The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1905-03-25
WEST DULUTH.
Fine st. Patrick's Day Celebration in
St. James Parish.


| Wednesday evening of last week, to
listen to the st. Patrick's day enter
tainmcnt given by st. James parish
and principally to hear the lecture on
"Ireland" delivered by Rev. Father
Jleary Of Minneapolis. Those who have
heard Father Cleary will realize with
out it being said that his lecture was
full Of information and eloquence. Fa-
| ther Eleary, not only as platform
speaker, but as man, has magnetic
personality. His we'll proportional,
| erect figure, strong features and sill
very hair mark him as handsome, and
| the twinkle of his eyes shows the hui
man interest in his makeup and gives
| one the desire to know him better He
is one Of the most eloquent of men and
possessed of keen sense of humor,
he is enabled to give his addresses that
subtle touch which helps to brighten
and enforce his remarks.
A fine musical program was given
pNAoAC <tllu AoliON luS Idluei Sleafy,
and the various numbers were heartily
encored. The program was opened by
a quartet consisting of Mrs. r. Hay
den, Miss Il. Martin, j. Lauermlnn
and NJ. j. Filiatrault, singing loft in
| the Silly Night" This was followed
10y Il charming soprano solo, "My Little
Colleen" by Miss Edith Cashin. Then
Come Back to Erin" was sung by NJ.
J. Filiatrault and Mrs. Leo Ball sang
| ''Kerry Dance and was enthusiastic
ally encored.
Following the lecture Miss Clara
Kenny sang kathleen Mavourneen,"
Miss Effie Brothcrton recited effective
ly, and Mrs. Ball sang believe Me- if
All These Endearing Young Charms"
which was followed by a chorus, ia
ra's Harp" by st. James choir.
Father Cleary opened his address by
telling several stories to illustrate the
characteristics of the Irish and fol-
lowed this with tribute to the loyal
ty and long and patient suffering of
the Irish for their country, eloqucntly
paying his respects to such characters
as Robert Emmett. He declared that
the story Of Ireland is that of the most
dreadful tragedy of the worlds his
tory, a story of persecution, systematic
wrongs and oppression. The fortitude
courage, loyalty, persistence and pa
thence displayed by the Irish race has
enlisted at once the sympathy and ad-
miration of the whole civilized world
Father Cleary traced the development
of the civilization in Ireland, which be-
gan with the advent of st. Patrick.
Said he:
"a thousand years before the print
ing press was established, thousand
years before America was discovered
st. Patrick was sent to ireland by St.
Peters successor at Rome, to convert
and civilize the Celtic people He was
met with open arms, so to speak. There
was no opposition, for the Irish race
accepted the doctrine of Christ gladly.
Their conversion was marked by no
bloodshed and no martyrs were sacri-
feed for their religion. Ireland won
the name throughout the Christian
world at that time Of being the island
Of saints and Christians When Rome
fell, Ireland was the only spot left
| where Christians could look for safety
and consolation in the religious world
Irish missionaries were sent out to
spread the light Of the gospel of
Christ throughout the world. They
visited all parts of the continent,
and today their names are emblazoned
in all Of the old great universities of
Europe. Recently there has been
started a so-callcd revival of Irish
study, a study of the Gaelic language
and customs. The basis for this study
has been found in German schools
where records of tho Irish missionaries
ana scholars are still kept and priced.
Ireland deserved credit for really being
the mother of lf-government, for in
| those dire times, when Rome was over
run by savage hordes, Ireland was the
only civilized country. The Irish were
pioneers in the field Of self-governmcnt,
and yet it is said even today that they
are unfit to govern themselves
"Ireland's troubles began in 100 A.
d., when the Vikings invaded the
island. Following that the country
was overrun with the Danes until 1914,
when Brian Boru defeated them and
drove them out. Then came local
strife between petty kings and princes,
and in 1854 Henry II. Of England, the
second Of the Plantagenet line, sent
force to invade Ireland to pacify the
Irish people, but met with strong and
determined opposition by a united pco-
pie, the kings and princes Of the
island dropping their local differences
and uniting against the common enc
my. The Irish princes claimed then,
and the people have ever since claimed
the right of self-government without
outside interference. So strong and
fierce was the opposition to the English
invasions that the foothold they did
gain was only on it's shores, the in
terror never being invaded. No Eng
| fish king until the notorious and dis
graceful Henry VIII. dared proclaim