Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-03-04

der the auspices of the O'Connel AS
sociates. This was in the nature Of
lecture in Mechanics hall, and at it,
close a banquet at the City hotel. Tht
lecture was by Rev. George w. Peppe
of Cleveland, Ohio, and was ATTENDED
by about 500 people. Rev. Mr.. Peppel
has national reputation as an IrisI
nationalist, and is known as powerful
and forceful orator He sustained his
reputation Thursday night, and deliver.
ed one Of the finest addresses that have
been heard within historic Mechanics
hall At times he aroused his audience
to such enthusiasm that the hall fairly
shook with applause. Near the close OF
his address, when he said, IF ireland
ever says to Americans come over and
help u.s. there will be a vacant pulpit
in Ohio" the audience was carried to its
feet, and whel the speaker finished the
people applauded and cheered him. They
were 10th to leave their seats, and did
not do so until Mr.. Pepper dismissed
them with Good evening, gentlemen.
The lecture and banquet which fol-
lowed were attended by many promi-
nent Irishmen of the city, among those
occupying seats on the patform being:
Alderman James II. Mellen, Councilman
j. Fl. Meagher, B. H. Mcmahon, eX-Al-
dermen Andrew Athy Daniel f. Fitz-
gerald, DR.. John r. McCfillicuddy, j. j.
Rogers c. O'ConneIl Calvin, DR.. I. E.
McEvoy, Dr. f. H. Underwood DIR.
James F. McGourty, Representatives W.
|. Mclaughlin, Nj. L. Russell, John E.
Sullivan, Ulick Clifford, Timothy War
rem, John Mcnamara, Philip Kelly, Jas.
f. Halpin, P. F. Ryan, Michael McCar-
NV I'D f,l- N 90.
p. j. Judge, P. F. Clark
The lecturer, who was guest at the
Commonwealth hotel, was escorted to
the hall by the Emmet guards, under
First Lieut.. NJ. H. Hines, and headed
by the Emmet Guards drum corps.
Many prominent Irishmen accompanied
the speaker in carriages During the
lecture the Emmets occupied seats close
to the stage.
1t was shortly after s. 80 o'clock when
the meeting was called to order by
Patrick Shelton, president of the O1Con-
nell Associates, who introduced Alder
man James Fl. Mellen as chairman of
the evening. Alderman Mellen, before
introducing the speaker of the evening,
paid tribute to the memory of John
Burns, the organizer and one of the
leading members Of the OConnel AS
sociates. He said: This occasion is
not all of joy Recently the organiza-
tion under whose auspices this meeting
is held, met with a sad bereavement. in
the death of Its organizer and leading
member, John Burns. He was a man,
credit to his race, to the city and
country of his adoption. He was a
manly man, CHEEKY of disposition and
true to his convictions His death was
loss to the community. He was a
genuine Celt, an Grdent lover of the land
of his birth. but always a true, active
American. He was ever and always
to the fore. 1t is with regret, personal
and on the part of my associates, that
we are here tonight without him.
Tonight is the eve of the birthday of
Robert Ennmet, the hero martyr. whose
inspiration and name arouse Irish en-
thusiasm. The association which | rep
resent is named after the greatest of
Irish statesmen, Daniel O'ConneN 1t
is no more than fitting that the O'Con-
nell Associates should open the exercises
of Celts of Worcester in observing the
centennial year of the uprising of '9S,
by bringing to our midst the soldier
orator. He has come from the far
west to tell the story of 9S and AS, a
story l heard a quarter of a century
ago. | know you will thank the O'Con-
nell Associates for bringing this man
to this city to tell the story of English
misru!e in the land of the Irishmen 1t
is fitting to rehearse this story at this
time. when good news comes from
across the water, that England is to
make concessions which will be almost
a revolution of its present policy.
Cur distinguished friend has con-
tributed much with voice and pen to the
cause of Ireland Besides espousing
Ireland's cause. he served in the federal
army, where he won a name for himself
under Sherman, such that all Celts may
be proud of. Ladies and gentlemen,
Rev. George w. Pepper
The lecturer was received with thn-
derous applause He said, in part:
''It was the proud utterance Of a