The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-23
IRISH HISTORY IS THEME OF ORATORY Ancient Order of HibernianS
 Celebrate Wolfe Tone SEVERAL SPEECHES MADE Mir. Monks Gives Some Interesting Facts Concerning the History of Great People Who Have Long
 Struggled for Freedom.
SEVERAL SPEECHES MADE

The Ancient Order of Hihernians of Jet- ferson county celebrated the anniversary of Wolfe Tone and the Manchester Mar tyrs in the Knights of Columbus hall last night.
 It was the largest and most enthusias- tic meeting held in this city in a long time and the spirit and fervor of the speakers met with an equally responsive feeling In the audience.
 The chair was occupied by William Grady, whose opening remarks made the audience acquainted with the purpose for which they were assembled and he called upon James OHare, who sang "The Minstrel Boy'' in which he was accom- panied by Miss Clarke on the piano.
 Mir. Monks Speaks.
 MT Monks spoke of the Fenian move ment, giving a short but pithy history of the struggles of the Irish people for their freedom extending over period of twelve centuries The Danes for three hundred years had a foothold in Ireland but were eventually driven out by Brian Bour at the memorable battle of Clon- .arf, and the Saxons for over seven hum fred years have only maintained their occupation of the country at the point If the bayonet. The story of Ireland is a tragedy of a thousand years in which lime heroes have arisen whose names ,mblazen the pages of history and con- ypicuous among them are the names or the three martyrs. Allen, Larlin and O'Brien, who were executed In Manches- ter in 1867.
 Hon Sterling A. Wood spoke feelingly and eloquently of Irish patriotism, and illustrated his address with a very pa- thetic story of good old southern moth CT who for thirty years awaited her sons return from the war and who had fallen and was buried in Virginia.
 Frank Deedmeyer's address, on the Celtic language was a rare treat. He traced the Celtic people back to the great Aryan stock from which has sprung Caucasian civilization At a time," said he "when the Britons were barbarians and spoke a barbarous jargon, the Irish had a cultivated language, a polite literature and codified laws. While the Britons were using stone implements the lr1Sh were wearing orHdmeHtS ol eH- graved bronze and gold.
 The Land of Scholars.
 "Ireland was known as Insula sane forum ct doctrinorum the land of saints and scholars This is the country from which you, ladies and gentlemen, have sprung, and well may you be proud of it.
 Hugh McGeever spoke on Hibernianism and called upon the Irish to rally to the aid of Ireland now in this supreme mo- ment of her existence. Unite and organ Ize for this grand effort" said he. we who enjoy prosperity and liberty under the Stars and Stripes should remember our kinsmen who are being crushed under the Union Jack and come to their rescue. We hear the cry for help, let us aid them and do it at once"
 The chairman invited Father Meurer to come on the platform, and in response to a call, said that he was building a church and asked the assistance of his friends. This" said Father Meurer, 'is the ninth church I have built to the service of God and he hoped to leave 1t free of debt before he died.''
 The chairman called upon W. M. NJ. singing God Save Ireland" in which all present joined with heartfelt zeal. A vote of thanks to Messrs. Sterling Wood and Frank Deedmeyer concluded the ex- ercises.