The Irish standard., 1904-08-27
His Splendid Services in the Cause of Ireland
Finingly Recognized by the Ma
tionalist Party.
Addresses by MIR. Blake, John E. Redmond.
Patrick O'Brien, T. P. O'Connor
and Other Members.

The Irish Parliamentary party enter
tained Mr.. Edward Blake at q ban
quet in one Of the dining rooms of the
house OF commons recently as tribute
OF their appreciation of his magnificent
services to the Irish cause. Mr.. John
%. Redmond, chairman Of the party,
presided. Among those present were
Messrs. Abraham, Ambrose, Boland,
Burke, Campbell, Clancy, Condor, Cul-
lln;tn, Delany, @. A. Devlin, J. Devlin,
Donclan, Dugan, Farrell, Flavin,
Flynn, Hammond, Hayden, Kennedy,
Joyce, Kilbride, Law, Leamy, Lundon,
MacNeill, MacVeagh, McIIugh, Nc
kean, McKillop, Mooney, Murphy,
Minnette, Nolan, ]. Il. X. O'Brien, X.
d. OBrien, 2. O'Bricn, T.. ]. O'Bricn,
j. OConnor, I. T. O'Connor, O'Dowd,
J. ]. O'Kelly, O'Mallcy, O'Shaughncs-
sy, O'Shee, Power and Shcehy.
John Dillon and many other mem
bers of the party sent letters of regret
for their inability to be present.
JOHN REDMOND ON MIR. BLAIxE's
SERVICES TO IRELAND.
Mr.. J. Redmond, in proposing toast
to Mr. Blake, said: rise to perform
one Of the plcasantest duties that has
fallen to my lot since have occupied
the position of chairman of this party.
| rise for the purpose of proposing the
toast Of our guest, Mr.. Blake (cheers)
L do so with the feeling that the
greatest pleasure, the greatest pride,
and yet with some feelings of cmbar-
rassmcnt. For me to have even the
appearance of praising Mr.. Blake would
be almost an impcrtincnce. Mr.. Blake
is man who has filled one of the
greatest positions open to any man Of
intellect in Canada. His record in
that country is to this day one of the
proudcst possessions Of that free and
great community (chccrs). or the rec
ord, full Of honor to Canada and to
Mr.. Blake, won't presume to say any,
thing except just this: He was all
through his career in Canada an out
spoken friend of the liberties of Ire
land (checrs). Mr.. Blake came to this
country ut a period of exceptional diff
Guilty and danger to the Irish cause
(chccrs.) He did not come here as n
fair weather fricnd-hc came in Il time
Of stress and storm. When he came
here he found scething tumult from
end to end Of Ireland.
1t was into such scene that Mr..
Blake came. Into the midst of this
heated personal controversy, may be
allowed to say, he brought an unques-
tened impartiality, transparent dis
intercstedncss, and calm judgment,
which were absolutely invaluable to
Ireland, at the time, which, in the end,
contributed far more tIlan ne thought
the Irish people entirely realized to the
reunion which was brought about
(cheers), and today in the councils of
the Irish party Mr.. Blake's wisdom
and foresight are perhaps our most
valuable asset. In our debates he con-
fcrs distinction upon every course that
he advocates, and, finally, he has found
his way into the affections of the Irish
party Cloud cheers. Ireland is proud
Of Mr.. Blake, and the party is proud
OF him (cheers). Every man in the
party has learned to love him, and 1
will be conveying your sentiments
when say that we wish him long life
and happiness, and hope that he may
live to work for Ireland amongst the
colleagues who have grown not only
to respect and love him until his eyes
have seen the triumph of the cause to
which he is devoted (cheers).
MIR. BLAKE'S SPEECH.
Mr.. Blake, who was received with
cheers, said: Mr.. Chairman, and kind
and dear friends and comrades, pres
ent and absent, regard what has hap
pcned now as the eliminating proof of
the kindness and generosity of heart
which you and the Irish people have
exhibited toward me ever since 1 came
amongst you. Mr.. Redmond, what
makes this testimonial of yours with
out example In my career Is that 1