New-York tribune., 1902-08-21
ST. PATRICK.
TIE CELEBRATION OF THE SAINTS DAY
IN AMERICA.

york and other American Places I7875S11ii pb1ise
John D. Crimn,ins. Octave. pp 0o--
by the Author
NJ c-,~,,,ns has made minute and enthus1-
..,,, e+ndv as a contribution to the story OF
Oh. settlement of the children OF lreiano III
America which, as he truly says. is now receiN-
ing much and long needed attenuoh- 11io MP
that his account Of the early Irlsh socie'ie' ~
their celebrations in honor OF lrelanos PAIN
.ain+ and Of the spirit Of the times as expresseo
in the toasts and sentiments that enllNeheo tie
occasions may throw many interesting sue
r,.+s o- The history of the Irish IN America Is
agreeably fulfilled The first record of a 81 at
-scl,s Dav celebration in America is found IN
7737 when the Charitable Irish Society was
founded in Boston by a number OF Irish Prot
estants for the special purpose Of relieving thelr
moor and INDECENT Countrymen without any
r1es;e1 of not contributing toward the Provision
of the Town Poor in general as usual 1heS
had a Quaint fornaIity Of delivering silver Keys
with the arms of Ireland thereon to gehtleiiieh
and others natives of Ireland or OF lrlsh eA-
traction" as an invitation to contribute to l"e
society. The religious qualification was pTooa-
bly, early repealed. and Roman Cathohcs were
-,e-,,i+red m become members. The society eA-
fste to-day. and the greater part OF the lnel4i'
are Catholics. In 11G6 ST. Patrick's Lodge OF
which the noted Sir William Johnson, natiVe
os rountv Meath, Ireland. was the first master
,rrouhle was not absent from some Of the carry
celebrations of the day There is an interesting
instance of this at Valley Forge. in 1I'S;
Some trouble makers in the army, il appears
sought 20 have little fun al the expense u 80 -
Irish by indulging in antics OF soaier ar1G9e
tba Irish in the camp and row ehsueu-
washington appeared On the scene anu hiliu.S
end feeiinglv argued with them, ptonlSl..s 70
nnnisb the parties who had given offence II l'le
fetfer were shown to him It was on TINS 90 "a
sion that Washington is stated 10 LaNe say; r., -
too am q lover Of 81. Patrick .dS. -
there was an extra issue OF 'grog TO the i aIiI-S
s-and thus all made merry ana were S0ou
friends"
Washington has left other records Of his sym
pathy with the Irish and their patron saint
while the army was at MorristoWn ne lssueN
an order. on the day before the saints DAY IN
1850 congratulating the army on lhe Ee1H AZ
.eresting proceeding Of the Parliament OF ire
,.r5 calculated 10 remove burdens from trade
~.s+ore 4heir ancient rights to a brave ana gen
.rous neople and promote the cause OF America
and so he orders that all fatigue and WORKING
parties cease on the morrow Another oiuti
,royidea for the issue Of "a little rum" TO the
army on the same day.
The earliest record Of a celebration OF NaItH
" in New-York City dates from 1I62; but MI
Crinrnins is persuaded that the annl' eIsalS Soy
-as observed much earlier here Dououess
s,rine the administration Of Governor Donsan'
o, irish Catholic, observances were held. De
tween 1853 and 1858. But on the saints Gay IN
1852 there was a public announcement OF d cele-
hration .at the house of Nj John Marshal'
st Mount Pleasant. near the college; gentlemen
that pIease TO attend will meet with the pest
usage" And the best usage" has been pre'd-
lent ever since at St Patrlcks ceIepIaIIo III
Nev-York. The very detailed accounts OF the
-. ,ronortant and striking Of these celebra-
.,or. fiji many Of Mr. Crimminss pages He
gives MANY Of the toasts, and not the least I'M
-,or+ant mart of his book is the series OF DO
erapbical sketches of men mentioned In the pook
as participating in or in some way connected
with these celebrations. II implies mucn care
ful and painstaking research