The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-04-20
AMER|CAM-|RISH.
Historical Society Holds Annual Ban-
quet at Nanaganseti.
Eloquent Address BY President Gargan
Other Interesting Speeches.

The thirteenth annual banquet OF the
American Irish Historical society held
at the Narragansett hotel last evening.
was. as usual, very successful affair.
and among the gentlemen present were
Hon. f.. ID. McGuinness. Matthew j.
Cummings, Michael Fitzgerald, II. j.
Mccarthy. Col John McManus. Thos.
OGorman, James jeffrey Roche OF
Boston, Il. st. John Gaffney, John ID.
cummins and s. j. Richardson OF New
York. NJ. j. Harson was the toastmast-
or at the post-prandal exercises.
The principal address was made by
Hon. Thomas j. Gargan OF Boston.
president of the society, who after
speaking OF the part taken by patriotic
Irishmen In the stirring events OF the
American revolution, said:
Where can We flnl In history better
types Of true manhood than among the
founders of our republic, many of them
OF our own race and blood? This coun-
try has passed through four wars, and
an our time many are nlled with the
lust for new conquest. May we not we'll
pause on a day like this. and see
whittier We are driftingy Shall we
seek the friendship and alliance OF the
great robber nation OF the world.
whose flag is known where rapine and
wrong has been done to weak and feeb-
le races or shall we adhere To the doc
trine laid down by the Father of Our
Country, and observe good faith and
justice toward all nations; cultivate
peace and harmony with all?
Europe has a set of primary Inter-
ests which TO US have no relation, or, IL
any, very remote ones. our detached
and distant situation Invites and en-
ables US TO pursue different course.
Why forego the advantages OF SO pc
culiar a situation? Why, by inter-
weaving our destiny with that OF any
part OF Europe. entargie our peace and
prosperity in the tolls OF European am
bition, rivalshp, interest. humor or
caprice? IL is policy To steer clear OF
permanent alliances with any portion
OF the foreign world. There can be no
greater error than 10 expect or calcu-
late upon real favors from nation To
nation. TITS an illusion which expe-
rience must cure which "A just pride
ought To discard. Anything / might
add would be superfluous. IL we fol-
low such a policy we shall march for
ward prosperously the great industrial
nation of the world. light and an ex-
ample for future generations"
Addresses We're also made by John II.
Cummins OF New York; Rev. l.. Banks
Nelson OF Woonsocket, Rev. DIR. fha-
len of Concord ". H.: Thomas OMal-
ley Of Somerville. Mass. and Capt.
O'Meagher Congdon of New York.
AT the business meeting held prior to
the banquet the society placed itself
on record Al favoring December IL next
as Washington Memorial day. This
date is the anniversary OF the death OF
Gen. Washington. Communications
were read from various historical So
cieties: also a letter from the navy de-
partment, stating that the torpedo boat
O'Brien would be launched about July
l. ana the annual field day OF the soci-
~ will consequently be held at Eliza
bethpOrt. y. ].
Secretary Murray announced that
since the last meeting four members OF
the society had died-the Hon. Patrick
Walsh OF Augusta, Ca: the Hon. John
H. Sullivan and Col. Patrick T. Han
ley Boston, and the Hon. ELI Thayer
~ Worcester. A itting tribute was
paid 70 the memory Of each one. Thirty
nine gentlemen were elected TO men,
bership In the society.