The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1904-03-18
Fun and Orators At
the Progress
Hall.

st. Patrick's disciples turned out in
force at the celebration arranged for
them by the Ancient Order of Hiber-
mans at Progress Hall last evening.
The entertainment provided was in
every way worthy of the day The
hall was tastefully decorated with flags
and bunting in which the Irish color
predominated, while palms and greens
were also brought into play in the
decorative scheme.
On the platform sat the speakers,
Governor Carter, Father James, Sec
rotary Atkinson. Father Valentin.
John C. Lane and others.
The evenings program was opened
with a few remarks by the president of
the order. He detailed in brief the OBJ
jects and aims of the A. o. H, it's
charity, friendship, etc. Rev. Father
Valentin followed with song,
-Asthore,' which was cordially re-
ceived.
"ST. PATRICK
Father James spoke of ST. Patrick,
the man and saint. He said that st.
Patrick was the greatest and best man
that ever lived. Every nation had it's
heroes, the American people revered the
of George Washington, the
Irish people had an even better right
to honor st. Patrick, who had relieved
his people of something worse than
slavery, from a spiritual bondage, and
had lifted the cloud of darkness and
ignorance which had for centuries been
hanging over the island. Father James
also gave an interesting sketch of the
life of ST. Patrick and related the legend
of how he had driven the snakes from
Ireland.
Father Valentain sang again, Home,
Sweet Home"
ATKINSON AND THE IRISH.
Secretary Atkinson was next intro
duced and said that he welcomed this
first opportunity to meet the sons and
daughters of old Ireland.
He said he didn't know there were
SO many Irish in Honolulu until he had
seen them all gathered in one han. He
said that Ireland was noted for its
commerce and shipping, and also for
the fact that there wasn't a spot on
the island twenty-five miles from the !
sea. BY this he didn't mean that the |
Irish were particularly fond of water, |
for they also liked their Irish whisky, |
ginger ale, and Dublin stout |
Wherever they are" said Mr.. Atkin- |
son, however far away from their |
native land, the Lrishmen have a deep
md abiding love for old Ireland. They |
make the best of colonists and are al |
ways true to the soil They give freely |
Of their brilliant intellect. Six presi- |
dents boast of their Irish blood and in |
ington and others are counted among |
hose who owe their success to their |
IRISH ancestry
Mr.. Atkinson said that two-thirds of |
he Irishmen who leave Ireland settle
n America. He told of their success
n New York and said, 1.-The worst
hing 1 can say about the Irish is that
early all of them are democrats" He
aid also that the I-ishmen loved a fight
md remarked that Ireland had fought
very nations battle but her own.
Mr.. NJ. Patton entertained the audi
nee vastly with his songs and recita-
ions and was compelled to respond to
he enthusiastic encore.
CARTER TALKS.
Governor Carter was also persuaded
0 say a few words and opened by say
ng that Mr.. Atkinson had forgotten
he most prominent characteristic of
he Irishmen, his propensity for bulls,
is wit and his good nature, which had
made him famous the world over. The
GOVERNOR related several Irish bulls
-hich brought forth uproarious APP
lause. He said that every nation
wed a debt of gratitude to Ireland or
ONE Irishman and if we stop to think
very individual also is indebted to the
rish. NO peopl@ are more willing to
elp," concluded the Governor. Their j.,
lost prominent trait is 1 believe the !,
Ourage of the Irishman and the devo- l
on of the Irishwoman."
The literary program was followed
y ball in which hundreds participant I
j, many coming from the banquet \
ter. Shortly after eleven o'clock sup {
ar was served, the dance ending early +
lis morning with an Irish jig and an {
'ish reel