The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-03-20


 siasm the Order of the Evening
 About I65 Presemt-Magnif n ificent Din -
 ner Served--The Annual Banquet of
 the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick Also
 HeId-A Brilliant Success.
 The most successful banquet the Knights of St. Patrick ever enjoyed was held in Harmonic hall last night amid a blaze of enthusiasm and good feeling in honor of Ireland's patron saint. It was the twenty-t third annual dinner of the Knights, and from all sides it was proclaimed to be the most enjoyable affair the club has ever known The bad weather kept away about twenty who had intended to be present, but notwithstanding that fact there were about 165 present. including nearly every prominent Irishman in New Haven. Mayor Driscoll was to have made an address, but he was not able to attend, being confined to his bed with a severe cold. Others on the toast list remained intact. letter was read from President IIadley, who intended to respond to the toast "The United States" President Hadley in his letter said that he was sorry he was unable to be present but was obliged to attend meeting in Boston. A hearty cheer was given for the presi- dent after the letter was read
 Dr. Matthew c. O'Connor, the presi- dent of the Knights of St. Patrick club, read the letter, and in his opening ad- dress spoke as follows:
 SPEECH OF DIR. O'CONNOR.
 Brother Knights: It gives me great pleasure to welcome you, one and all, to our festive board tonight to cele- brate the natal day of Ireland's patron saint This celebration is first of all a duty required by the constitution of our society which ordains, that this association shall celebrate each recur- ring anniversary of St. Patrick's day in a social and intellectual manner, and in spirit cherishing the hope of Ireland's Independence, which is the fundamental principle on which this association is based. And while the hopes of Ire lands independence has been quiescent for quite while past, on account of the lack of harmony between Irelands champions it is hoped that the recent union of all the elements of Irelands patriots that the permanent results will be greater than that which England's present enthusiasm for Irish valor as displayed on the bloody fields of South Africa and the permission of England's queen to her Irish soldiers to wear the shamrock as badge of honor on St. Patricks day. and may home rule be once again the cherished aim to be at- tained, a stepping stone to Irish inde pendence Not only is it our duty to celebrate, it is also our pleasure to meet ip social fellowship many whom we have not had the pleasure of meet ing as often as we have desired during the year, and it is a great pleasure to listen to the eloquence and song with which our banquets are so plentifully interspersed. While the proper celebra- tion of St. Patrick's day is the fore most object of our society, there is another purpose striven for, namely, the social advancement of our people, for I hold that our efforts to cultivate and develop the social standing of our people, to increase their self-respect, to gain the respect and encomiums of the
 
 want of knowledge or prejudice were apt to decry and mayhap sheer is cer- tainly worthy purpose of our asso- citation. To make the young and rising generation of our people, not only not conceal, but openly and proudly pro- claim their ancestry is certainly an ob- feet well worth our most strenuous eff forts. And certainly such has been the ftnjn 1lzv Dr al tions, and thanks to the zeal manifested by our members in the sale of tickets and the good work of our efficient ball committee it was the universal opinion that never did we have reception on which were shoWered more flattering encomiums and praise. The beautiful decorations, the presence of so many handsome women in such elegant and becoming attire, the graceful and man. ly bearing of the Knights and other gentlemen who did their duty as escorts to the fair ones so gallantly and so well, the great attendance of spectators crowding to it's utmost the spacious seating capacity of the Hyperion, the pleasure and sociability' manifested by all was gratifying sight to us.
 It nerved everyone of the Knights
  cellence to which we have attained and | try and improve if that were possible. And now a few brief words in regard | to the society itself. Our membership | at present amounts to 245, and in spite | of the fact that we have found 1t nec- l essary to raise our annual dues from | the unreasonably low rate which pre- vailed. which was insufficient to provide | the comforts and conveniences which | our club house has taught us to require. | IA club house, by the way, which men | who have travelled the country wide, | state is not equalled anywhere where so much is provided for such moderate dues. In spite of this increase of dues, but three resignations have been ten dered since the society ratified the in- crease at our last annual meeting. Our financial condition is very satisfactory and would be still more so if more of the members became better acquainted with the comforts or our club house by more frequent attendance.
 And now to turn from the considera- tion of the gay and festive to our duty to the memory of our departed mena hers