The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-11-18

What was probably the largest banquet
given by any fraternal organization in
Providence took place at the Wellington
last night, eFe~diHs the spacious rooms
OF that restaurant to the limit OF it's ca
pacity, when the knights Of Columbus OF
the state sat down with their guests.
The chief officers and guests of honor,
numbering about 30. were seated at the
head table, which was handsomely deco
rated, and the rest were accommodated
at small tables for four or eight In tho
three large rooms after the reception.
After n blessing by State Chaplain Rev.
Father iIarty the fine menu was enjoyed,
and the American band orchestra. under
the direction of Bowen r.. Church, rem
dered an excellent concert during the
banquet.
In the large dining room werc cleared
out and chairs for the whole assembly
. brought I'm for the post -prsndial eNer-
eises which were opened BY state Deputy
Matthew j. Cummings. who expressed
sreat pleasure at the large attendance,
stating that had not the sale OF tickets
been stopped the place could have been
filled twice over lie then read a letter
OF regret from Congrcsspan II. l.. ID.
Granger and William s. MsNeary OF Bos-
ton before Introducing Hon. J. J. fIeffer-
nan OF Woonsocket as toastmaster. lie
said; Tho first toast this evening will
be. The Roman Catholic church. our
church, the greatest conservative force I'm
the world Iupholding law, morality and
chaplain, Rev. John J. Harty
Rev. Father Harty said in part:
thank you for the warm reception
YOU have given me this evening. and
bishop was unable TO respond 10 this
toast as he was called out OF town. How
ever. 7 should be unfaithful to my mother
church should 7 fail To respond TO this
toast She met me AZ my birth and has
attended me through the various burdens
Of life. and will pronounce the requiem
a. II.
tory we see kings falling and sceptres
falling from the palsied hands of those
who held them. Yet we zee the church
standing ever strong, for there Is but
one truth.
NUMBERS 2si.5cco.
Today her population is counted at over
es4 10000 people. and she will continue to
flourish and go on for all time And this,
not because she lis an organization but
because she is living organism. We
have In the United States today 100000
Catholics, differing In nationality but
finding a home in the church
so | saythat the Roman Catholic
church Is the greatest asslmlating force
in the world today. You. brother Knights,
have a work to perform In this assimilat-
ing force. Meet these men as they come
TO our shores and induce them TO Join
your councils. The Catholic church today
Is the right arm OF the state, holding back
anarchy and lawlessncss. Brilliant and
beautiful. she stands out among all the
churches today, performing her work
with steadfastness and faith"
The toastmsster then said: when
man is elected three times successively 10
the head OF the order, we know IL cannot
be accident, but is due TO merit and abil-
ity." The next toast IL The Knights OF
columbus" Response by Supreme knight
Edward l.. Hearn.
u should fall In my duty tonight II
should not offer 10 the Rhode Island
Knights the hearty greetings OF myself
and the brother Knights OF the country.
Surely there Is no organization In which
the bonds OF friendship are more closely
drawn or more closely cemented than
that under whose auspices we meet to- |
night The fraternsl spirit herein mani |
tested is unequalled In any other organi- |
zation. Where Is the brother whose voice |
will not be raised In this worthy senti- !
ment? An over this country. go where /
You viii. and ask any member what the
Knights OF Columbus are, and YOU will !
receive the answer that they are the |
greatest order I'm Catholic laiety that the !
world has ever known. IL comprehends all |
the ways OF being useful and beneficial 10 |
one another that could be desired. The |
strength OF the ties that bind us are three |
and We are also hound by the ties of the I
ono true religion. Bound by such ties. l
what greater force for good could there |
bc? We'll may we pause and ask who /
these knights OF Columbus may be.
EVERY REASON TO RE PROUD.
THE next toast" Mr.. Herernan stated.
rs TO the state of Rhode Island. We I
may cr'tcise its institutions. but we will !
allow no one else TO do 80. our state:
L H.. not necessary 10 be the largest I'm
order to bc the best" Response by His
Excecncy Governor Lucius r. G. Gar
Yin.
Governor Garyin said: ~ thought /
should say something about insurance. hut
find my remarks have been mapped out
'or me. Although the least. I have al
Ways felt that We are the best. During |
he past six months when Il has been
'harged that ! have DETAINED the state
have often felt that I ought 10 say
What | am about % say now. hut II
cemed as II II might hn taken that I
vas Offering an opology for having de-
AIMED the state. To attempt TO remove
he baruacles is not 10 damage the ship
f state. We have reason so be proud OF
'ur state. We have reason to be proud OF
ts origin. TO he proud Of our Institutions
md our industries
"rhe men who Join tho knights OF Co
umbus arc not wealthy men; they are
( the middle class who have made Rhode