evening In Metropolitan Temple,
under the auspices of the '9S Centennial
and Monument Association, to pay trib-
ute to the memory OF William Orr, the
Irish patriot, who was executed 100 years
ago by the English. The hall was filled
from the rostrum to the top row of the
gallery, and the greatest enthusiasm pre-
vailed during the addresses, which were
as spirited as Irish speeches always are.
There was another motive for the gather
ing beside the one given. Irish patriots
all over the world have decided to erect a
monument in Ireland to the memory of
the much-lov Wolfe Tone, who also laid
down his life for the great cause. In order
to secure financial assistance and keep the
movement before the people this meeting
was called.
AS fitting time the anniversary OF the
execution of the first Irish patriot in the
great uprising for liberty in Ireland was
selected. Orr was one of the active lead
ers In that movement and his execution
took place at Carricktergus, on which &C.
caslon every man, woman and child left
! the city, SO great was the love they bore for
the young farmer. 1t Is few cities that
can boast of descendant of Orr, but San
Francisco can, and he sat with the vice.
presidents last evening. He is John K.
Orr, the merchant, who is a grandson of
the martyr. The other vice. presidents
were:
Brother Virgil, Sacred Heart College; Gen
eral John +. Sheehan, 7. P. Riordan, James
OBrien, John O'Gara, Thomas Lyons, Judge
Cooney, Dr. O'Toole, Joseph l. Dimond, T. r
Bannerman, Rich ard O'Connor, Colonel J. &.
O'Connor, jeremiah DeasY county president
A. o. H., z. F. Mccormick, Daniel O'Sulllvan;
NJ. o Maloney, Gaelic school: DR.. Gibbons, J.
C. Nealon. John Purcell Coloue! Z. F. Barry,
j. J. Camille; Frank Foley, California Pioneer
Society; Richard St. John; NJ. }. Coakley, Oak
land; Captain T. p Crowley, Captain H,
Meagher; J. J. Donovan, State president A. o.
H.. Thomas Gainiord president County Mon
aghan Society; John c. Ryan, president No. 8,
A. o. H.; J. z. O Connell, pres ideut No. 10, A.
o. H; NJ Fitzgerald, president No. 5. A. o. IL.
While the people were asse M bling con-
siderable enthusiasm was manifested by
the American and Irish airs on the big
organ by Professor r. c. Harrison. The
meeting was formally opened by the
chairman, jeremiah Mahony, who ex-
palned the objects of the gatherings and
the purpose of the Monument Associa-
ton. While he was speaking the sound
OF the hfe and drums announced the ap-
proach OF the Knights OF the Red branch
Rifles, under The command of Captain
Casey. The citizen soldiers presented a
fine sight as they filed into the hall under
their two banners, the American flag and
the flag of orange, green and white, the
flag that stands tor the union of Ireland.
Miss Anetta George sang Though the
Last Glimpse of Erin" and several other
pretty songs.
Father Terence Caraher, one of the
prlnci pal speakers of the evening, was in
| troduCed as one who wears the same uni
form as worn by James Murphy in '9S
His subject was: Events Leading Up to
! '9S." In his remarks the father reciteG
I Ror TfV11 r.lo- I-ol
and the persecution of Catholics by the
English Government, whose officers
cruelty put to death thousands of inno-
cent people and unoffending priests He
declared that the terrIb.e Re bellion OF 1898
WAS caused by inhuman treatment OF the
Government, which goaded the patriots
to desperation
In his remarks the speaker spoke of the
outrages of the Orangemen and British
Hessian soldiers upon Erln's soil, and he
caused sensation by saying: "While l
Will not attempt to describe 10 YOU the
honors and crimes OF those English SOL
diers upon the Catholics, l will hold up
my hands and pray TO GOD that he Will
hasten the day wnen he will sweep everv
British soldier off the soil of Ireland"
In conclusion Father Caraher urged his
hearers never to give up the cause of Ire
lands freedom, but organize under the
stars and stripes, and when England be-
comes involved then seize the Opportunity
for her overthrow and the liberation OF
Erin.
With dramatic effect Frank P. Haynes
recited "Ihe Wake OF William Orr, and
was loudly applauded. The piece was
written by DR.. Drennan
j. j. Dwyer was introduced amid loud
applause. He spoke on William Orr and
the Men of '98." In speaking of this
younS Irish farmer of the north he paid
the highest tribute to his life and memory
WHO Fears to Speak of '982" beautiful
solo, was sung by ]. P. Grodjen, whose
fine barytone voice com pleiely captured
the audience, who compelled him 10 give
second evidence OF his power.
General p +. Walsh, one who from his
early youth to this his old age has been
identified In the Irish cause, was gener-
ously welcomed by the audience. In an
eloquent address he told OF Efforts for
Irish Freedom Since '9S.'
The meeting was concluded by Miss
George singing God Save Ireland" in
which the audience joined in the chorus.