Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-18
Bishop Conaty's Address.

Bishop Conaty's Address.
Bishop Conaty spoke in part, as follows:
''The same spirit which had actuated the
Irish people during the centuries that have
passed fills them at the present with hope
and observation-disclosures in the justice Of
the cause of. Ireland, and determination to
work toward the unity of the race, by
which the liberties of the OLD land may at
last be regained.
'Ireland's struggle for self-government
appeals to all lovers Of liberty. 1t is no
longer necessary, especially before
American audience, to urge the justice OF
her claims. The story Of her place In the
education Of the world, the unchangfng
and Interchangeable loyalty of her children
to the religious traditions Of the race, the
neyer-ceasing protest against allen rule,
and the undying cry for liberty have won
for the Irish people the admiration of all
men who love justice and hate iniquity.
Thinking men are not surprised that the
Irish exile loves his native land, and with
the enthusiasm Of patriotism would gladly
give his blood for her freedom. They find
it hard to understand the keeping alive of
the fires Of hate for the alien government
and it's Ubiquitous laws, and these fires
burn more brightly as generation after gen.
wrongs of thousand years are in our
blood today. and as we enjoy the benefits
Of freedom we read the history of our
race and the wrongs rankle all the more
and our manhood forces us to demand that
the land of our race and faith come into
its own again. Men forget that several
generations have passed in breaking down
the walls of prejudice against us, because
our tyrants had written ifiiterate by
choice. improvident by nature, idolatrous
in religion, incapable of self-government,
and fit only for the mental duties of life
"As result of misrue and persecution
the Irish merged into many nations, but
never lost the love for Erin. In free Amer
lea they have done their duty as freemen.
Loving the new land while not forgetting
the old, they have learned more thoroughly
the lesson Of liberty, and day by day be-
come more convinced of the right Of their
race to govern itself in Erin. We are
Americans ever. but Celts we can never
cease to be. Love for Ireland Is love for
the mother, and can only tend to make
them better American citizens. because of
the value placed upon what America has
done for them. May God bless America!
May God bless old Ireland and may jus-
ttce prevail. that Ireland may be what
America is-the land Of the free and the
home Of the brave"
Universal Celebration Of the Day.
DR.. Conway said that Of all persons he
thought none was more competent than he
to speak Of ST. Patrick The birthplace
Of Patrick and his own were but short
distance apart and though many would
not consider that a great distinction. 1t
was enough, he said, for him. He spoke
Of the universal celebration of this day
in the world. and said that in nearly every
large town on earth Irishmen were gath
cred to express their undying hope for
free Ireland. He gave great credit to DR..
Conaty Tor the work he has achieved in
reconciling the people Of New England
10 the struggle of the Irish for liberty, and
said the senior senator from Massachusetts
had said that Dr.. Conaty had won him
over completely.
He believed that st. Patrick was the
founder Of the unity Of the Irish people.
a ia In Tric
day the teachings Of st. Patrick He said
that though 1t is not given to mortal man
to prophesy. he thought he saw the hand
writing On the walls of Bloomfontein, Lady
smith and Mafeking indicating the disso-
luton of England
Irishmen as Soldiers.
Mr.. Rosa F. Downing spolse Of the Irish
soldier in American wars.
Before the Mayflower landed at Plym-
outh Rock-nay. before Columbus ever
dreamed tina. the earth was round or
that another world existed beyond the
seas. an Irish soldier in the army of
Christ had erected the cross OF salvation
don. it is said. DESTROYS of finding new
worlds to conquer and bring under the
sway OF Christianity. many years before
the discovery OF America by the Span
territory of the United States. Be this
as 1t may 1t Is beyond dispute or cavil
that Irtshmen took an important part in
defending the colonies centuries before the
revolution against the attacks OF the red
men. for Irish names among the soldiery
bear indubitable proof Of their presence
Thus you see our ancestors were willing
to shed their blood for Americas sake,
although the persecution which compelled
them to forsake their native land had fol-
lowed them across the water: but an Irish
man never fails to respond to the cal, OF
duty when his hearth and home are threat
ened by an invading foe"
The Morning Services.
Earlier In the day there were elaborate
services In the church of St Aloysfus