The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1906-05-19


spirit in every city and town from
Maine to California, practically liv-
ing "on the road save for fourteen
successive seasons at Manhattan
tumnal seasons at the St. Louis EN-
position and episodical Temperatures
in New York and vicinity, whenever
any great public, political or charit-
able magnet attracted his responsive
spirit. His notable occasions were so
countless that specification is 1npos-
sible. Our greatest military parades
became the signals for Gilmore ova-
tons. His jaunty military carriage,
his spirited step, his bright Irish blue
eyes smiling jovially upon the applaud
ing populacc, his martial leadership
and the peerless tact adapting his
strains to his audience. however i'll
grave or vice versa might be in sea-
son, the glitter of his gold cornet and
his wealth of jeweled medals, the mag
netism of the noble soul and honest
heart of the famous, idolized. yet simple,
spontaneous, genial, generous man of
the people. All. our Gihnore-how we
one and only Patrick Slrstield Gilmore
ANA broke the mold! His like Was not
before-even as it has not been after
him.
Gilnore's last national concert in
New York-his own conception and
v0unteered-waS given at midnight
December 81 1891, when in uuadro-
centennial celebration he marched with
his augmented band to the steps of the
City Hall and thrilled three hundred
thousand people with the harnones OF
grand national music. His Irish
.americanism was us enthusiastic as
I'LL Irish patriotism is; and his heart
great four hundredth national anni-
vers;.ry of 1892 by Il Columbian tour
of the entire American continent. With
Gilmorc's Band augmented to the UNI
prccedented numbers Of 100 famous
musicians. But p. $. Gihnore's cup of
mortal glory was full to the brinl
God summoned His faithful servant.
True, he realized his dream, Patrick
S;lrStield Gilmore, even unto the end,
failing in nothing. His one hundred
men became an established organiZa-
ton. Strangely enough. it was at
Madison Square Cumberland let this
on May 15-that t;imore's Great
Columbian Band played for its first
and, as far as New York proper Went.
its last New York season, it's leader
taking his eternal farewell of New
York in the Garden once his own Gil
more'S Garden and now by Sracious
gloriousIy thronged and honorary OF
the Gilmore memorial concert. True
his dear familiar Manhattan beach still
| na,l from him its one more season, Il
season. be it mentioned, which the
management. nobly responsive 10 pub
lie spirit. is To commemorate with q
Gilmore Memorial Day, even as nearly
every city in the country is preparin"
to supplement-. if not to rival, New
Works. great memorial concert. True
the first goal of the Columbian toui
WAS reached in st. Louis, and for two
weeks the great Gilmore conducted his
ideal band of one hundred musicians
Then the dread summons sounded, an,
Patrick sSarsfield Gilmore oheyed them
of his sudden, yet not unprepare,
death, in the grace of God through the
sacraments of the grand old Church. il.
died in peace. submiSsively as Il child
AS in truth he was. turning from on,
to the other of his two nearest ant
dearest with a mute kiss to each, thel
with Il radiant smile flashing through
the death mist dlnminy his brgh
Irish eyes. sinking To sleep in tn
Eternal Arms that almost invarilbl,
had been underneath him, from hi:
Christmas birth in Mother Ireland.
We have told much of Gilmore, an,
Vet have told nothing. \ thousand un.
spoken words press upon the hundre,
words said. His was IL live life, :, Vita
life. {, life of activity and fruition. T.,
be passive was only less impossible tc
him than to fail. He was always il
evidence, always iublantly passing
paused to look back, but pressed for
ward To new laurclS. He was no saint
With racial and temperamental weak
ncsScS ana faults as we'll as strength
ana virtues--and because he was not
above. not apart from us. but one with
us human men OF Irish blood and
American nurture we understood and
loved and valued him, even as he loved
and valued us. one and all. from great :
est to least. We have made no present
mention of his practical Faith and
Irish loyalty, which did immense mis-
Sionary work where Irish and Catholi,
youth WAS tempted by false shame. as
the opposed minority: of his profess
| Sional and nprSOOal henafart and