The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-03-18
DEEP WATER JUBILEE.
TURNER HALL PACKED TO THE
DOORS WITH ENTHUsIAsTs.
An Address by Governor Culhcrson,
Grafton by Hon. Dudley q. Wootens
A bouquet of Irish Melodies.


ditorium 10 Turner hall, the Hibernians
and Emmets anticipated that Turner hall
would be inadequate in Its holding capacity
to accommodate the people and In THIS
their calculations were correct. as the hall
was packed to the doors last night with
standing room at a premium and this after
400 additional chairs had been placed in
the hall.
1t would have been a splendid Grafton
under any circumstances. and when con-
sldcred in connection With the fact that
no street cars were running il was a re-
markably splendid tribute TO the occasion.
The programme was varied in its make
up, embracing music, recitations and ora
tory. Miss Ida Buckingham had arranged
the programme, but one or two examinations
necessitated bv the illness and absence
IRON the city OF the participants, tended
IN measure to somewhat dfsarrange the
nroaramme, but those who were there filed
IN the omitted numbers most acceptably.
IL was source of some regret that Miss
Lena Aronsohn. an elocutiunist whose
fame has preceded her from the New York
School of Methods. WAS prevented, owing
TO illness, from being present
The programme WAS essentially Irish.
Professor Lewis orchestra put the audience
IN good humor with n lot of Irish airs.
The Arion Quartette sang Come Back to
Erin and Wearing of the Green Miss
Buckingham gave "Killarney," Miss Estelle
Burgheim sang The Harp that once Thro'
Tara's Halls" and MIR. George Is. Griggs
sang "Shamus OBrlen." While these we're
the regular programmed numbers. they all
evoked such enthusiasm as To call for en-
cores and the singers were all prepared
with encore selections that appealed quite
as strongly to Irish patriotism as the orig
mai numbers.
MIR. John Stewart rendered two very
pretty recitations, both of which were
warmly applauded,
Too much credit can not be given Misses
Buckingham and Burgheim and The Arion
ouartette for making the concert what 1t
was-a most pronounced Aartistic success
When the GRAFTON was announced Mayor
Rice. followed by Governor Charles Gull
berson, Hon. Dudley G. Wooten and mcm-
hers OF the local committee took seats upon
the stage,
Mr.. Edmond Browne representing the
arrangement committee, presented Mayor
Rice as the presiding officer.
Mayor Rice was hailed with deaienine
applause, and as he presented the COVER
nor he said he not only ruled the biggest
State in the Union, but was easily the
most popular man today In Texas. This
was also applauded.
Ladies and Gentlemen: The privilege
accorded me. of introducing the orator Of
the evening to this splendid audience 10
an honor which will be long and CRATE
fully remembered, for this meeting is the
elimination Of the greatest Irish celebra-
tion this State has known and the most
remarkable assemblage OF that people ever
held within her borders. When we look
back upon the salient features of the his
tory of Ireland We need not be surprised
al this Outpourng of her IONS and sympa-
thizers and this increasing interest in their
affairs. From the beginning of her en-
thusiastic annals though without monu-
ments and trophies 10 elevate and inspire,
and weighted throughout the ages with
English oppression. the nobler aspirations
OF her people have been enlightenment
and liberty. rhe earlier ages gave prom
Use of these and that the beautiful island.
rich in valley and river and mountain
would endure as an independent and
mighty nation. For 300 years after the
to the Eighth century. 1t attracted stu
dents from Britain and Gaul, sent mis-
Sionaries into the countries now known |
as Western Europe and became the Dur-
sory OF science and OF civilization. No |
natural or racial causes arrested this |
progress and destroyed this supremacy |
but invaded by the Northmen. and, he |
cause OF internal division and dssenslon. |
finally oyerrun by the English, the con-
est for more than 700 years has been not |
so much for intellectual and Industrial
advancement as for individual liberty and
national independence. During this con
'ict. at which mankind has marveled.
Celtic contributions to civilization have
indeed been memorable, but no people.
however great. ever rose to their full
tature amid the environments and exac-
ions Of tyranny. Above all else they
ave done for the world this struggle OF
for freedom is the most Denefi-
,ent and impershable. Other peoples
rave fought pobly, other races have WILL
en- their deeds in deathless song and
tory, but 1t was reserved for the Irish
o wage for more than seven centuries an
lnended battle for self government. which
= alike their affliction and their glory.
10 unyielding, so constant. 80 heroic have
hey been that the prophecy OF the oracle
hould be fulfilled: They may be In want.
hey may be In rags, they may be naked,
ut not link OF the British chain Will be
eft clanking to their limbs. Fighting liz
ears and under the despot heel. the tissue
/ the combat may be against them. yet
mid the ruins they can proudly recall
he past and contemplate its grandeur.
What nation can boast a sweeter bard
han Moore or greater revolutionary
rator than O'Connell? What peoples can
oiDt 10 a more dauntless warrior than
,rien Boru, a more mssterfui statesman
ban Parnell or nobler martyr than EN-
act? What rase can claim loftier en-
lem than the. shamrock. grander cause
han home rule or a more deyout apostle
han Saint Patrick
OF Irish birth or extraction, affection
tely attached to her traditions. proud OF
er immortal achievements and yearning
or her sovereignty and upbuilding. let
5 not despair OF the future Of Ireland.
ct US rather feel with her sweetest poet.
hat
he star OF the field, which so often hath
poured
It's beams on the battle Is set:
ut enorsh OF its glory remains on each
To iisht us TO victory yet.
In concluding he introduced Mr. Dud-
y. G. Wooten Of Dallas. whom he regard
! as one ~ the most brilliant orators Ia |
exas, and Mr.. Wooteu in the address, Z