Waterbury Democrat., 1902-05-26
THE A. Q. H. MEETING
Father slocum Kept His Audience tn
 Good Natured Mood.

Father Slocum Kept His Audience fn
 Good Natured Mood.
 Notwithstanding the indictment weather there was a good attendance at the lecture and entertainment given in City hall last night under the aus pices of the Third division, A. O. H. D. J. Griffin presided The opening number was a solo Brian Boru," by Miss Katherine G. Gloster. She was encored and responded by an excel lent rendition of Balfe's ever popular Killarney" sErin's Green Flag Rev Abram J. Ryan's spirited poem, was given with touching effect and good elocution by Prof NJ. c. Donovan. Master Edward Keefe sang "A Man sion of Aching Hearts," He made hit. MissDenehy presided at the piano.
 Father Slocum was introduced by Chairman Griffin as one whose voice had so often stirred the hearts of the people of this town and other places He was given a magnificent reception. Father Slocum spoke for over an hour and half and held the closest atten- tlon of his hearers. Shortly before 10 o'clock he looked at his watch and re- marked that it was about time for him 10 stop. Some one in the audience yelled "Go on father" and the audience shouted in approval. He yielded to the request and kept at it until about fifteen minutes after ten, when he closed one of the most remarkable discussions ever heard on the IriDIl question in this town. He revieWod the subject with great accuracy from '9S to the time of the Parnell U-ove- ment, talking of Flood, Pitt, 8nft, OConnell, Davis, Mitchell MeNlhcr, O'Brien and others, with as mETb fa- miliarity as if he had been an actor i'll the scenes he was depictiggn and had come ill personal contaes with tEose who figured in them. EG open ed his address by calling attenIson to the importance attached by President Roosevelt, and the American people generally to the unveiling of the Rochambeau monument at Washing ton and then explained that it was in recognition of the service rendered the colonial army during the struggle for independence by the French who arrived here at a time when the shat tered Revolutionary army and it's lead CT were almost discouraged and forced the surrender of Cornwallis at York town, practically establishing a free republic in this country. Without this aid such thing would be an impossi- bility or still III the remote future. He considered the colonists no more i'll the right in their fight for self-govern- ment than the Irish, nor as much. be- cause their suffering was not of as long duration. The speaker devoted about half hour to the Irish ques- tion from purely business standpoint during which he showed why the Eng fish people aim to keep down manufac- lures in Ireland. The statistics pub lished last year show 273 manufactur- ing concerns ill all Ireland, employing S0,OOO persons out of a population of 100000. The country pays about S15,- 100000 annually to absentee landlords, who spend this money on the conti- nent. He wanted to know how country could be contented under these conditions.
 The part religious bigotry has always played in the Irish question was ex- posed in a masterly manner. When ever there appeared signs of the peo- pie getting together for a common cause the professional preacher was let loose and the pope and the Catholic religion instead of the real question was pushed to the front. In this way the people have been kept apart. He reviewed in detail the history of the Grattan parliament, the O'Connell movement, including Catholic enamel patton and the tithe war, the Young Ireland party, the Fenian and Parnell movements He created wild shout of applause when he said that next to Parnell, Father Walsh, one of his predecessors. a pastor of the Immacu- late Conception church, had done more than any other man for the Irish cause during the Parnell movement He also stated that. at that time Wa terbury contributed more to the cause than any town of it's size in the coun- try, and hoped that ill case the agita- ticn in this country ever again as- sumes such proportions as it attained in those days that the people at home will be permitted to carry on the war fare along lines to suit themselves. He then gave out some timely hints regarding the lack of knowledge among Irish-Americans of the merits of the Irish question and also pointed out what an important part the demon of discord has always played in keeping the people divided. When they stand together he said, and see no foe but the common foe, they will gain their point, but not before.
 Father Slocum has made four or five visits to Ireland and deals with the subject from a personal Knowledge of the situation.