The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-12-07
EMMETT RIFLES WERE GUESTS.
AID THE EMMETT ASSOCIATION OF
SAVANNAH WAS HOST.

rmmct AssOeiatiol-Erish Soldiers
of Texas Toasted and Toasted by
IriSh-Amcricans of savannah-Re-
rrets That the Soldier EmmetS
are to Leave Were Freely EN-
pressed.
The entertainment of the Emmett Rifles
of Houston, Tex, now Company c of
the First Texas Infantry, by the Robert
Emmett Association at the Emmett Hall
last night, was one of the pleasantest
If the many pleasant interchanges of cour-
tesv between the citizens of Savannah and
The members Of the Seventh Army Corps.
For four hours the Texas boys drank
and feasted with new-found friends. and
listened to songs and speeches by soldiers
and citizens. The affair was an informal
collation., where good fellowship and
hearty cordiality prevailed, and at the
close it would be hard to say who was
most pleased with their share in it, hosts
or guests.
Capt. Franklin and his company of about
ninety men came into the city from the
camp of the First Division about O'Clock
and proceeded to the Emmet Hall, at Bay
and Abercorn streets, where they found
q number of the members of the Emmett
Association gathered to receive them.
The company was accompanied by the
First Texas band, which furnished excel
lent music throughout the evening.
Two long tables running the length of
the hall exactly accommodated the guests
and the friends of the Emmets. The
tables offered an ample supply of good
things, such as it is seldom the lot of the
soldier to come up against. In fact, it
is only stating the truth TO say that the
soldiers have encountered such hospitality
as has been extended them here nowhere
else than in Savannah, and it is to be
feared that there win be many regrets
on this score when the Seventh Corps de-
parts for Cuba.
President P. J. O'Connor of the Emmett
Association sat at the head of the table.
ON his right was Capt. Thomas H. Frank
lin of the Emmett Rifles. Company c, First
Texas, and on his left Capt. Edward Leon
ard late of Company l. of the First Geor-
eia. In near by seats were Capt. r. A.
Scurry Company a, First Texas, Capt.
Thomas I. MAR. Company c, Second Him
ois; Capt. Paul B. Limo, Company A. First
Illinois; Lieut.. Thomas A. Kelleher. Bat
terry A. First Maine Heavy Artillery;
Lieut.. T. J. McConlogue, Company b, Sec
ond Illinois; Hon. L. J. Doyle of Michi-
gan and Walter c. Hartrdge. Esq. of
Savannah.
After heavy inroads had been made upon
the tables President OConnor extended a
cordial welcome to the guests of the even
ing Knowing the previous history of the
Emmett Rifles and learning that they were
part of the Seventh Army Corps, the
Emmett Association could not let the OPP
portunity pass he said, without showing
them some mark of esteem.
Mr.. OConnor spoke briefly of the prin-
ciples for which Emmett fought and dwelt
for moment upon the hope of the realiza-
ton of the desire of Emmett Mr.. O'Con-
nor spoke of the genius of American liberty
as the torch which had lighted France to
liberty and was now about TO light Cuba,
Porto Rico and the Philippines to liberty.
He spoke of the impending departure for
Cuba and closed with a toast to the health
Of the officers and men of the Emmett
Rifles.
Capt Franklin replied thanking the EN-
metAssociation for pleasant and delight
full evening. Of the many pleasant recol-
lections of Savannah that of the Emmett
Association would be the brightest I'VE
shall always cherish among our fondest
recollecions the Emmett Council of Savln-
nah, Ca" said Capt. Franklin.
The members of the Rifles Their gave
three cheers for the association.
Capt Sterrett of the First Texas said
he always found that he had a good time
when he got mixed up with the Hibernians.
SerSt. Cronan of the Rifles was called
upon. He is the oldest member of the
company and was given a warm reception.
The sergeant made a good speech, includ-
ing some remarks in Gaelic. which he in
terpreted to mean that the Emmett Asso-
cation had invited the Emmett Rifles one
and all to their banqueting tables.
Hon. Walter C. Hartridge was intro
duced by the chairman and made one of.
mis- naturally eloquent speeches 1t was
peculiarly appropriate that Texans should
be entertained by Georgians. he said, and
he alluded TO Hoods Texas Brigade, which
contained a Georgia regiment Mr.. Hart
ridge spoke of the services of the Irish
Jasper Greens in the Mexican war. He
SAID he was not surprised that Spain
capituiated when she heard that an Irish
Texas organization was prepared to back
up the regulars. Such an era of good
feeling has never prevailed in this coun-
Try as prevails now as the result of this
war. Mr. Hartridge said: whenever 1
see the American private volunteer sol
der l take off my hat to him, the men
who dig the trenches and fire the guns.
lie represents the true essence of Ameri-
can patriotism. We are greatly indebted
TO Spain for uniting this country and
when these people stand together there is
nothing on earth can resist hem"
Lieut.. McConlogue of the Second 1lli-
nois was called upon, and briefly expressed
ms pleasure at being present.
Lieut.. Kelieher, First Maine Artillery,
sang an IRISH song. which was loudly APP
plauded.
Lieut.. f. A. Leonard of the Irish Jasper
Greens, late captain of Company L of the
FIRST Georgia, was enthusiastically called
Tor. Lieut. Leonard, in responding, said
mat he was always proud to speak to the
boys in blue. He felt that every man who
wore the uniform should always be ready
to respond to his country's call While
capt. Franklin had stated that he had the
only Irish-American organization in the
United States army, if the President want
ed The services of the Irish Jasper Greens
he could have them tomorrow. They had
responded to their eountry's call, and