The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-19
DID HONOR TO ST. PATRICK
Irish mericans Gathered About
the Banquet Board.
Feastin2. speech Making, and Song
Mark the Occnsion-Mnny Tributes
TO the Emerald Isle and Her Sons
The Tonsts and the Responses.


TO the Emerald Isle and Her sons
The Tonsts and the Responses.
Some seventy-five sons OF old ireland
gathered at Rauschers last night to cele-
brate the memory Of their patron saint
with the Society of Friendly Sons of st.
Patrick. The affair took the form of a
reception and banquet and was attended
by many Of the most prominent Irish
Americans in the city. An enjoyable
evening was had. Among those who re
sponded to toasts were Senator Hawley
Of Connecticut. Corporal Tanner, Rev.
DR. d. ]. stafford. Rev. DR.. Shahan. Jo-
seph r. Murphy and Rev. +. H. Rocker.
Dominick l. Murphy, commissioner Of
Pensions, was toast-master.
The exercises We're stamped with the
true spirit Of loyalty to the "ould sod
and every reference to Erin was greeted
with prolonged applause. The banquet
was opened with the toast, The Immor-
tai Memory Of St Patrick" which was
drunk standing, and in silence. The ban
quet hall was tastefully decorated with
flowers, plants, and palms, with here and
lnere, q bunch OF ShamrOckS.
At 7:30 O'Clock the reception began, the
Committee on Arrangements introducing
each member and guest. While that was
in progress a musicale was held in the
rarlors, the orchestra rendering appro-
pirate IRISH airs.
The banquet began at $50. The table
was laid in the form of a huge horse
shoe, with u. /. Murphy in the centre.
The walls of the hall were hung with
American and Irish flags. gracefully
draped and fcstooned. In the centre OF
the horseshoe stood handsome por-
trait of Robert Emmett, draped in sham
rocks and Irish flags. The portrait was
presented by John r.. Mclean 10 the SO
ciety. The tables were arrayed in white
and green. with the latter predominating.
Long lines of smilaX intertwined with the
shamrock. Even the butter served was
green and served in the shape of u coil
ed snake.
After several songs had been rendered,
Toastmaster Murphy arose and stated the
object Of the gathering. He said the eel
ebration of the death of st. Patrick was
the greatest anniversary in all the holt
days, and that it had been celebrated for
over 1000 years.
He then introduced Rev Thomas J.
Shahan, Il. D.. of the Catholic University.
who spoke on ireland, the Land of Our
Fathers.
DR. shahan said that ireland was well
into the eighth century of its political
history. He said that all history had
been changed 10y lrelands protests
against the efforts of England.
THAT protest" continued Dr. Shahan,
gave the democracy of England cheap
bread; it sent new men to Australia and
caused Washington TO cross the Della
ware. 1t has caused this latest phase Of
freedom-the Boer war. The little hand
full fighting for life has tonight our SYM
pathy. TApplause.l
Now, why is this nationalism among
the Irish? 1t is the conviction that Ire
land is a nation, and rather than have
her become a slice of England. we would
have her disappear. The word ireland
can arouse applause anywhere. 1t is a
talisman. The lovely green land; ma
lures only emerald. Its very antiquity
has about IT sacred something which
makes us reverence it. Its golden wales
are NOT unworthy of Paradise. 1t was
made for a happy, innocent race and 1t
should be so today.
Ireland has had her share of the glories
of history In past decades her hosts
made history. Rome never dared invade
her. Since the world became Christian
her share to preserve the vernacular of
the past. But l speak not of her past
] want to refer to the Ireland of today
There is no people so kindly, so simply
human, as the Irish. ireland stands
among the symbols of logged resistance
10 harm, and she always holds a welcome
for her eNiled sons.
1.-The idea Of a nationality is part of
the blood of the Irish people. We see
that the population of Erin is dwindling.
This is because Irishmen are fighting
England's battles. while Englishmen stick
TO their money-bags There are 20,00l0D
Irishmen throughout the world. There
are few at home. Yet all love to believe
that they retain their nationalism. For
the right of nationhood the struggles of
q century have been fruitless Ne have
tried everything, and today we stand Just
where we stood when Robert Emmett as
cended the scaffold. But we will cherish
forever the hope Of national independence
and we will have it in the end.
I'VE see the brutal scene in South Afri-
ca, and can hope for no immediate sue