The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-19
MEMORY OF ST. PATRICK
Tenth Annual Celebration Of the
Ancient Order of HibernianS.
Two Thousand People at National
Rifles Armory - Representative
Champ CInrl. Praises Irish Intel
Iect and Nalor-spccchcs by Rev.
L. }. Gnrr!Enn and Hossa Downing

The tenth annual St Patrick's Day cele-
| bration of the Ancient Order of Hiber
mans of the District Of Columbia was held
last night at National Rifles Armory. Two
thousand people were present. Irish wit
| floated into the air and ran through some
| latter day problems. There were several
well-known speakers. including the Hon.
| Champ Clark of Missouri.
| I'VE ousted Roberts because he had
three wives" said Mr.. Clark toward the
conclusion of his speech. yet today we are
paying a salary to the harem-keeper o.
the Sultan of the SuIus, who has three
hundred wives.
1T seems to me-" continued Mr.. Clark,
that it is only a matter of a short time
before no statesman will be well equipped
until he has harem and a harem keeper"
Mr.. Clark was very bitter in referring to
the press censorship that is being main
tanned at the present time in the Philip
pines. He spoke of the time when it was
criminal offence to speak derogatorily of
| the President of the United States.
Suppose that law was in effect today"
said Mr.. Clark. how many of US would be
| in jail and how many of the citizens of
! America would have been arrested during
the last two years OF Cleyeland's Admins
tration.
Il like the Irish he said. because TIA
Irish appear to like me- and then the
| speaker explained that he was not made
| an 1rishman until after he was forty years
of age, when Hibernian society took him
in as an honorary member.
In speaking of the Anglo Boer war Mr.
Clark expressed his sympathy for the SOL
diers OF South Africa.
"A majority of the American people" he
said, "are not going to sympathize with
the English either in the Transyaai or III
Ireland. The Boer war is disgrace to
civilization, and all the civilized nations
! should rise as one to prevent further
bloodshed. There is way of offering in
! tervention that will intervene" When
Mr.. Clark referred to Chamberlain the
| name was hissed.
The Beers have great reasons to fight"
| the speaker continued "Oh, what a brutal
performance is made in sending General
Cronje, the Boer warrior. who now takes
his place among the worlds heroes. to the
Island of st. Helena. There England mur-
dered Napoleon. and there she intends to
murder Cronje.
Leaving subjects of current interest Mr..
Clark turned his attention TO discussion
of the men of Irish extraction who have
distinguished themselves during the past
400 years. He spoke OF Jackson, Grant,
Hayes. Polk. Mckinley and Sheridan. say
ing that Irishmen had illustrated bravery
and heroism always, and that Irish soldiers
had shed blood in all parts of the world
Mr--Clark said that. Andrew Jackson was
one of the greatest friends of human lib
erty that ever lived. William Jennings
Bryan was also referred to as being one of
the most masterful men living today. He
had Irish blood in his veins
Iy,c
among us but they have made some of our
statesmen, given us some of our songs and
our speeches. and have helped to fight cur
battles. Irish lads have married AmeTi-
can girls and Irish lassfes have married
American men, until we hardly know
whether we are TrishAmerican or Ameri-
can-Irish"
Mr. Clark made his talk particularly in
terestiBg by relating humorous stories,
which he told in a pleasing manner.
The meeting was opened with an intro
ductory address delivered by Rosa f.
Downing. The speaker devoted the greater
portion of his speech to the situation in
the Transvaal. He intimated that the dis
cussion OF the Canadian boundary line
question had beer~heid up in order that
England might be given free hand to
carry on the war.
Il hope" said Mr. Downing that Dom
Paul Will struggle on until the next Presi-
Dental election. when the American Deo-
pie can be given an opportunity to express
their feelings in the matter. What is
wanted is self-government in the Trans
vaal, as well as in Ireland.
Are we to kneel before the Queen be-
cause she condescends to visit us? Never!
Does the Queen. who allows the fighting
Irish soldiers to wear the green in their
hats as a matter of policy. expect us TO
forget the wrongs that have been done in
former years. Mr.. Downing concluded
his address amid loud applause.
Rev. =. j. Garrigan was introduced In a
speech of considerable length Rev Dr. Gar
rigan spoke of the leading characteristics
Of the Irish people He said that the most
striking characteristic of the race was
their zeal in the cultivation and distribu-
tion OF knowledge.
When st. Patrick came to Ireland" be-
gan Rev. Dr.. .Garrigan. he did not find bar
barians. but instead came in contact with
a civilized people. They had their laws
and their Judges. They were fond of
music and song, loving literature and
living happily under the tribal system The
indications are that they were a civilized
people before the foundations of Rome
were laid. Even before her conversion to
Christianity ireland was well advanced in
science. history, and other high branches
of learning
ireland was never happy or prosper
Gus. the speaker said, after she became
dependency. She was conquered. but she
never gave up her national spirit She
might be forbidden to learn. but she could
Eot be forbidden to think She is stjIl
thinking. and that thought will some day
break out to overpower her enemies.
With supreme cunning England has
made an effort to keep Ireland back by
forbiddinS education there. and until this
very day the Catholics in ireland do not
enjoy the full privilege of education. There
are four Catholics to one Protestant in
Ireland. yet there is not a single college
maintained By the Government for the
Catholics, while its supports four institu-
tiOns of learning for the non Catholics.
including the Trinity College of Dublin"
OF musical selections. both vocal and in
OF musical selection. both vocal and in
strumental, was carried out.
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