The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-03-17
KNIGHTS OF ST. PATRICK
-ANNUAL BANQUET HELD At THE
TONTINE LAST NIGHT.

.lNNUAL BANQUET HELD At TIL
TONTINE LAST NIGHT.
A Brilliant Event-EIoquent Speeches
Full of Patriotic Sentiments, Made by
Those Who Responed to Toasts-Ban'
quet Room ElaborateIy Decorated
with American II and Irish Flags.
1t was the concensus Of opinion that
the banquet of the knights Of st. Pat
rick at the Tontine hotel last night was
by far the most brilliant and successful
ever given by that organization. About
100 knights and their invited guests
sat down to the excellent dinner pre-
pared by Mine Host White about
o'clock, and feasting which followed
lasted for nearly two hours. The spa
cious public dining room was elaborate
ly decorated with American and Irish
flags, palms and potted plants. Pic
lures of President Mckinley, Admirals
Dewey Schley and Sampson and Cen
eral Miles occupied places of promi-
nence. ...
The tables were perfect in every de-
tail, and each one was bedecked with
immense punches of cut flowers. Dur
i,, 81. tra
played numerous popular selections.
This added much to the occasion. At
the head table were Dr. j. f. Luby,
Mayor Farnsworth, w. +. Kenney of
Boston, David Fitzgerald, Rev. McKeon,
DR.. Thomas M Cahill, William M.
Geary, James p. Bree, John Maloney,
James Reilly, Peter Reynolds, Thomas
Brennan, Andrew Smith, Michael Dill
Ion, Edward MCGOWAN, Thomas Cum
ningham, Superintendent of Police
James Wrinn and M. F.. Walker. DR..
John F. Luby, president of the Knights
of st. Patrick, made a short address of
welcome and then introduced Attorney
David Fitzgerald as postmaster. He
said:
"Mr. President, Honored Guests and
Brother Knights-The honor which has
been conferred upon me this evening In
being chosen POSTMASTER of the annual
banquet of the knights of st. Patrick
is one which will long and ever be cher
ished by me. The knights Of st. Pat
to-, rte,fA
nearly as long as l am, the difference
in age being in my favor by about
year or so.
Now, this occasion is one, however,
which person acting in my capacity IS
not to occupy your attention, for the
committee having in charge the affair
have worked zealously and hard, and
have secured able speakers and inter-
esting toasts. Therefore ! must proceed
to fulfill and discharge the duties de-
volved upon me by virtue of my office
of the banquet of the
Knights of ST. Patrick for the year 1899
and all | ask of you Is your earnest
cooperation to the end that this will
be the most successful and memorable
one that the Knights have ever had"
the toastmaster now introduced Rev.
Father McKeon, who said in part, in
response to the toast Our Chaplain:'
| esteem it a great honor to say
few words to you tonight. After eu-
logizing st. Patrick, he said that the
fruits of the labors of st. Patrick re-
main until the present time. He spoke
Of the splendid devotion of the old in
habitants of Ireland, declared that
this devotion is as strong as ever wher-
ever the children of the old Emerald
Isle are to be found. They still have a
regard for old Ireland, and still love
and serve the same God which their
ancestors did. The Irish people COOP
crate with the priests most eagerly in
every thought which he undertakes.
They enable him to clothe the naked,
feed the hungry and minister to all
their wants All hail to glorious st.
Patrick tonight. Let us hope that he
Is looking down from heaven and
that it is good for us to be
here and still maintaining the same
Kindly interest which he had while here
IN earth. ...
Father McKeon at the close of his
speech.
After vocal selection by Michael
Dillon, DR.. Thomas M. Cahil was in
reduced, as the son of the fighting
Colonel CahlI He responded to the
.oast 'The Day We Celebrate He
said we sing the praises of scores of
elf-sa sacrificing sons of dear old ireland, !
Who gave their lives and their all to
he country they loved. Dead must be
hat Irishman whose blood does not |
ingle on this, the watch day of that
blessed saint, who followed in the foot
steps of his Master Irishmen fought |
n the war of the Revolution. in the |
var of 1912, and shed their blood in the
ivil war and in .he recent unpleas-
ntness with Spain, and over and over |
gain displayed their undying love and /
heir rights of citizenship under 'Old /
ilory." For years we have held back |
waiting the termination of the glorious
truggle for freedom. We have called |
ttentiOn time and again to suffering |
f the people of that isle because OF un-
ust taxation IF ENGLAND believes /
'uba should be free, why not Ireland? |
he certainly deserves to be free as
much. If not mora, than any other
ountry. For years the English have
tarVed, robbed and even murdered ollr