The evening times., 1898-10-04
DIR. STAFFORD OBJECTED
Disliked to Hear ''God Save
the Queen at the Jubilee.
TOLD CHAIRMAN WARNER
The Eloquent Catholic Clergyman
Thought the Playing of the Eng
1ish Anthem Was an Outrage and
Out of Place at an American Jubi-
lee Meeting.

An incident of the monster peace jubilee
held at Convention Hall last Sunday after
noon not generally known to the public,
but which was noticeable to many in the
vicinity of the speakers rostrum, causing
considerable amused comment subsequent
ly, was a tilt between the chairman of
the meeting and the orator of the day
over the playing of the national air of
England, God Save the Queen"
The audience had just quieted down
from the wave of enthusiasm which was
caused by the mastery and eloquent adj
dress of DR.. Stafford, the pastor of st.
Patrick's Catholic Church, of this city,
and the orator of the day. His Grafton
was one that contained an echo of patriot
ic Americanism in every sentence, and
such was the sympathy of his audience
that it constantly reflected the sentiments
of the orator with ringing rounds of ap-
plause. In conclusion, DR.. Stafford de-
clared that the American people became
the embodiment of the principle of the
rights and equalities of man and that in
becoming so they became al once a great
people.
1t was that principle, he maintained,
which constituted this nation in its pc
culiar existence and by which it was
differentiated from all other people in the
world. He thought no sacrifice too great
10 maintain that principle, no victory to
great to glorify il, and no suffering too
great 10 uphold 1t. He then fervently
implored Divine Providence to preserve
! this country and make it strong while
| others grow weak When others fall he
J prayed that America might stand, and
| in conclusion said, When liberty is ban
! ished and tyranny reigns, o God, save
| and protect America! God save the re-
| public and strengthen the republic. God
| uphold the republic! God shield the re-
! public. o, God, save America
| " nen DR.. Stafford had finished speak
| ing he stepped back to his seat near Dis
! trict Commissioner Wight. The applause
was deafening and so great that Chair
man Warner graciously stepped toward
| Dr. Stafford and escorted him TO the cen
ter Of the stage again when the hon.
or thus bestowed by the assembled thou
sands was gracefully acknowledged.
When the storm subsided Chairman
! Warner announced that Rev. DR.. II. NJ
: Wharton, of Baltimore, would be the
next speaker. but that the Marine Band
would play God Save the Queen be,
| fore DR.. Wharton would speak. While
| al air OF England DR.. Stafford arose ant
| intercepted Mr.. Warner as the latter wa:
| returning to his seat from the center Of
| the platform. after having made his re
| quest for the anthem. He informed tn;
| the chairman sotto Voce that he though
| il was an outrage to play the anthem
| IN question at meeting held for the ex
| press purpose of celebrating the return
| of peace TO America after the gloriou!
| victories won by her soldiers on the field
! of battle, and maintained that the re
quest for the playing of the anthem wa:
| tantamount to an acknowledgements tha
the meeting favored an alliance with th'
| mother country. The tilt was brief, anC
| lasted but for a moment. but was no
| destined TO pass unnOticed by the guest
| on the stage and many in the Audience
| Some of the persons who sat near tn
| center of the platform thought that DR.
Stafford was about to leave the meet
ing. which did not occur. however, an
the matter soon blew over.
Chairman Warner then advanced to tn
center of the platform and said that h
had been told that the playing OF III
English national air might lead to the i'm
preston that the meeting favored a
Anglo-Saxon alliance, and 10 avoid an
such misrepresentation he asked the ban
to play The Star Spangled Banner I
show the slight difference between tn
| national airs of the two Englsh-speakin
races.
The scene thus enacted at such larg
meeting has caused no lack of commen
| and although the issue may be said to /
| closed. so far as the principals are cor
| cerned. the matter has become the sui
| ject of a new controversy between the pr
| and anti-Anglo-SaXon alliance supper
| ers.
When seen by a reporter for The Time
this morning DR.. Stafford said: Il do NJ
desire TO say anything for publicatio
about what happened at the meeting.
is past. so let il rest
Mr. Warner said that he had nothing
say for publication concerning the affai
but like DR. Stafford practically aimitte
that the tilt had occurred.
DIR. Stafford is one OF the most arder
lovers of the Irish race in this countr
OF their rights and principles, and ha
never hesitated to express his abhorr5nC
Of the manner in which the officials
England have treated that people. He
on the other hand. an American, intens'
ly so in action and eloquently in speecl
and when the request for the playing
the national air of England was mao
last Sunday afternoon persons who sic
with the action taken by him al the jub
lee maintain that he was right in consi'
ering IT out of place at such time an
| on such an occasion.