The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-11-16

reason he was the good looking young
fellow of &C that stood before the ban
queters. In conclusion, he said that ne
| hoped God would bless the society and
its work, and, by way Of benedtction,
he expressed the wish that Worcester
might go no-license this election.
| John F. O'Connor spoke for Ire
land" a favorite subject with this bril-
liant young orator. Mr.. OConnor, IN
opening, spoke in the most eulogistic
terms of Father Mathew and his work
Touching upon Ireland, he told of the
achievements of the Celt in the United
States He recalled the immortal
names of Montgomery, who fell like
| Wolfe on the plains Of Abraham; of
Sheridan and his dashing career; or
John Stark, who swore to win at Ben
nington or Molly Stark would be a
| widow; of Sullivan, trusted general OF
Washington; Of Commodore Jack Ber-
ry, Half Yankee and half Irishman"
| of Andrew Jackson, whom he compared
| to Commodore McDonough, who
whipped the British on lake Cham
plain; of Gen. Meagher, who led the
Irish brigade in the glorious charge at
Fredericksburg; of Henry, Rutledge
and of Carroll Mr.. O'Connor made a
| decided hit and was loudly applauded
at the close
Senator Charles G. Washburn proved
to be a popular man. 1t was some time
| before the banqueters permitted him to
| speak. He said that the toast 'Massa-
| chusetts" would stir the most sluggish
heart. Irishmen and men Of Irish des-
cent were ever distinguished for love
of home and love of country. He
sketched the beginnings of Massachu
sets when a handful of pilgrims, who
came here from England and estab
lished commonwealth. The senator
praised the achievements of Irish
Americans in every field of effort in
the highest terms. They have played a
most important part in the develop
ment and upbuilding of the United
States.
Like Mgr. Griffin, Senator Washburn
touched upon the Joining of issues by
Father Mathew and William Martin,
and on the influence that the apostle
of temperance had over that matchless
orator, Daniel O'Connell. He drew out
the fact that O'Connell perhaps could
reach more people with his voice than
any man that ever lived, not excepting
Whitef1eld, the great Methodist preach
err. He commended the work of the So
ciety and said that the work of those
that turned men to righteousness would
shine on like the stars, forever and
ever, undiminished.
tor Hoar at the bi-centennial celebra-
ton, when Worcester was city of but
10000 inhabitants, said there were
something like 10000 people of Irish
blood here. Today, Mr.. Mellen said,
that there were fully $4,000. This was
a prelude to presentation of Mayor r.
B. Dodge, Jr. The mayor got a right
royal welcome. His face flushed with
pleasure at the kindly greeting.
Nod Sc, ,F H. 49, ,1-k
after dinner speakers in the city. He
said that for band of teetotalers the
Father Mathew society kept pretty late
hours. He told his wife when he set out
early in the evening that he was going
to temperance banquet and she said
she was glad to hear it, as she would
not have to sit up to open the door for
him. 1t was pleasant he said, to occas-
ionally attend a banquet to which the
governors of North and South Carolina
were not invited. He said that he was
the most practical temperance man in
the city for it was under his authority
that millions of gallons of water was let
on daily for consumption and use by
Worcester citizens. Half the municipal
debt is incurred in giving Worcester a
water supply.
The mayor made no aliustion to the
coming campaign, but he very pointed
ly told the story of the congressman
who on an occasion like this was told
to make the most of his opportunity by
initiating Webster in his reply TO
Hayne. Yes" said the congressman,
but it's pretty hard to strike Daniels
gait" This neat way of telling the ban
queters that he should make no attempt
to advance his own cause made a big
hit, and the applause circled the hall.
The mayor hoped that the work of
the society would go on and on. Wor-
cester, he said, has by no means reached
the summit of its development Wor-
cester ewes much to societies like the
Father Mathew organization.
Rev. Daniel F. McGillicuddy, pastor
of st. Stephens, said:
1t were needless, it seems to me, in
this age, to urge the necessity of the
benefit of organization. The close of
this century will leave as legacies many
vexing questions to be solved by states
men and political economists of the
new era which begins with 1901 Among
questions of public interest stands out
the identical problem born of the
mighty union of corporation, syndicate
and trust interests.
In an attitude, as yet protective rath-
err than aggressive, stand the great
bands Of organized labor, spread like a
/ network throughout the length and
| breadth of the land. Civil and social
societies, secret and benevolent associa-
tions, clubs and leagues, church and
| political societies, bespeak an American
mania and tell of the presence Of the
organizer in the community. Some are
harmless, few vicious, all are useful
II only to satisfy the natural American
propensity Of running for office. The
annual crop Of political aspirants. even
| in Worcester, is seldom a failure,
whether prosperity or calamity reign,
a republican in season or democrat out
of season, no-license dry year, or local
| option wet year. early frosts, blights or
| rot. The office-seeker is always with
us. AS the supply of offices seldom
meets the demand, 1t is perhaps well to
| have safety valve for the high pres
i sure of desire for distinction. The null
| tiplicity of elective and exalted posi-
| lions in the society life of the nation
| furnish a relief for what otherwise
might form dangerous condition.
! Imagine all the society presidents,
4 Vlce-presidents, secretaries, treasurers.
( exalteds and worthys, high and low
rulers, located in single ward, solicit
/ ing votes in a personal canvass for a.
seat in the legislature, a chair in the
aldermanic chamber, a place in the
common council, and you have a spec
5 -5 ~ =