The Irish standard., 1900-03-24
THE APOSTLE OF IRELAND.
His Day Celebrated with Eclat In
Minneapolis.

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St. Patrick's Day was celebrated in
this city both as religious and national
holiday by his children in the faith.
At the different Catholic churches d.
vine service was held and pancgyrics
on the patron saint OF ireland were de-
livered. The green, "the color OF the
true" was generally worn, not only by
the Irish but by individuals OF every ma
tionality. The shamrock, or an imita-
ton OF it, was conspicuousIy displayed
throughout the day. The parishioners
of St. Stephens and Holy Rosary hon
ored the anniversary OF Erin's' apostle
by entertainments i'll the evening, but
the great event was the union celebra-
ton by St. Charles, St. Anthony, St.
Lawrence and Ascension parishes at
the Exposition building where an audi
ence of five thousand gathered to listen
to the STORY of ireland" by ex-Con-
gresham John F. Finerty of Chicago.
Mayor Gray was to have presided, but
had not returned from the cast, and ex-
Senator John T. MCGOWAN of1iciated in
his place. In an impromptu address,
appropriate to the occasion, he intro
duced Gov. Lind, who spoke briefly, in
a complimentary manner OF the Irish
as a race. The governor was fclcitous
in his statements. He told what St.
Patrick had done for Ireland, and said
that he had left the impress OF his char
acter upon the Irish people, especially
in the matter OF carnestncss and loyalty.
He briefly traced the history of Ireland
and its struggles for liberty, and stated
that no nation had suffered SO much for
the cause OF independence as had Ire
land. He then introduced Mr.. Fincrty,
who received All enthusiastic ovation.
He talked for over an hour, saying in
part:
"This is the 14o7tl, anniversary OF tho
death OF Patrick, the patron saint OF
Ireland, a name honorcd in the name
of millions OF Irislmen to-day-men
who are not ashamed to publish to the
world that they arc sons of the Emerald
Isle. There has been no miracle, since
Christ conquered the hearts OF his hear
ers, like that Of Saint Patrick, who in Il
single generation changed the Irish
people from worsllipcrs of the sun to
men who worsl1ipcd the father OF the
sun. The little flower the shamrock,
was taken by him as typical Of the trim
ity, and was used to teach his people
the mystery OF the three in one Since
then the shamrock has been part OF
the Irish banner, and it has never
known defeat when guarded by Irish
soldiery. 1t has remained for the
nineteenth century to witness the great
est injury to the Irish flag in its treat
mcnt by England, but it is not for Eng
land to pluck the shamrock from the
| hearts OF the Irish people AS the poet
says, the little flower pluclcd from its
place and thrown to the ground will
again take root and spring into proper
form. We no longer, like children, can
/ be pleased with 4 toy, but we know tic
purposes of England, and we here and
now promise the English nation no rest
until from the ashes OF burning Ireland
shall arise free Ireland in her place.
"That shamrock will some day stand
on the flag OF Ireland, and there will
be no union jack floating alongside to
remind us OF past wrongs England
with all her force, and with all her
arms, was never able to Danish the
shamrock, and tonight she is not able
to accomplish her purpose by strategy.
They may order it honorcd, but they
never can, try as they may, make the
7! little shamrock recruiting sergeant to
lure Irish soldiers to fight against their
god. We all understand what England
means, we all see her purpose, but
never for a moment will the sacred fires
OF Irish liberty, that have burned for
seven hundred years and more in mill
ions OF hearts, cease that burning until
the day dawns when Ireland will be
free, independent and making laws to
govern herself.
History tells of the crucible through
which Ireland passed, the invasion Of
the Mortimer, the Norman and the
English The destruction OF her schools
OF learning cry out in anguish from
every page in history. They tell US that
Ireland was conquered before Henry
WILL, but that is not so. The princes
OF Ireland governed the land with the
exception of a small territory until that
mortal polluted the earth with his ex-
istcnce. He was the one that placed
his foot on the breast OF Irish liberty.
Henry Will! What name to conjurc
by! He Of eight wives, two of whom
lost their heads because they failed to
suit his pleasure. He who, when he
died, was an object so loathsome, that
he had to be buried in the dead OF
night, so great was the abomination
that arose from his carcass. You all
know of Elizabcth's reformation in Ire
land, until there was nothing left for
her to reign over save bones and ashes.
The battles of the dauntless O'Neil are
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