The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-11-14

bury. Michael J. Shea, Frank J. Gala
han Thomas Riley Daniel Downey,
Patrick ]. McManus, William A. Walsh
of MilIbury, Peter A. Conlin, John e.
Hanley, William Dunn, John ]. Power,
J. S. Lyons, James P. Higgins, Col
Roger F. Scannell of Boston, John
Woods of Boston, Mark Cream OF Bos-
ton and others.
After the greeting of the audience
was quieted Alderman Mcmahon called
the assembly to order and introduced
Mayor Philip j. O'Connel as the pre-
siding officer Of the meeting. Alder
man McMahon spoke as follows:
Ladies' and Gentlemen In behalf of
The committee having in charge the ar
rangements for this reception to the
distinguished ambassadors from Ire
land. beg leave to thank you for the
generous and spontaneous cooperation
which you have given to us. Indeed
l might say with truth that so great
has been the enthusiasm and interest,"
of the people of Worcester in the Visit
TO our CITY of the Irish ENJOYS, that the
success of this grand demonstration
was assured from the very moment OF
its first announcement
IF there is one significance more
than another to be attached to TINS
7 believe, to the fact that the heart OF
the grand old commonwealth of Mas
sachusetts beats as warmly tonlghl TOT
the sacred cause of human 1perty as
it did upon that historic day in April
1775. when the farmer bows OF Wofces-
ter, under the command of Col. Ilmothy
Bigelow, marched away from yonder
Common for Lexington and Concord
to ioin that immortal revolutionary
army which was destined under the
Providence of God to Danish the RED
flag of England forever from this lana;
ut was the custom in those OLD
colonial days for the people OF Wor-
cester to assemble upon the Common
within the shadow of the Old South
Church and there to deliberate and to
take counsel among themselves upon
the great questions which at that time
were agitating the public mind and in
variably upon those occasions the pre-
siding officer was chosen from among
the chief magistrates of the town. In
accordance with the spirit of that old
custom we have assembled here tonight
in order that we might take counsel
and deliberate upon the momentous
question of the rights and wrongs of
+be irish people and we have selected
as the presiding officer of this assem-
bIv the present chief magistrate of our
city. whom l have now the honor to
present to you Hon. Philip J. oCon-
nell. mayor of Worcester
In rising TO assume the office of presi-
dent Mayor O'Connell was given the
greatest reception in his career. The
audience received him with applause
and cheers that fell to hush, only TO
he renewed with greater Vlgor three
times. When quiet was finally resumed
and he could make himself heard, ne
said: ,.,,
Fellow Citizens of Worcester
'T wish to thank you for the great
privilege and the great honor of pre-
siding over this meeting tonight, ana
especially for the opportunity of well
coming to the city of Worcester, in
YOUR name the distinguished gentle
men who are to address you this even
ing. s.oo ,ond Of
ours is there 10 be found a more lib
erty-loying community than here in
the CITY of worcester; and l am con-
fdent that 1 express the sentiments OF
the people of this city when l welcome
TO Worcester our distinguished guests
from across the water.
THE people of this city and OF TINS
commonwealth have never yet ralled
from the beginning of the repuolc 10
the present hour TO lend helping
hand and to say friendly word OF en-
couragement to any nation engaged IN
a struggle for liberty and indepen-
dence.
st has mattered not whether it was
the Cubans struggling to throw of the
cruel burden of Spanish tyranny or
whether it be the Dutch farmers OF
the South African republic engaged In
the gallant and heroic effort Of main
tanning the independence and stability
of their republic, or whether it Is the
people of Ireland demanding justice
and liberty from the English govern
ment. the people Of Worcester are
anxious and willing to give the cause
in which they are engaged their sym
pathv their aid and support am
confident. therefore, in saying to the
envovs of the Irish parliamentary,
party. Messrs. Redmond, ODonneI
and McHugh. that they will receive
Prom the citizens Of Worcester a
friendly and sympathetic greeting.
when. a few months ago. the news
came from abroad that the people OF
ireland and especially the members Oh
the irish parliamentary party hao at
last found a common platform upon
which all could unite, and that heiice-