Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-03-18

Irish people had received from st. Pat
rick, was to be put to a test which, for
severity and long continued barbarity,
is unequaled in the pages of history.
The story of the treatment OF the peo-
pie of Ireland, by their English inva-
ders, is a story of blood famine and
devastation From the time of Henry
II of England until the beginning of
the present century, persecution and
determination reigned Supremacy They
were banished from society. They could
not hold land. They could neither vote
nor hold office of honor or emolument.
They were debarred from the practice
of the professions. 1t was forbidden
them to hear mass, to receive the holy
sacrament, to go to school or to teach
school. And the common punishment
for the offender, against these laws was
death. No other people in the history
Of t(le world have been subjected to per-
secutions so cruel or so persistent, and
no other people have survived the test
with such invincible fortitude and
faithfulness
AS Paddy so forcibly said in the song:
when the law can stop the blades of
grass from growing as they grow,
And when the leaves in summer time
their verdure dare not show;
Then I'll forget the color 100, l wear
in my corbeen;
But till that day, please God, IN
stick to the wearing of the green;
"And thus" etc.
In a speech delivered in this city, a
little more than a year 60 our disting-
uished fellow townsman and ideal Am
erican senator, the Hon. George F..
Hoar, said that when Washington's
army entered Boston on the 18th of
March, 1776, with drums beating and
colors flying, and Sir William Howe,
oil oh foy.
ever, the watchword of the day in the
American army was st Patrick. The
good ST Patrick" said the sena-
tor, came into Massachusetts,
with George Washington, and he
came to abide with us perman-
emily" Now. my friends, if there
is one Irish organization more than any
other in Massachusetts, to whom is due
the credit and the honor of preserving
the traditions and memories of St Pat
rick, and Of keeping him still with us,
in this good old commonwealth, it is
the organization under whose auspices
we meet this evening-the Ancient Or
der of Hibernians. And it is cause of
great joy and congratulation for the
Worcester Hibernians that they are
honored tonight in having with them as
the lecturer of the evening the state
president Of their order, an honorable
ex-member of the Massachusetts senate
and a gentleman whose distinguished
ability and services have always been
at the command of the Irish people
Ladies and gentlemen let me assure you
that 1t is with great pleasure l intro
duce to you the Honorable Edward j.
Slattery of South birmingham.
The introduction of Hon Mr.. Slattery
was a signal for loud and continued APP
plause, and 1t was some minutes before
he could speak. His remarks were
freely punctuated with applause, es-
pecially his reference to Parnell and
suffering Cuba. He said in part:
MR.. SLATTERY'S GRAFTON.
Dear to every Irish heart is the name
of st. Patrick, hence the Irish race are
today celebrating one of the most an
Gent festivals in the Christian world
a. festival which stands alone second to
that glorious one which commentaries
the birth of the redeemer of mankind
and the founder of the Christian faith
The nth of March has not only been
made dear to the Irish race by annually
celebrating the memory and virtue of
St. Patrick, but it has also been made
memorable to every true American, for
one hundred and twenty-five years ago
today the English troops were driven
out Of Boston.
During the life of st. Patrick, and for
six centuries later. the Irish race lived
and prospered in Christian virtues and
Happiness. Sacred temples dedicated
TO the service of God dotted the isle and
her educational institutions were the
pride of her people
The great French historian. De Mont