The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-18
BANQUET At DENIs0N
ANNUAL AFFAIR OF THE FRIENDLY
SONS OF ST. PATRICK.
About One Hundred Guests Present.
Judge Gibbons, of Chicago, the
Principal Speaker.

banquet at the Denison. The large dining
room was beautifully decorated, the tables
being veritable beds of American beauties.
While the banquet was being served a
specially prepared programme was rem
dered by Montani brothers orchestra.
About one hundred guests were present.
With the coffee Frank b. Burke, toast
master. introduced Sherman Steele, of this
city. as the first speaker. The toast offered
by Mr.. Steele was 1.-The Day We Cele-
brate." He said it was a fitting day to
assemble and let hearts go out in sympa-
thy to the people across the sea. He said
the record of the story of the Irish peo-
pie is the record of the most beautiful and
most pathetic tale ever told.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Steele's remarks,
the POSTMASTER introduced Hon. John
Gibbons. chief justice of Cook county
Circuit Court of Chicago. In response to
the toast of ''Our Country" Judge Gibbons
said, Nations like individuals have their
days of destiny and doom. Ever as their
lights or shadows cleaning or darkening
the pages of history, cast joy or sadness
upon the hearts best feeling and while
We to-day regret the fate which drove us
from the land of our birth, we raise our
voices in endless joy and boundless praise
for the privileges afforded US in this fair
land of our adoption. The establishment
of the Republic was proclamation to the
world that at last land was opened and
a government instituted, under which all
men could enter the lists of life and en-
deavor, upon an equal footing.
IRISH TOOK ADVANTAGE.
mo class, greater in numbers, or
stronger in purpose, took advantage of this
opportunity than the Irish. No class has
proven itself more capable of growth and
advancement under these benign conditions
than they. In all that constitutes the true
citizen and patriot, when the life of the
Nation was in peril, they proved themselves
peers of the noblest and the best. Such has
been the result, because here they found
and utilized fair field and full play for
individual energy. talent and effort
Here tonight, looking back over the
eventful periods in our Nations history,
we may point with pride to the efforts and
achievements of our race in every line of
social endeavor and civic duty.
Men of Irish birth and lineage have
contributed in minor degree in formu-
lating and forwarding the intellectual adj
vance. the heroic prestige and material
greatness of the United States.
This is our country. We are not alien
here. We helped make 1t what 1t is. We
rejoice in her greatness. We share in her
tribulations. The chaste headstones which
adOrn the solemn cities of the dead, where
mingle the dust of immortal heroes, fallen
that our country might live, speak more
eloquently than words, Americas lasting
debt of gratitude to the heroes of our race
who sealed with their lifes blood their
loyalty to the stars and stripes.
THE strength and pride of American cit
izenship find their inspiration and growth
in that civil and religious liberty and po-
litical equality which are not enjoyed else
where among the nations of the world. A
religious liberty and political equality
which involve absolute. free and untram-
meled speech and action of the individual,
perfect independence of the man. consistent
with and conducive to the perfect peace
and prosperity of society.
These inestimable privileges and bless
ings, priceless heritages of all citizens of
the Republic can only be preserved and
enjoyed through the fullest and freest ex-
ercise of all the rights of citizenship. Any
organization which seeks to restrict such
free exercise of individual action in any
pursuit of life dwarfs the manhood and
destroys the independence of its members.
utterly disqualifying them for the noblest
duties of freemen.
THE FUTURE.
'I do not despair of the future. The peo-
pie will adjust the wavering balance and
work out their own destiny. The spirit
of patriotic inquiry is in motion, and it can
not be stopped. 1t is like the rising tide
which, however it may seem to recede,
gains ground with every recurring wave.
"Our industrial condition is fraught with
momentous possibilities. new economic
polity is national necessity. The broad
est liberality, the highest political wis
dom, the most practical knowledge of af-
E,s, a<fa tive
recognition of natural justice and natural
right, must inspire and perfect that policy
which will meet the exigencies of the con-
ditions calling for it. l therefore would
admonish my countrymen of the danger
and emphasize the fateful truth that there
can be no true liberty beyond the pale OF
we'll digested law. Progress and reform,
liberty and law. are the inseparable hand
maids of God-fearing people.
1.-The troubles and dangers that confront
us as nation must be met and conquered
within our own borders. There is no other
possible escape. Emigration has been the
safety and salvation of Eastern lands.
There can be no emigration from America.
This is the Mecca of the human race, the
final resting place of unresting humanity.
"Earth's imperial people have ever
moved westward as if impelled by re-
sistless power divine, and parallel with
their migrations civilization and sover-
eighty moved. The worlds scepter has
made the circuit of the earth: first raised
and WlelQeQ In Egypt, IL pdSStU W OreeCc,
from Greece to Rome from Rome to
France, from France to England, and from
England it is passing unto America; here
to remain for the Orient is just beyond US,
the land where it first arose. BY the logic
of causes that know no change, the solu-
ton of the problems, mighty and grave,
which confront us as people must be
reached through agencies of our own, and
that solution not only involves the life or
the Nation. but it comprehends the future
of the world
FATHER MCABE TALKS.
Governor Mount, who was to have been
present to respond to the toast "Our
State" was too i'll to be present. and the
POSTMASTER called upon Father Dennis
McCabe to respond in his place. Father
McCabe spoke of his pride In having been
born in the State of Indiana, and said that
there was not citizen within the State
who could not be justly proud of Indiana
and her achievements. He spoke or the
great men that Indiana has sent forth
to do service for their country, and said
that Indiana's sons had no reason to blush
for them. He said he was sorry that he
was not more familiar with the history OF
the State, as nothing would have afforded
him more pleasure than to have dwelt
upon her beauty and her greatness.
In response to the toast Our City,
Mayor Taggart said he believed there was
not a citizen who lived In Indianapolis that
was not proud of the city. He spoke of the
city's wonderful progress and said II was
the greatest inland city in the world In
/ conclusion he said he believed that the