The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-03-18
Ar rHE oprRA HOUSE.

a large and enthusiastic audience occu-
| pied the seats in the parquette, the ball
cony and the proscenium boxes The stage
was a pretty sight, presenting as 1t did
a scene symbolic OF the relations between
the Emerald Isle and the country which
| has adopted so many of It's sons and
daughters. The decorations. which were
arranged under the careful supervision of
the Daughters of Erin, consisted, in oddi-
| ton to number OF palms and other
| potted plants, artistically placed, of n
| large United States flag on the left of The
stage. Texas nag of similar size on
the right, and between them the flag of
| ireland, the white harp on the background
| OF green contrasting pleasingly with the
red, white and blue Of the American en-
blems. Above the Irish flag was sus-
| pended the motto, "Cead Millie Failtha."
and on either side OF 1t was a banner of
| the Ancient Order of Hibernians Ban
| ners Of the Emmett society and other flags
adorned the boxes.
! The programme was opened with a char
acteristlc overture, played by Herb G.
/ Lewis orchestra Following this came
| Annie Laurie" which was most pleas
lngly rendered on the piano by Miss Teda
tourmy Miss Fourmy showed herself
| 20 be skilled musician. and her per-
iormanco elected considerable applause
Inc thlrd number was duet, entitled
Maggie Darling" which was sung by
| Mrs A, I. Hume and her brother, MIR
| John ]. Connor, the accompap!st being
| Miss Riesner. The voices OF the two
| VocalistS blended beautifully, and they
We're accorded an enthusiastic encore. to
| which, however they did not respond on
! account OF the length of the programme
mr. James Welsh who next sang Sing
a Song for Ireland" was greeted with an
plause when he stepped before the foot
nights. and the enthusiasm which pre-
| vailed at the close of his pleasing tenor
| solo was so marked and so persistent thar
he was compelled to respond. He gave as
au encore on the Hillside another pref
ty Irish air, which found great favor
among the audience.
Inc next number was soprano solo an
tltled Dear Little Shamrock" which
was effectively rendered by Mrs Frank
Jones bunch of shamrocks being car
ried by the singer to add to the express
slVeness of the song. Mrs Jones ner
tormance was heartily encored but oh.
did not respond '''
| AZ TINS 1uncturo committee OF we'll
known members Of the societies having
inc celebration in hand. escorted Hon,
dudley g. Wooten, the orator of the even
ing on tho stage After the chairs nlaced
there for the purpose had been occnnied
captain james Lawlor stepped forward
ana IN few brief. but expressive wards
totd OF the object OF the celebration. He
concluded by introducing Mayor Sam II.
u plasnear' VINO In turn introduced Mr..
Mr. Wooten, after the applause caused
ny ms appearance had subsidized heqau
~ saying that he had considered the in
Vitatlon to address the united irish a.
U'eues lhst year as great personal priv
nieso. ana that he was all the more pleased
ana Bratiiied by being able TO amman no.
lore them on the present occasion Tbers
was no holiday, he said, which was looked
| forward TO with more tenderness ami
reverence than that which was celebrat
eu IN honor of lreland's patron saint There
M s many lessons 20 be probably learned
rom TINS event, not only by the men
una women TO whom IL properly belonged
nut 10 the people of other races and other
creeds as well. In the first place, he said
we were all Americans. the freshman
uouoly SO, because of his inherent love OF
| liberty and OF his devotion TO the country
OF his adoption. The past year had brought
up many issues, all Important many Of
tnem very much so. The questions OF
what is true Amercanism and how best
70 preserve and maintain II had been de-
Veloped, He went on TO show that Ameri-
canism was a more than exalted product
ana mat its preservation in its highest
ana best state was highly essential TO
" the Irish race had contributed much
Inc highest form OF government was that
| toNhuVu uH tue Wishes ana the beliefs nf
tho governed. In this connection ths
speaker touched on the question of Inn
peralism, saying that between American
ism and Imperialism there was an uufatb-
enable gulf He then went on to show
me contributions OF the Irish to American
liberty and from that point he led nm 10
the sufferings borne by the people OF the
Emerald isle in their struggles against
British desnotism, Then he showed that
lrishmen were capable of great things.
pointing out the fact that the present lead =
ers of Englands army and navy we're n,
Irish extraction and that. moreover. the
race had no little influence for the better
IN the career OF Spain. He showed how
the Irish people had come TO this country
mo many trials experienced by them and
their potent lsbors towards liberty and
Independence in their highest and haat
forms. They had felt the rod OF despotism
IN their own country and they came here
70 ma peace. He spoke of Patrick Henry
and OF his works. and mentioned the names
OF several generals in both the Federal
| ana The Confederate armies who were
Irishmen. Then he led aewn 10 the nras-
emit day and named Mckinley and BRYAN
as descendants OF Irlshmen He Maid
glowing tribute to the latter. and his re-
marks we're greeted with enthusiastic an
plause.
Mr.. wooten at this point again Tool, -,
he question OF imperialism. appealing IN
the Irish citizens yo1 this country Ia nre
serve, uneorruptqd, the principles OF true
Americanism. lie closed by an expression
OF regret at HIS inability to remain untii
me completion OF the programme. as hs
found II necessary to return 10 snstin
last night. In conclusion. he wished the
united Irish societies unlimited progress
and prosperity
AS Mr. Wooten resumed his seat. Mr.
ID, d, Bryan stepped forward ami pre-
seu.ea nun with a magnificent bouquet OF
Gala lilies n tributa From, tha r,s,',r,,.,.
OF the Republic Of Texas In view Of me
beautiful compliment paid that orranizas
ton by Mr.. Wooten In his dedication ~
Scarns history of Texas A letter to tbis
enect signed by Mrs. Marie Bennet Or.
ton, was read by Mr. BRYAN.
Mr., Wootcn made a few feeling remarts |
N accepting the bouquet touching therein
OF ne noble work done by The paurhters
+ The balance OF the well arranged pro-