The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1898-03-12
FRIENDS OF IRELAND CELEBRATD
THE CENTENNIAL AT SUPERIOR.
GRAND OPERA HOUSE WAS CROWDED.
RIGHT REV. JAMES McGOLRICIx, OF
DULUTH, ONE OF THE SPEAKERS,
ANNIVERSARY OF EMME1's BIRTH.
ADDRESSES by ATTORNEY u. II.
O'BRlEN AND REV. w. f. DEGNAN,

AWe 1Idnu opera House was crowded
from parquet to gallery, last evening,
with friends of Ireland, who gathered to
celebrate in prose and song the centennial
OF the Revolution of 9S" and the 12Oth
anniversary Of Robert Emmet's birthday,
says the West Superior Leader of the
5th inst.
The stage decorations were most an
proplate- At one corner was placed
picture of Robert Emmet while grace
tully draped over 1t was the silken ban
ner whose emerald hue formed so effect
i've background to the golden harr-the
Irish national flag. At the other corner
was the familiar portrait Of Washing
ton, and the stars and stripes.
AS the curtain rose it disclosed choir
of twelve standing in the center of the
stage singing America" At the sides
and rear were seated Chairman w. d.
Dwyer, Rev. w. E. Degnan, d. d.. Prof.
j. G. Mcneil, Rev. James Rob-
ert Smith, Mayor G. S. Starkweather,
Attorney P. H. OBrien and w. T. Lang
ley.
Chairman DWyer announced a violin
selection by Prof. Alexander, and burst
of applause greeted the we'll known Su-
perior musician as he gracefully
acknowledged the compliment and with
his usual skill and artistic rendition per-
formed the part assigned him. Prof
Alexander was recalled, and rendered
Nearer My God to Thee" by skilful
manipulation of the bow, somewhat
unique in character.
Miss Mary Ruhnke was also we'll re-
membered by her friends, as she came
forward to sing that sweet old song.
Killarney" Miss Ruhnke's voice made
1T doubly sweet, and the large audience
.. showed its hearty appreciation. She was
accompanied by Miss McDermott on the
piano and Prof. Alexander on the violin.
''The Wearin' O. the Green" was sung
by j. p. McCevany with such earnest
ness and effect, that he was recalled to
repeat the last verse.
One of the finest features of the whole
program was the representation of the
scene in court, after the so-called trial of
Emmett, and the chief Justice about to
sentence him to the block, asks Emmett if
he has anything to say why his sentence
should not be passed. r. J. Casey i'm
personted we'll the part of Lord Nor
bury, while as Robert Emmet, ]. M. Sui
livan covered himself with a glory which
the young orator we'll deserves.
DR.. Collins sang with spirit the STIR
ring song "Who Fears to Speak of 1882"
and received a generous applause from
his hearers.
Chairman Dwyer very gracefully in
troduced Right Rev. j. McGlorick, D. d.,
bishop Of Duluth, who delivered a most
| spirited address on "The Spirit of '9S. -
The distinguished speaker stated that it
was his business to tune up the audience
| so that they would get into the spirit to
enjoy the oratory which was to follow
| his effort. Needless to say, that the ad-
dress not only tuned up the vast con-
course to enjoy the succeeding numbers,
for they were thoroughly ''in it" before
the bishop finished.
The speaker commenced with the his
| tory of Ireland 100 years back and roast
| ed King George III to a brown turn,
| quoting from Thackeray. that the king
| chief accomplishment was his dancing
| powers. He also covered fully the royal
opposition to not only Irish but American
| freedom. Bishop McGlorick spoke of the
| two great religious antagonists of those
| Observation-Disclosures and Catholicism. He
also intimated very cleverly that it
was possible, even in the nineteenth CEN
tury, to find people hating each other in
the love of God. He told the story of
English hatred for the Irish, the system
of spies set to catch the latter in in
| trigues; of the terrible massacres per-
petrateS by the English soldiery on un-
protected men, women and childrcn--the
1,400 Irish Catholic people massacred III
a church in 1895 after they had been de-
luded into giving up their weapons. Tho
speaker portrayed vividly the outraged
women, the starving children and all OF
the cruel oppressive measures practiced
by the English. ut is any WONDER" ask
ed the bisnop, that they clasped han1
and vowed to fight for liberty?"
The speaker gave history Of the Irish
League, it's struggles and trials and end
ed with an eloquent prayer that God
may give to the people "the spirit Of
'9S," which will lead them on to glori-
GUS victory.
| Harry Linton gave an excellent rem
dition of Moores beautiful ballad, "The
Minstrel Boy"
| Chairman Dwyer announced the alb,
sence. because of sickness, of w. r.
Foley, who was to speak on ''The Heroes
or '98," and introduced Attorney P. H
O'Brien, who consented to act as sub
stitute. The eloquent attorney, after