The Yale expositor., 1908-03-20
BANQUET A GRAND SUCCESS
A Large Attendance, Interesting Program,
Splendid Supper and Good Feeling
Prevailed Throughout.


Splendid Supper and Good Feeling
Prevailed Throughout.
If the departed are in any way cog
infant to the transactions of this mum
dane sphere, then the venerable shade
of good st. Patrick must have looked
down with benign eye on the large
number of people, proud of being eek
lies" and his children, who graced the
festive board in Central Hall last night
and made the night glorious with that
ease which is inherent in the true Celt
Versatile to degree, no race shows
as many different phases of character
as the Irish, yet over all stands out
that happy, carefree nature mixed with
keen perceptive faculties that in years
of darkest trial has bridged many a
dark gulf which would have dlsheart-
ened a less sanguine, a less loyal or a
free race. That the descendants of the
race do not lack in any particular the
trait that made Ireland the "Land of
Saints and Martyrs" is patent to all
who know the sons and daughters of
Patrick and Bridget.
The Catholic church has ever been
blessed with the brightest Irishmen
among the clergy, but there have been
few better than the Rev. Father Me
Queen, the energetic pastor of Smiths
Creek, and simple statement of the
fact that he was there speaks plainly
for the high quality of the platform
exercises. Thrice has Father Frank
Mcqueen appeared as toastmaster in
Yale and each year increases his popu-
larity. The round on round OF ap-
plause that greeted this young priests
appearance made the hall quake.
Another Irishman and one prOmi-
nent in secular affairs in Michigan was
Hon. Patrick III. Kelley, who responded
to the toast "Our State" theme this
gentleman could and did do justice to-.
Born in Michigan and now and for
years intimately identified with its po-
litical history, Mr.. Kelley gave one of
the finest impromptu addresses ever de
livered from Yale platform and altho
many were Irish that thronged the hall
they nevertheless appreciated the
words of the speaker, by loud applause,
showing that first they were American
citizens and second Irish "eXlles' i'm
bued with love of Fatherland, mel
lowed, deepened and sweetened by past
trials, and love for their adopted land.
Mr.. Kelley is pleasing talker, whose
address did much to make the banquet
a success.
Another pleasing number was the
vocal solo by Miss May Fitzgerald, the
wellknOwn and talented musician of
this city, whose ability in the musical
line is second to none, and the applause
she received was well deserved trib-
ute to gifted daughter of the parish.
The toast "Our City" was handled by
Mayor Beavis, who in graceful Ian
guage portrayed the beauties OF Yale
and the hospitality of its people and
extended the keys of the city to Father
Culllnane and the representative body
of Irishmen before him, it being indeed
a pleasure TO welcome such men to the
city, and in behalf of this corporation
he trusted that they would often have
the pleasure of throwing open the civic
doors to the Irish, especially OH the ma
tai day of their apostle of peace, the
great st. Patrick.
No celebration of st. Patrick's Day
would be complete without the toast
The Day We Celebrate" and this year
the time-honored theme was handled
by Rev. Father Dunnigan, of Lapeer,
who in the course of his address made
the Irish proud of the fact that the
blood of Erin circulates in their veins;
and to those not born of the parent
stock he held out the palm leaf of imi
tation of the example set by the Celtic
race, since days of the noble and holy
Patrick. He reviewed extensively the
annals of the days when Patrick and
his few followers in sight of the hills
of Tara kindled fire, in defiance of pa
gan gods, and his complete conversion
of nearly the entire island i'm a few
years. He said the history of the EN-
erald Isle during this time is one of the
wonders of the world even to this day.
The faith kindled, he said, amid the
groves of Tara on that memorable day
has never been eXtinguished, but has
constantly increased with a dazzling
glow; and when, through perfidious
legislation at home, the Irish were
forced to fly to more friendly shores,
not merely smothering ember of
faith was brought with them, but
flaming brand was held on high, illum-
mating the New World.
The musical program was excellent,
embracing outside and local talent. No-
cal solos were sung by Bert Evans, Bert
Wellman, Edward Brisley, Leo Varley
and Mart Ryan, of Port Huron. which
were very pleasing to the audience. The
specially "Peters and Bernard" by Leo
Witliff and B. j. Martin called forth ap-
plause from those present. st. Stephens
Orchestra of Port Huron furnished ex
cellent music during the evening. They
were assisted by May Fitzgerald and
Chas. +. Wells of our city.
The Irish are noted for wit and last
night the auditors were treated to one
continued flow of clean humor from
the beginning to the time Father Nc