The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1903-03-20
The CE[T, AT
HOME AND
ABROAD
Father MuIhane Paid an
Eloquent Tribute to the
Irish Race.


The occasion was truly appropriate
Tuesday evening. when Father l.. w.
Mulhane, OF Mt. Vernon, delivered a
lecture on the celt, at home and
aboard. The lecture was given at st.
Johns and was the fourth of Sc
ries Of entertainments given this
season at that church.
AS he expressed 1t, Father Mulhane
was the celt abroad and Father Nc
Guire the celt at home. II is needless
to add that the initials of Father
Mulhane's name did not stand for
long winded.
The auditorium OF the church was
filed with appreciative listeners.
Father Mulhane is recognized as one
of the most eloquent priests in the
state, and his lecture afforded ample
proof of this. Some of his striking
utterances follow:
so long as the fields Of Erin shall
wave their pillows OF green; SO long
as old ocean shall break upon her
Shores so long as her sons and
daughters, and her grandchildren
shall continue brave and generous,
that long shall 1rishmen forget their
cares now and then to turn their
thoughts to the land Of their birth.
That land, mention Of whose name
calls to mind Of elders scenes OF
childhood, to younger ones kindred
and birthplace of their forefathers,
and above all the holy faith that we
cling to- And happy indeed is the
exile who can return once more to his
native land, stroll over her daisy
clad fields, gaze into the limpid wa
ters OF her beautiful lakes, or on o.d
st. Patrick's hill. The most beauti-
ful scenes in the world, made by God
himself, have made the most gener-
ous, the most eloquent, and the best
all round people Of every nation, for
II is a sad fact that only abroad rs
the Irishman permitted to be happy
aud Nrosperous."
ITS HISTORY.
With this brief introduction, Faith
er Mulhane told something of the
history OF Ireland. TT is 1400 years -
aaid he, Since st. Patrick came to
ireland, bringing the gospel The iso-
lated position of the island did not
attract the rapacity of greed OF the
pic were cursed by their own brutal
savagery. Patrick came to these pec-
ple. preached to them the gospel, and
in the shortest time on record. his
tory tells us Ireland became a Chris
tian nation. The religious annals OF
other nations have been filled with
records of bloody martyrdom but not
70 with Ireland. st. Patrick's dying
prayer was that the nation might
keep its faith, and that prayer has
been answered time and again, when
despite bloody persecution, men and
women Of Ireland have held TO their
faith even In the face Of starvation.
And 1t is q surprising fact that over
two-thirds Of the people of Europe re-
ccived the Christian religion from
Irish apostles.
THE GREAT CHARACTERISTIC.
"I'hat is the greatest characteristic
of the celt at home and abroad. And
while we are 60 happy tonight.
must recall those 800 years Of perse-
cutions, when whole families died by
the roadside and in their homes
when bread in plenty was offered
thom if they would give up their
faith. But they refused bread with
the words. No, my immortal soul
first, my body afterward.' Is 1t any
wonder Ireland's sons and daughters
are aroused to love their land when
these incidents are recalled?
"Ireland's sons, then, have earned
the title of martyr, they have earned
the title OF apostle. The world over
ihe Irishman has ever been found the
lover of religion and liberty. The
shamrock of Irish history Is love ol
God, love of country and love OF liber.
ty.
ST. PATRICK'S DAY.
an American history, some of the
grandest names are those Of Irish
men. Why do we keep st. Patrick's
day? For the same reason that VIC
keen Fourth of July, and one man has
put 1t IL 1t hadn't been for the Irish
men, there might not now be any
Fourth OF July. Custis, the stepson o
Washington. said soon after. the END
Of the revolution. Let the shamrocl
he entwined with the stars and stripes
and when the pen comes to write thu
history of America, let 1t recor'
above all the deeds OF the sons o
Erin"
INCIDENTS OF HISTORY.
Father Mulhane then recited SOM
Of the incidents of American history
in which Irishmen figured-Carroll, o
Carrollton, the signer of the Declara
tiou OF Independence. the last survi
yor OF that immortal galaxy OF men
Then he told of the many patriotic
deeds OF the sons of Erin. Genera
Shields. in the Mexican and civi
wars. General Rosecrans. Phil Sheri
dan, and said. 1--WE love these page
Of history on every one of which i
the shamrock"
Next came some OF the inclination
OF the Irishman toward rapartee ant
wit. -2-l
IRISH WIT.