The Irish standard., 1901-03-23
Several Thousand Stawart Sons of the Saint
in the Capital Of Minnesota.
They March Through the Streets with Bands andBanners
On the Glorious Anniversary. - sszss.
The Music and Oratoy at the Grand Opera House Ended
the Festivities Of the Day.

Sherman hall, where the Ladies'
Auxiliary of the Hibernian order
served dinner to the visiting delega-
tions, was the point selected for dis
bandment, and it was here that the
crowds gathered in such numbers as
to block street car traffic and suspend
locomotion along the sidewalks and
streets Carriages and wagons We're
caught in the crush, and it was only
after partial number of the large
crowd that besieged the hall had been
fed that the thinning out process be-
gan. The police aided in an attempt
to clear the Streets but their efforts
were unavailing, and it was only when
the hour for the celebration at the
opera house came that there was any
perceptible relief in the situation.
An Irish jaunting car, probably the
first ever seen in st. Paul, was one of
the features of the parade, and it's
appearance was greeted With cheers.
1t was in charge of Philip Potts, and
the other occupants were Thos. Han
Ion, Captain Thos. Cosllran and Denis
Trainer.
According to the railroads, the num-
Der Of visitors in St. Paul was nearly
5000, and half of this number took
part in the parade. Nearly all the Wis
itors brought their wives and families,
and TREY added to the crowds that gath
cred along the line Of march. The line
of march, which included Fourth,
Sixth and Wabasha streets, was sub
stantially as given i'll the Irish Stand
ard last week, and was observed in
detail.
| While the big parade taxed the capac-
ity of the streets to accommodate the
numbers that participated, the celebra-
tion at the Grand opera house, which
CONSISTED of program Of speeches and
music, was equally as great in extent.
Thousands besieged the doors, but
only a fair percentage of the crowd
that gathered could obtain admission.
The doors were opened precisely at
o'clock, and when the bolts were
drawn, the hundreds lined up in front
of the big building on st. Peter street
poured in and it was only when every
seat in the house was filled and the
aisles occupied that order could be re-
stored and further influx stopped.
Half an hour later the curtain went up
and the band opened the program with
a medley Of national Irish airs that
set the crowd to cheering and stamp
ing alternately with their feet as the
music assumed lively air
10 Judge William Louis Kelly was
accorded the honor Of making the prin-
cipal address, and as he came forward
with the salutation, '"The top O. the
mornin' to ye," he was greeted with
rousing cheers, while in answer from
the assembled crowds came bits of
raillery that kept the house in a roar.
Said Judge Kelly:
1T is not necessary that I should
|
say that esteem it high favor to
appear before such an immense audi
ence as this. All honor to the Irish
citizens Of Minnesota. am proud of
the appearance they made this after
noon in the Capital City of the state.
The American people have their day
in which to gather around the altar of
liberty and renew their pledges of
fealty. On the 22nd day of February
we recall the memory Of him, the IA
ther Of our country, Of whom it was
said he was first in war, first in peace,
and first in the hearts of his country
men. Again let us not forget the birth
of that other man, the immortal Abra-
ham Lincoln. His memory we revere,
and each year we gather to do honor
and homage to his name. To every true
lrishman these names are linked with
love and liberty, and it is similar oc-
casion that today sees this magnificent
audience gathered here to pay homage
to Ireland's patriot, the sainted Pat
rick.
"It is fitting that should say a few
words with reference to the sacredness
and holiness of this day. 1t is right
and proper that men of Irish blood
should keep up the memory Of the an
niversary Of Ireland's patron saint. 1t
is trite saying that the man who is
true to his mother land is true to the
land of his adoption, the country that
gave him life and liberty, America. It
seems to me that the time will come
when the old land will see her own
again. The Irish people have shown
fidelity and zeal that no people on
} Gods green earth have ever displayed.
You will win because God is Just. It