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

Father Kerrigan paid a fervid tribute to
sons of Erin who had been so loyal to
the church and so true to the principles
Of freedom and fought bravely for the
right.
After instrumental solos by Mr.. Har-
rington and songs by Mr.. Lynch, Frank
Deedmeyer was introduced as the orator
of the evening. Mr. Deedmeyer said:
Mr.. Deedmeyer's Speech.
Reverend Fathers, Mr.. Chairman, Ladies
and Gentlemen:
! l am glad to see so many assembled in
the city of Birmingham to do honor to the
memory of Ireland's great patron saint.
| To the stranger within our gates, we
extend a hearty welcome We greet you
with that beautiful Irish salutation, a
gefl of the old Celtic tongue: Cead milthe
falthe-a hundred thousand choruses
and welcomes to you all!
/ have been requested to respond to the
time-honored sentiment: THE Day We
Celebrate" II understand the signifi-
| canoe of this day Alright 1t has for the
sons of Erin a two-fold aspect. The fes-
tival is racial and religious.
The American nation is compound of
many people Its main ingredients are
| the Anglers axons, the Scotch-Irlsh, tile
ons. represented at the north by the sons
of the Puritans, meet there annually to
| celebrate the landing of the Mayflower
| in Plymouth harbor. On these occasions
the children of the hardy Pilgrims point
with pride to the achievements of their
fathers and we'll they mayl They have
stamped upon this continent the imprint
of genius which will endure as long as
! Plymouth Rock.
The Cavaliers.
| The descendants of the the Cavaliers,
the men who so potently helped to shape
the distinctive character Of the large do
main between the Potomac and the gulf,
NAV well direct attention to the pre-
eminent part which they have had In the
organization of free government upon
American soil. the purity with which, for
long time. they administered it, the ele-
gance of manner, the high sense of self
respect and that due consideration for
the rights of others which have ever DIS
tinguished the people of the south.
The Scotch-1rish, that tenacious race Of
colonists, confined to no particular local
aty, who helped to conquer the wilderness
and founded commemorative from the
Atlantis to the Pacific, keep alive.
through associations found in nearly ev-
cry state, the memories of those from
whom they sprang.
In the month of October in each year
there is celebrated in every city, from
ocean to ocean, the landing, more than
two hundred years ago, Of the first Ger
man colonists upon the continent. Twen-
ty-millons of Americans Of today trace
their ancestry to the Fatherand. Their
habits of industry and frugallty, their de-
sire for general education, their respect
for law and order their contributions to
what is best and highest in American civ
ilzation are then duly set forth, and the
claim is generously allowed.
The Irish.
Celtic Ireland has sent millions Of her
sons across The Atlantic. Quick of wit,
fervent, ardent lovers of the home. the
Irish have contributed most valuable
traits to the American character. The
Irishman's attachment to our form of
government has never been questioned,
ond his allegiance has received the bap-
tism of fire and blood upon every field Of
battle where American arms have con-
tended. In the texture of our common
nationality we perceive one color, promI-
nent. permanent, bright and vivid, the
emerald green.
Such is the main wool and warb OF our
national character.
We hear SO much In our day about this
being an Anglo-Saxon country. an Off
shoot, as It were of little England. This
! is nothing but O myth. fantastic crea-