The San Francisco call., 1899-05-08
a A%a&-1->-a-%-a->-4 4
PRIVATE B. NJ. POWER,
Winner Of the Contest.

Cross yesterday afternoon Throughout
the afternoon the cheering and applaud
ing were incessant. and when Bernard
NJ. Power of Company G. St. Brigid's
parish, was declared the winner of the
contest the noise was deafening. Cheer
after cheer rang through the hall as
Father ORyan pinned the silver medal
on the young mans breast. and he was
congratulated on all sides for his able
argument on temperance and patriotism.
His rivals for the much coveted prize
were Harry Hunt of St. Francis and
Color Sergeant George Shaw OF Sacred
Heart parishes. who creditahly acquitted
themselves. William Rattigan, who was
scheduled to uphold. St. Mary's Cathedral
In the contest, did not put in an appear
ance.
Of the "Ven Creator" by the entire au-
dience. Thomas Fallop, a leader in the
organization. then stated that owing to
illness Lieutenant Colonel Ryan was un-
able to act as chairman. and as that duty
fell on him he outlined the reason for the
gathering and took occasion TO sharply
reprimand the parents and members OF
the League of the Cross for the vacant
seats in the hall. He said there was not
the interest in the cause of temperance
that the times warranted. He stated
that every seat in the ball should have
been occupied. making it necessary for
the members of the league TO stand IN
the aisles as at previous affairs of its
kind. In concluding, the chairman stated
that the contestant coming off victorious
would be entitled to compete in August at
the general rally for the Archbishop's
diamond medal. He then stated that Rev.
Father James Mcdonald, Brother George
of the Brothers of-Mary. and Miss Julia
Coffey had been chosen as judges: me
contestants were then called to the plat
form and were roundly cheered by their
friends and comrades
Harry Hunt was the first speaker. In
ringing sentences he pictured the folly
of intemperance and illustrated his
thoughts with examples from ancient his
tory His essay was trihe hfgh-hoWn.
but 1t seemed to strike his listeners just
right. as they applauded his efforts when
he finished.
Color Sergeant George Shaw followed
and spoke along the lines of the preced-
ing speaker Sergeant Shaw's delivery
was even and fOrcible, but the stops he
made injured his chances with the judges
Above the loud cheers that greeted the
conclusion of his essay was heard the
war cry of his company:
Re. re, re,
Blue and white,
George Shaw is out of sight"
When the noise had subsided the au-
dience arose and sung the national hymn
After that Mr.. Fallon introduced Private
Bernard Power and again the hall was
filled with the shouts and applause of tne
10y greater popularity than the previous
speakers as the reception he received
was practically an ovation. He launched
out into a logical and able argument on
Prevalent among the majority of the
thinking people is the mistaken opinion that
patriotism is incompatible with quiet, indus
trious life and the exact fulllment of ordin-
airy duties. In the minds of most people pa
triotism ia associated with daring deeds. hair
breadth escapes and the killing of tyrants. but
the name has n far deeper far wider and
far more practical Specification. Whatever
tends TO the good OF the state. whatever tends
TO improve society. whatever tends to better
the condition OF his fellow countrymen. is
worth all the attention of the patriot. And let
it be remembered that whatever tends to the
coed Of the individual tends to the good of the
state. Il
He then dwelt on the value of temper
ance and pointed his remarks with some
apt Illustrations. In concluding he said:
Let us not only practice ourselves but by
every means in our power induce others to
practice virtue, which is the best safeguard
against crime; that virtue is the surest guar
antee that not of us Will be disgrace to
his family, to the society in which he moves.
and TO that nation whose makers have be
queathed to a heritage which 1t should be
glory to increase rather than destroy, and
to the preservation of which our highest aspi-
rations should tend
Another deafening roar greeted his