The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1902-03-29
Patrick's Day at Spokane.
Editor of the Irish Standard.

Editor of the Irish Standard,
The religious and patriotic observ-
ance Of st. Patrick's day in Spokane
was perhaps the most enthusiastic
ever held in this city. Solemn high
masses were celebrated in all the
Catholic churches to remarkably large
attendances. The patriotic celebration
by all the parishes was centralized I'M
der the auspices of the Ancient Order
of Hibernians, who gave a mammoth
Entertainment in the evening at the
Auditorium.
The program comprised Irish vocal
and instrumental music, Irish sketches
and monologues, the climax being
capped by soul-stirring address OH
1.-The Cross and the Shamrock" deliv-
cred in pleasing and forceful man.
ner by Rev. Charles O'Reilly, of Port
land, Oregon. The attendance taxed
the seating and standing capacity Of
the large Auditorium. An action that
has endeared the A. o. H. to their fell
low Catholics of this city was their
generosity in donating the proceeds of
their entertainment to the new build
ing fund Of Our Lady of Lourdes' par
ish
The A. o. III. committee OH ceiebra-
ton, which SO successfully made mi
mute arrangements for n program the
like of which was never heard here OH
u similar occasion, We're: s. w.
O'Brien, James Crosby, John McEvoy
and Father Verhagen. The individual
members of the. divisions worked hand
in glove with their committee, but not
ably to the earnest efforts of James
". Ahern, former county president of
the order, and John McEvoy was gen
eral interest melted among the Catho-
lies of the various parishes.
The program of the evening and an
extract from Rev. Charles O'teilly's
<oration follow:
Section I.-Overture.' Kathleen Ma
Evourneen," instrumental trio; introduce
Pt0ry address, Chairman Rev. NJ. p.
Golden; vocal solo, selected, Mrs. s. A.
Lockhart; Irish Melodies, instrumental
trio; defamation, James Wilson; vocal
duet, Messrs. Charles +. Orr and Will
liam Hall. Section II.-Paraphrase,
Last Rose of Summer" instrumental
trio; grafton Of the day, Rev. @. J..
O'Reilly, Of Portland, Ore; vocal solo,
selected, Mrs. George w. Manning; in
|strumental solo (fife), General James
McAuliff veteran Of the Mexican war
Pand pioneer Of the northwest); comic
sketch, Mr.. and Mrs. P. Hughes; grand
finale (march), instrumental trio.
Father O'Reilly delivered a master
full Grafton in which he sketched the
history of Ireland for 140O years, from
the time that it was first converted by
Saint Patrick. In glowing terms he
painted picture of the time when the
once proud land of the shamrock ex-
celled in all the arts-in music, poetry,
painting and architecture. He pointed
out how for centuries the little land
had been kept in state of perpetual
warfare by the invading Danes and
then by the invading NorMans. He
then referred to the centuries of per-
secution which had followed the reign
Of Henry the Eighth and said that it
Is no wonder that Irishmen have a
l'world-wide reputation as brave SOL
diers. '"The wonder Of it is" said the
speaker, mot that Irishmen have free
~ shed their blood on every battlefield
In every land, from Lexington and
Bunker Hill down to Santiago and San
Juan, but that they are as peace-loving
as we find them. How is it possible
to expect aught but heroes and brave
fighters from the descendants Of men
whose ancestors had been kept at war
for centuries to drive out invaders and
to protect their nation from being blot
TIED out? ?"
He then traced the devotion Of the
Irish nation to the Roman Catholic
~ e : u 80 t.tN + g w.