Waterbury Democrat., 1902-05-23

was the principal entertaining feature. 0AKVlLLE HAPPENINGS.
 The May fete was commenced last evening in St Mary Iagdalene hall. It will continue one week. There was a very large attendance It promises to be one of the banner events of the seq son. For the stage entertainment to- night will be the Davis minstrels which cannot fail to please and Satur- day MT and Mrs Kelly, the weH-knoWn stars will appear. City Clerk M. J. Ryan opened the fete and spoke Ill very pleasing manner. nar- rating many pleasant incidents. His kindness in coming to assist is highly appreciated by the people of this place.
 During the course of Father Tray nofs remarks the scribe from behind the scenes culled the following:
 Ladies and gentlemen-It is Il so,1rca of great pleasure and joy to me to see so many of you here tonight who are III sympathy with our work and who are willing to give us the cooperation which this good work demands. [ tender to you all a thousand well comes. and l trust in return for your Kindness you will have not only tbe compensation of consciousness of dutv well done, but also a real social and pleasant time. We will endeayor to provide each evening something nov el, pleasing and elevating for your en- t&talnment. and I am> sure our mu- slclans and our prompter will aid you materially to pass gracefully through the merry whirl of the dance. We Did you all enter into the spirit of the occasion, each to contribute according to his or her ability to make all the others happy, and so spend these few festive evenings as to be enabled to treasure the memory of them for some time to come.
 The work we are engaged in is 2 glorious one. It is the upbuilding of the temporal side of the Kingdom of God. It is pre-eminently the lav- mans work. The laymen of this country have done great things dur- ing the generation that has just past. Ihelr spirit of self-sacrifice and Chrlstlan generosity have transformed the race of this fair and free land of ours into q Christian paradise of de- lights: have studded it's broad surface north, south, east and west with tenn ples to the living God, and with in stitutions of learning and piety that are well calculated to guard our country's progress along the paths that lead to legitimate success and conserve in it those principles that will make 1t eternal and immortal. Thanks to the good sense of the American people the days are Hitting when much Of that narroWness and bjgotry that impeded the work of Christian bodies is passing away. And when all are uniting more and more to work for God and the elevation of their fel low man. The more this spirit of unity and good will grows the better and. if it should continue to grow as 1t should, we will soon be able to sat an example to the other nations of the world that will have a salutary effect for the exaltatfon of tine human race America is yet bound to rule the world in many ways. The king doms and municipalities of the old world will pass away as their prede- cessors have passed away for they have in them an element of decay. but the American republic, founded on the principles of justice and equality. will, l trust, live forever. To secure it's perpetuity. however, we have a work to do, and in the execution of this work we must be guided by the light of faith and by the sense of jus tice. We must transfer to posterity the heritage our forefathers have transferred to us.
 This gathering tonight of many creeds and nationalities speaks well for the spirit of harmony, unity and good will that exists ill this little community of Oakville. Long may if live and flourish. But I must not weary you. Another is to come after me whom you prefer to hear The big city of Waterbury has sent Us con- tingeht-and such a popular and rep resentative contingent! Men whose word is as good as any mans bond, and whose standing is above reproach. After the fete is formally opened you will have the privilege of meeting them. And I know the canvassers will enjoy this privilege very much.
 It is but meet that the city which directs us. and edifies us so much. es- pecially in the irreproachabIe charac- ter of it's officials. should send us a delegation here tonight to point out the way that will bring our little en- terprise success. Now, the most pop ular. conscientious, affable and prudent of those men whom it's citizens by ac- clamation call good and noble, is about to tell you go ahead, work well, and to wish you God speed. I mean the genial, chivalrous and immensely popular city idol. the recording angel of the city of Waterbury. MT NI J. Ryan, the city clerk. Ladies and gen. tlemen, MT Ryan.