The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-03-18

Thus, globe-encircling. universal, rise on
high the jubilatlons to st. Patrick.
Brilliant Names.
Search the pages of history sacred and
profane, recite the long list of her bril-
liant names-Leonidas and Alexander,
Hannibal and Caesar, Mohamed and
Charlemange; st. Augustine, St Boni-
face, Luther and Calvin, Richelieu and
Cromwell Marlborough and the grand
monarch of France, Napoleon and We'll
lington, Washington and Lincoln, Bis
marck and Gladstone, and give me- If
you can, from this galaxy of illustrious
men. the name of one who is so remem-
bered and revered in every land, where
civilized man does dwell. In this respect,
singular, unapproached, grand and sub
lime, stands the figure of st. Patrick.
No other day is so observed except the
18th of December.
1t was his life and example that inspir-
ed the Celtic missionaries who went forth
and Christianized the northern world; 1t
was his teaching. his Christianity, that
was accepted in Ireland, in Scotland, in
Wales and in England, centuries before
st. Augustine undertook his mission to
the Angles and to the Saxons. 1t was
his spirit that laid the foundation of
those splendid seats of learning and plety
that became the refuge of the scholars
end saints from every portion of Europe.
His missionaries went into France, into
Germany and one of mis- disciples ST Gall,
set the cross high on the Alps in that
canton which still bears his name He
had found Ireland a pagan land He
made II the inaula sanctorum, the insula
doctorum.
Iron Heel of Tyranny.
And this condition continued to exist
N ireland until the iron heel of tyranny
paralyzed the proud spirit of a generous
people. Henry's hordes came, the wheels
of progress were ruthlessly stopped, the
ancient seats of learning closed, and ev-
cry manifestation of race and nationality
punished as a crime. For more than
seven hundred years England has at
tempted to force her rule upon a peo-
pie who love liberty with passion never
yet comprehended by a tryant
English rule for Ireland was conceived
in hatred, written in blood and enforced
with the sword. For centuries the Irish
man has suffered and endured the coll
lected hate and wrong of his oppressors.
He has died in the field, swung from the
gibbet, rotted In the dungeon, but he and
his race are as Irish today as when
Saxon first came to conquer.
Your fathers have proved themselves
worthy sons of the old soil Wherever
distinguished themselves. Who won En-
glands proudest victories upon the bloody
fields Of France, from Poitiers and Agin-
court to Waterloo? 1t was the hand that
played the harp. From the sad day when
Sarsfield and his followers expatriated
themselves, the Irish have fought with
valor upon almost every battlefield. Not
in the field alone, but in the cabinets and
at the council boards of other nations.
the voice of the son of Erin has been po-
tent. 1 need to remind this audience only
of Marshall O'Donnell. who ruled the
destinies of Spain in the COS; of Field
Marshal Mcmahon, who directed the
| civil affairs of France in the '7os; of
| Court Taafe, who governed the Austro-
| Hungarian empire in the sos, and but
a few years ago there sat at Westmin
| ster, clothed in the judicial ermine. Lord
| Russell, chief justice of England, an
| Irish Roman Catholic.
In Letters of Gold.
These are a few facts written in letters
| of gold upon the pages of history, which
| the bigotry of a F'roude cannot dim, and
| the polish of a Macauly is powerless to
obliterate.
| Well may you, the spiritual children
| of ST. Patrick, rejoice in the fame of the
| great patron saint and apostle, the sub
!, lime figure that has stood for genera
| lions and will stand for ages yet to
| come as a beacon light that Eliminates
for millions the earthly path that leads
| to a higher life above.
| Let his memory be treasured by all
| good men, boon to humanity, an in
| centive to virtue and an anchor of hope
| in the life to come. The good and the
great belong to all countries, to all ages
| Space cannot confine them, nationality
| is too narrow to hold them, they are
] Gods chosen guides that lead us and con-
| duct us into higher spheres.
| Nations and races shall rise and decay,
| ages roll down the pathway of time, but
| the memory OF St Patrick-it will endure
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